Peritonitis in cats - symptoms, types, treatment

Feline infectious peritonitis (or FIP for feline infectious peritonitis) is a severe infectious disease that most often ends in death. The causative agent of the disease is RNA coronavirus (FCoV). In cats, two strains of this virus can occur, which are very pathogenic and dangerous: FIPV (feline infectious peritonitis virus) and FECV (feline enteric coronavirus).

FECV and FIPV are closely related strains of the same virus that cannot be separated by conventional means and stimulate similar antibody/antigenic responses, but there are significant biological differences between them. This difference allows many cats to be carriers of the coronavirus while remaining healthy, but only one or two mutations of the coronavirus (FECV) become the deadly FIP virus, which is able to replicate itself in macrophages (white blood cells) and thus spread throughout the animal's body .

Fortunately, the likelihood of converting FECV to FIPV is quite low. Today there are two theories explaining the probable causes of this process:

Classical theory. Supporters of this version believe that mutation can only occur in special cases. In this case, the relationship between age, physiological state of the body, living conditions and genetics plays an important role. This theory is indirectly confirmed by the sporadic and local nature of cases of degeneration of virus strains.
The theory of "hot tension". There is a version that different strains circulate in nature, some of which may be “unstable”, initially prone to restructuring. This theory may help explain random outbreaks of the disease, during which infectious peritonitis sometimes affects quite a large population (in nurseries, shelters). There is no exact evidence of the validity of this assumption yet.

an enlarged abdomen in a cat with infectious peritonitis.
FECV and FIP viruses coexist in the environment, and cases of infectious peritonitis occur several months later among cats that have been infected with coronavirus in a population clear of other types of infections.

The FECV coronavirus is transmitted primarily through feces and the oral route (through litter trays and shared bowls). The spread of the virus by airborne droplets is considered unlikely. There is also evidence of transmission of infection from mother to kittens through the placenta. Kittens, young animals under 2 years of age and old cats are most susceptible to the disease due to weakened immunity. The incubation period is 2-3 weeks. Infected animals may remain carriers of the virus for several weeks, or perhaps months. The virus is quite persistent and can remain active indoors for several weeks or even months. But it is easily destroyed under the influence of ordinary disinfectants and detergents. Virus particles can survive for several weeks in a tray or porous floor.

Description of the disease

FIP in cats is an infection of the intestines and peritoneum. The disease is extremely dangerous for animals, the chances of survival are low. If a sick pet interacts with other cats, there is a risk of infection, although not all contacts become ill.

The main symptoms of viral peritonitis in cats are abdominal pain, refusal of food and water, lethargy and rapid deterioration of the condition. Even if the owner contacts a veterinarian in a timely manner, the chance of death of the animal remains high, and this is the main danger of peritonitis.

The exact causes of the disease have not yet been clarified. It is known that feline peritonitis is caused by the feline variety of coronavirus, which mutates under the influence of stress, change of environment or other harmful factors. Before mutation, the virus can remain in the body of an infected animal for several months or years. The mechanisms of mutation of a non-dangerous virus into the causative agent of a fatal disease have not been established.

Causes of the disease

Depending on the type of disease, there are several types of peritonitis in cats. Each of them has its own statistics of cured and dead animals. It is worth paying special attention to the causes of infections and bacteria in order to protect and protect your pet as much as possible.

Infectious form

It affects the abdominal cavity due to the ingress of urine, bile or blood into it. Often the cause is stagnation of feces in the intestines and the appearance of microcracks, through which various types of substances can enter the blood and then be transferred to the abdominal cavity. This type is somewhat different from the others because it manifests itself in some additional aspects. The pet becomes very thirsty, but still refuses to take any food.

Increased weakness, and not just decreased activity along with fever, simply affects the animal.

The pet not only feels unwell, but also constantly lies and does not respond. Often this type is accompanied by severe pain in the peritoneum.

Preventive measures against infectious peritonitis can be considered the exclusion from the cat’s diet of any food that can damage the intestines and is characterized by both poor digestibility and poor permeability. This particularly applies to bones and any other animal products. Take care of your pet and try to buy food or special vitamins for it that control the release of fur accumulated in the stomach. This applies, of course, exclusively to breeds that have a fairly thick coat.

Viral peritonitis in cats
Viral peritonitis in cats
Viral peritonitis in cats

Bacterial form

The appearance of bacteria in the abdominal cavity has many reasons. One of them is obesity, which very often makes a pet a “hostage” of apartment living. No less common are injuries and chronic diseases of internal organs. It is worth noting that not in all cases these prerequisites will result from the formation of bacteria in the peritoneum, but it is worth protecting your pet from all these factors.

Preventive measures will be the use of high-quality feed, as well as an exclusively correct daily diet. For example, raw vegetables are very healthy for cats, but animals are not always willing to eat such “unflavored” dishes. Therefore, you can mix vegetables with canned meats, which are rich in nutrients for cats. This will simplify the task somewhat.

Take care of your pet, try not to leave doors and windows half open, as this is a direct path to injury to a pet that gets too playful and forgets about safety.

Coronaviruses

This type of bacteria is not only characterized by increased survival in the pet’s body, but also fairly rapid reproduction leads to the appearance of these negative viruses throughout the body. Infection of all internal organs begins in the abdominal cavity. Their spread through the blood makes the disease practically incurable. In most cases, or rather in 99%, the pet simply does not survive.

The last reason why a pet may become infected with peritonitis is complications after surgery. There are quite a lot of reasons. For example, sutures coming apart or poor-quality treatment of internal organs and muscles, infection. But the most common cause is the entry of bile, blood, or any other “foreign” fluids into the abdominal cavity.

Is there a risk of getting infected from a sick animal?

Feline coronavirus exclusively affects cats. There is no risk for humans. Even immunocompromised people, young children and pregnant women do not become infected with peritonitis.

Also, the disease is not transmitted to dogs, rodents, birds, reptiles and other domestic animals. It is only dangerous for cats. But even within the species, contagiousness is low. A sick animal needs to be isolated from its relatives; after it has been cured or died, the rest of the cats in the house need to be quarantined for 2-3 days. Some experts consider this measure optional.

Diagnostics

To diagnose peritonitis, the doctor must not only examine the animal, but also find out some aspects of its life.

For example, does the cat come into contact with street animals, how many individuals live in one area, whether the family has pets of other species (dogs, parrots, hamsters, etc.), living conditions. Find out if there have been any changes in the psycho-emotional state of the pet caused by stressful situations. He also clarifies whether surgical interventions have been performed recently or not.

If there are other animals in the family, they should be isolated from the sick cat and also examined, since there are hidden forms of pathology and carriage of the virus.

After collecting all the necessary information, the veterinarian will examine the animal and conduct research. Among the main ones are:

biopsy - tissue is sent for immunohistochemical examination.
measuring body temperature;
study of biological fluids using polymerase chain reaction (PCR);
Ultrasound of internal organs;
biochemical and general clinical examinations of blood and urine;
radiography;
laparoscopy – it can be used to detect the presence of ascites and/or exudate and send the resulting fluid for examination;

Thanks to these diagnostic measures, the veterinarian will establish a diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Routes of infection

Cats become infected with coronavirus infection from a sick animal. Since the virus lives in the intestines, the main route of infection is fecal-oral. The infection enters the body by sniffing feces, licking fur, or examining marks. A less common route of spread is airborne droplets. An animal can become infected with the virus in a nursery, in a foster home, or in a veterinary clinic, if contact between cats and each other is not excluded.

Kittens become infected from their mother. This occurs in utero or after birth during care of the offspring. As a rule, the entire litter of a sick cat is affected. A cat, if it does not live in the same apartment (as happens with breeders), does not transmit the virus to its offspring.

FIP in cats can be asymptomatic or mild, but the animal remains a source of infection for life.

If there is only one cat in the house, there is nothing to be afraid of; if there are several, then everyone will be infected. A sick animal should be excluded from breeding and should not be allowed to come into contact with the kittens of other females.

Spread of infection

Coronavirus infection thrives in environments where large numbers of cats share food, water and a litter box. In single-cat homes, only 25% of animals test positive for antibodies to this virus, while in catteries this figure ranges from 75 to 100%. The percentage of cats infected with coronavirus increases with the increase in the number of kittens, the arrival of new animals from other nurseries and the sending of their own, as well as with years of breeding work. There is no clear connection between a cat's attendance at exhibitions and cases of FIP in the cattery. The constant introduction of new animals increases the likelihood of FIP occurring in the nursery. Susceptible cats exposed to an environment with endemic FIP usually demonstrate antibodies to the infection within 1-2 weeks. Successful control of FIP depends on preventing transmission of infection from infected animals to susceptible animals by the fecal-oral route.

Factors that may influence the likelihood of developing FIP are: the presence of FIP in a littermate, all kinds of stress, including surgery, early pregnancy, weaning, sale, transportation and adaptation to a new home. In a cattery with endemic FIP, you can stop breeding for a period of 6 months to a year.

Susceptible animals include kittens 6 to 16 weeks of age, externally susceptible animals, and previously infected cats that have lost their immunity. If you suspect that a breeder is a carrier of FIP, you can prevent her from infecting her kittens by weaning them from their mother before six weeks of age and separating them from their mother and other cats until they are 16 weeks old. If your cattery has FIP, you can close the cattery to susceptible animals from outside for any reason.

Cats with positive blood titers for coronavirus (antibody titer greater than 1:100) may have been exposed to this virus, but it is impossible to tell from the titer whether it was only coronavirus or FIP. Whether the cat is sick or clinically healthy, as well as the conditions in which it was kept, can help in interpreting the titers. Animals with elevated titers (above 1:100) are likely to shed the virus in their feces, thus making them infectious to other cats, including their own kittens between 6 and 16 weeks of age.

Classification according to the form of the disease

The disease manifests itself in two main forms - effusion and dry. In both cases, the abdominal organs are affected, less often the chest is involved.

Exudative FIP in cats occurs rapidly, with high fever. Fluid accumulates in the peritoneal cavity, and the abdomen increases significantly in size. If the pleural cavity is affected, breathing and heart function are impaired. This form is easier to recognize, but difficult to manage with treatment.

The dry form of the disease is more difficult to diagnose. With it, small foci of inflammation appear on the surface of the intestine, peritoneum, and less commonly, the pleura and pericardium, which turn into dense nodules. There are no noticeable external changes in the pet, but the condition is gradually worsening.

Coronavirus enteritis and viral peritonitis in cats

Coronavirus infections are quite common among domestic cats. They are species-specific - they are easily transmitted from cat to cat, but they are not dangerous for humans and other domestic animals.

Feline enteric coronavirus (FECV)

The causative agent is feline enteric coronavirus (FECV).
Most often, cats become infected through contact with feces and saliva, household items, bowls, toys, or the litter box of a sick animal or carrier. Newborn kittens can get the virus through their mother's milk and through licking, and almost always die. In addition, the owner may bring the infection home on shoes or clothing. Most often, kittens and young cats under the age of 1-2 years, and older cats over 10-12 years old, become ill with coronavirus enteritis.

Once in the cat’s digestive system, the virus begins to actively multiply, affecting the intestinal epithelium. This causes inflammation and impaired absorption of substances. In cats with good immunity, the virus can progress quickly with signs of gastrointestinal disorders or be completely asymptomatic. The coronavirus remains in the body for a long time after the symptoms disappear; the animal becomes a virus carrier and can infect other animals. Sometimes it happens that the animal recovers spontaneously and the virus disappears from the body without a trace.

Feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV)

With weak immunity or exposure to unfavorable factors, the pathogen can mutate into the feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV).
But this disease already poses a mortal danger to cats. The transition from coronavirus enteritis to viral peritonitis occurs in approximately 10% of cases. In the absence of treatment, stress, the presence of immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus, the coronavirus can mutate into FIPV, causing infectious peritonitis. Particles of the pathogen penetrate the circulatory system, infect macrophages - cells of the immune system, and spread throughout the body.

Infectious peritonitis can occur in two forms - dry and wet.

The wet (exudate) form is characterized by the accumulation of free fluid, which normally should not exist, in the chest or abdominal cavities, and structural changes occur in the organs. The liver, spleen, and lymph nodes may become enlarged. Breathing is impaired when there is a large amount of effusion in the cavities.
In the dry form, granulomatous nodules appear in the abdominal organs, but there is no effusion. The dry form is difficult to diagnose.

The wet form is more common, while the dry form can turn into a wet form as the disease progresses. Mortality is almost 100%.

Symptoms for different forms

The symptoms of coronavirus enteritis are not specific; it must be distinguished from panleukopenia, inflammatory bowel diseases, poisoning, helminthiasis, etc.
For coronavirus enteritis:

Lethargy, depression
Refusal to eat
Vomit
Diarrhea, blood and mucus in stool

For infectious peritonitis:

Increased temperature, periodic fever
Heavy rapid breathing
Lethargy
Edema of the extremities
Decreased appetite
Digestive disorders
Swollen abdomen due to ascites
Anemia
Severe exhaustion of the body
Deterioration in wool quality
Jaundice
Uveitis
Multiple organ failure

Diagnostics

Since there are quite a lot of symptoms, they are not specific and vary in severity, then, of course, you cannot do without examinations. In case of enteritis of unknown etiology, you will need to take blood tests, test swabs or stool for coronavirus, panleukopenia, toxoplasmosis, and rule out giardiasis and helminthiases. Ultrasound is an important research method for both dry and effusion forms. Helps to see structural changes in organs, their enlargement, the presence of nodules and free fluid. If the latter is present, the cavity is punctured with a thin needle to take effusion to study the cellular composition and evaluate for mutated FECV. Blood is also tested using PCR. There is also an immunohistochemical detection of the virus, but for this it is necessary to take tissue from the affected organs, which is quite problematic, especially if the animal is in serious condition.

Prognosis and treatment

For intestinal coronavirus, the prognosis is favorable to cautious.
With the intestinal form of the FECV coronavirus, enterosorbents, antibiotics, and a special easily digestible diet are needed to support digestion, as methods of nonspecific therapy. With the development of infectious peritonitis, the prognosis is unfavorable. It is also sometimes possible to maintain quality of life with the help of immunosuppressive therapy, only under the supervision of the attending physician. If a large amount of effusion accumulates, it is drained until breathing becomes easier. If anemia develops, a blood transfusion is performed.

Prevention

Prevention, as in the case of other infections, consists of observing sanitary and hygienic standards, especially for nurseries, pet hotels, and overexposures. New cats must be quarantined and mating with untested cats must not be allowed. There are no vaccines for feline coronavirus. If a patient or carrier is detected in the population, they are isolated, and everyone else must be tested for the presence of coronavirus. With three negative results at intervals of a month, the animals are considered healthy.

FIP in cats: symptoms

Symptoms of the disease are divided into those that always appear, and those characteristic of a certain form and location.

Persistent signs of FIP in cats:

The animal sleeps more than usual.
No appetite.
He tries to hide in warm corners and curl up.
High temperature – hot dry nose, hot paw pads.
Trembling as if cold.
The mucous membranes of the mouth and eyes become pale.
Weight gradually decreases.

The effusion form is characterized by an increase in the size of the abdomen. When moving, especially jumping from a height, a gurgling sound may be heard. The dry form of feline infectious peritonitis occurs with stool disorders and frequent vomiting.

In addition to the intestines, other organs, most often the lungs, can be affected. In this case, the cat develops noticeable shortness of breath and breathing becomes hoarse. The pet cannot run and begins to choke. Rare forms - brain damage with the development of paralysis and behavioral abnormalities, inflammation of the iris.

Symptoms

It must be borne in mind that very often peritonitis can occur in a hidden, i.e. latent form. As a result, you may not notice signs of the disease and miss valuable time for treatment.

Among the main symptoms are the following:

The pet's behavior changes. He becomes apathetic, lethargic, sleeps a lot and hardly plays.
The fur becomes dull and begins to stick out in different directions.
Appetite decreases to the point of complete refusal to eat, as a result of which the animal begins to lose weight sharply.
Kittens stop growing.
The temperature is steadily rising.
A dry coating forms on the eyelids, which the animal cannot get rid of on its own.
The gait changes, the cat seems to drag its limbs, up to their complete paralysis.
Ascites develops and fluid begins to accumulate in the abdominal cavity. At the same time, the animal's stomach swells.
Lymph nodes and liver enlarge.
Sometimes yellowness of the sclera appears, which indicates the development of jaundice.
Problems arise in the functioning of the digestive organs, which can manifest as vomiting, diarrhea, or, conversely, constipation.
Sometimes seizures develop.
The pet begins to breathe through the mouth, and shortness of breath is noticeable. This symptom occurs due to developing pulmonary failure caused by the accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity. The latter begins to compress the lungs and thereby make breathing difficult. The development of pleurisy is an alarming sign indicating the seriousness of the animal’s condition; immediate veterinary care is required, as the likelihood of death increases.

It is worth remembering that if there are any changes in your pet’s behavior or well-being, it is better to show it to a veterinarian and undergo an examination than to wait and waste precious time.

How long do cats with peritonitis live?

The lifespan of a cat with coronavirus depends on the form of the disease and the timeliness of treatment. The wet form is fatal within six months, while the dry form can last up to 5 years. The later peritonitis is detected, the less likely the pet is to survive. Under the most favorable circumstances, the risk of death approaches 85%; if the disease is detected late, then the mortality rate is 100%.

An animal cannot recover from peritonitis. All efforts of veterinarians are aimed at maximizing the life of the furry animal.

Diagnosis of the disease

FIP is a difficult to diagnose pathology. Due to the lack of specific symptoms, the disease is easily confused with other diseases. The wet form has a similar clinical picture to bacterial peritonitis, heart failure, toxoplasmosis and renal ascites. Dry - with tuberculosis and lymphosarcomatosis.

Diagnostic methods:

blood analysis;
radiograph;
Ultrasound;
tissue biopsy.

The most reliable method is histological examination of the affected tissues. The blood test is not informative. It only detects the presence of antibodies to coronavirus, but does not recognize the type of strain. A positive test will indicate the presence of the virus, but will not distinguish peritonitis from enteritis.

A blood test does not show the presence of infectious peritonitis in the body

Treatment regimen

The main goal of FIP treatment is to prolong and facilitate the cat's life. It is impossible to completely rid the animal of the disease, but it can be allowed to live the remaining months or years without suffering.

As in humans, several groups of drugs are used - etiotropic to fight viruses, pathogenetic to slow down the development of the disease, symptomatic to improve well-being and prophylactic to avoid complications.

Etiotropic therapy is aimed at slowing down the replication of the virus. Feline antiviral drugs are used - Enterostat, Fosprenil and others. The exact dosage is calculated based on the weight of the animal and its condition.
Anti-inflammatory drugs of the steroid and non-steroidal series and drugs to enhance immunity are used as pathogenetic agents. Intravenous infusions of saline and nutrient solutions are also used. Their task is to maintain fluid balance in the cat’s body, to provide nutrition in case of decreased appetite or complete inability to eat from a bowl.
To alleviate the animal's condition, vitamin preparations and painkillers are prescribed. Their administration allows the pet to feel relatively well and slow down the deterioration of the condition. To combat complications, antibiotics and drugs that support the functions of the kidneys, liver and lungs are used. They are prescribed as needed.

All medications are prescribed in the form of injections and droppers, so the cat will have to be treated at a veterinary clinic. The owner can give intramuscular injections at home. To do this, you need an assistant who will hold the cat. The injection site is just above the base of the hind paw. If the owner cannot perform the injection himself, it is better to entrust this to a veterinarian. Intravenous injections and infusions are only allowed in a veterinary clinic.

To alleviate the condition of effusion peritonitis, a therapeutic puncture is performed. Fluid is drained from the abdominal cavity through a special tube, giving the cat the opportunity to eat and move normally. This procedure must be carried out regularly. The danger of puncture is the risk of infection and the development of bacterial peritonitis, which leads to the rapid death of the pet.

Treatment

After the diagnosis is established, treatment for the disease begins. Depending on the cause of peritonitis, treatment procedures will differ slightly.

When infected with coronavirus, therapy is reduced to maintaining the general condition of the animal and symptomatic treatment. This is due to the fact that at the moment of development of veterinary medicine, etiotropic antiviral therapy does not exist. First, it is necessary to alleviate the general condition of the animal and eliminate pain. The doctor will puncture the resulting cavities and remove the exudate that has accumulated there, and also administer diuretics to increase diuresis.

To destroy the pathogenic microflora that caused the disease, antibiotics are administered. Their main groups are: cephalosporins, penicillins, sulfonamides.

Injections are given subcutaneously, intramuscularly, and in case of a particularly severe condition of the animal - intravenously by drip or stream.

If the cause of peritonitis is perforation of a hollow organ or injury, urgent surgery is performed, radically eliminating the cause of the disease. In order to maintain acid-base balance, droppers with saline solution, Reambirin, etc. are prescribed.

In addition, hormonal drugs are used, for example, Prednisolone, as well as multivitamins and interferons.

During the period of treatment of your pet, special attention must be paid to its nutrition. They are fed fractionally, in small portions, with special fortified foods that are easily absorbed by the body.

To relieve pain, apply a heating pad with ice, wrapped in a cloth or towel, to the stomach.

If the cause of peritonitis is coronavirus, then it is worth carrying out complete disinfection in the room where the animal was kept. At the same time, preference is given to products that are safe for pets and free of chlorine, parabens and other harmful substances.

It is worth treating the cat's litter box and bowls with special care, since the virus is highly resistant and it is possible to re-infect a pet weakened after illness.

What to feed a cat with peritonitis

With peritonitis, a cat cannot eat normally. The ability to eat depends on the severity of the disease. In the early stages and if the cat is feeling well, the cat is switched to medicinal food intended for pets with gastrointestinal pathologies. This food is only wet; you cannot feed it with dry food; it is well digestible only in healthy animals.

Those who feed their pet natural food also need to change their diet. Fluffy can eat porridge with meat in water, egg whites, and boiled meat. Dairy products, even if the pet tolerates them well, are undesirable. Portions should be small so that the cat eats quickly.

A prerequisite is unlimited access to water. Due to infection, the cat loses a lot of fluid that needs to be replenished.

Signs of feline peritonitis

Each form of peritonitis (acute or chronic) has its own specific symptoms. The acute course of the disease is characterized by:

gradual decrease in appetite up to complete refusal to eat;
lethargy and drowsiness, apathy;
frequent attacks of nausea, vomiting;
prolonged diarrhea;
rapid loss of body weight;
increased body temperature;
fever;
shortness of breath (occurs if exudate from the abdominal cavity rises into the lungs);
an increase in the volume of the abdomen, its hardening;
when palpating the abdomen, an attack of acute, severe pain occurs, the pet meows pitifully;
development of pleurisy;
abnormalities in the functioning of the kidneys, liver, heart;
convulsive muscle contractions;
impaired coordination of movements;
paralysis of the hind legs;
urinary incontinence.

Chronic course. A chronic, sluggish form of the disease in a cat manifests itself:

depression;
development of ophthalmitis (inflammation of the eyes) and uveitis (inflammation of the vascular membranes of the eye);
disturbances in the functioning of the central nervous system;
change in behavior.

Symptoms of other forms. With peritonitis of the infectious type, conjunctivitis develops. The dry form of the disease is manifested by deviations in the functioning of internal organs, the formation of granulomas on them.

If any alarming signs appear, the owner of a furry pet should contact a veterinarian and undergo a comprehensive examination.

Can a vaccine protect a cat?

There is a vaccine against the non-mutated form of feline coronavirus. It protects pets from other diseases caused by the same pathogen - enteritis and infection. But if the pet has already been in contact with an infectious relative, vaccination loses its effectiveness.

The vaccine is administered in the form of drops into the kitten’s nose; vaccination time is 3.5-5 months.

If the mother of the kittens was infected, then vaccination is useless; the kittens themselves have become carriers of the infection, have been ill or are at risk of a severe form of the disease.

The vaccine is ineffective against peritonitis; vaccinated cats get it just as much as unvaccinated cats. It is not yet possible to develop a remedy that would help avoid the fatal cat disease. We can only hope for prevention in healthy people and timely diagnosis in sick people.

Diagnostic methods

It is easy to determine the presence of a coronary infection in a mustache-stripe, but it is more difficult to diagnose peritonitis of a viral nature. For this purpose, the doctor collects the pet’s medical history and prescribes laboratory and instrumental research methods. Comprehensive diagnostics include:

Examination of the animal - during a physiological examination of the abdomen, the presence of exudate accumulated in the abdominal cavity is determined.
Ultrasound and X-ray - these techniques reveal the presence of inflammatory processes and granulomas.
Laparoscopy with biopsy - these diagnostic methods are the most informative. They show the presence of accumulated fluid and make it possible to determine the type of pathogen that provoked the disease.
Laboratory tests - examination of blood, stool and urine. Tests help determine the general condition of the animal and the degree of damage to the body by pathogenic microorganisms.
A blood test for the content of specific antibodies is carried out to determine the degree of “tension” of the immune system in relation to coronavirus.

Other techniques. In some situations, your veterinarian may order advanced laboratory tests to help make an accurate diagnosis:

biochemical blood test (12 indicators);
general blood analysis;
PCR (polymerase chain reaction) analysis - if a viral form of the disease is suspected;
antibody determination;
protein electrophoresis;
flushing from the rectum (viral peritonitis).

Differential diagnosis is mandatory. Due to the fact that the symptomatic picture of feline peritonitis is not specific, it is necessary to exclude diseases with similar clinical manifestations. These are an abscess, oncological tumors, tuberculosis.

Prevention

Prevention will be divided into two stages - preventing infection and preventing mutation.

To prevent your cat from becoming infected, you need to take a kitten from a trusted nursery where healthy animals live. The baby needs to buy his own supplies - a bowl, tray, sleeping place, scratching post. These things should not be inherited from other animals or be common to several pets. Before vaccination against coronavirus, the kitten should not have contact with its relatives or go outside. At 3.5-5 months the vaccination is given, and after that you can rest assured about the cat.

If the animal is already infected, it is necessary to exclude factors that will lead to mutation of the virus. The cat needs immunotherapy drugs, a healthy nutritious diet, and a minimum of stress. Violation of these rules leads to peritonitis and death of the animal.

If there are several cats in the house, and one of them is infected with coronavirus, then all of them are infected. The mutation can occur in one or several animals, rarely in all at once.

How to prevent infectious peritonitis

Today there is no effective vaccine against coronavirus. In the USA, it is under development, but has not yet passed all the required stages of research. In this regard, the vaccine is prohibited in Europe and Russia.

Many experts in the field of veterinary medicine believe that good living conditions and a favorable psychological climate will allow cats or cats to avoid the development of such a terrible disease as peritonitis. Among the measures to prevent animal infection are:

prevent eating the excrement of other cats;
in case of a large concentration of animals in a relatively small area, for example, in an apartment, keep pregnant cats separately from other animals; the same rule applies to kittens and older pets;
ensure a favorable psychological climate, absence of stress;
strengthen immunity;
give multivitamin complexes recommended by a veterinarian;
periodically process or change the animal’s things: tray, bowls, toys;
See a veterinarian regularly;
avoid contact with other cats, especially street cats;
Follow the veterinarian’s recommendations after surgery or sterilization of the animal.

Treatment methods for feline peritonitis

Peritonitis requires an integrated approach to treatment. Immediately after diagnosis, the animal is given painkillers - Spazgan or Baralgin. To reduce the intensity of the inflammatory process, thereby facilitating the general well-being of your pet, with the permission of the veterinarian, cold compresses can be applied to the stomach. In addition, each form of peritonitis has its own nuances in therapy:

Viral . There are no specific treatments for this form of the disease. The goal of therapy is to prevent the development of bacterial complications, reduce pain and strengthen defenses to give the body the opportunity to independently fight the virus. Medicines are prescribed: glucocorticosteroids (Prednisolone), vitamin-mineral complexes, immunoglobulins, as well as immune correctors.
Infectious . The basis of therapy is antibacterial drugs. To speed up the healing process, antibiotics are administered intravenously or subcutaneously. Antibacterial groups are used: penicillins, cephalosporins, sulfonamides.
Dry . A comprehensive drug treatment is prescribed, including antibiotics, painkillers, and immunomodulators. In order to reduce the severity of intoxication, the furry pet is given intravenous injections of glucose or saline solution. If the disease has managed to lead to disorders of the heart muscle and vascular system, medications are prescribed aimed at relieving signs of heart failure.
Purulent . Intensive therapy with antibacterial agents is carried out, a procedure for pumping out water accumulated in the abdominal cavity, after which the animal’s condition improves significantly. Treatment of purulent peritonitis is carried out only in a veterinary clinic.

Vaccination against feline viral peritonitis

currently available feline viral Its safety and effectiveness remain in great doubt, since it is almost impossible to prove its effectiveness and many researchers are skeptical about it.

The vaccine is administered intranasally from 16 weeks of age and creates immunity only in the mucous membranes, and not in the entire body. It is ineffective in animals positive for FECV, does not work when infected with the English subtype of FIPV, and provides only 50% protection. Therefore, it cannot be called a reliable means of prevention.

Symptoms of coronavirus infection

Classic exudative (wet) feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is characterized by the exudation of sticky, straw-colored fluid into the peritoneal and pleural cavities. And therefore, most often the disease is noticed by a progressively swollen abdomen, against the background of increased, fluctuating body temperature. This is the so-called “wet” form of FIP (“dropsy”).

But there is (much less often) a “dry” form, when there are no external signs, and only increased fluctuating temperature, lethargy, loss of appetite, and weight loss are observed. Non-exudative (dry) FIP is characterized by the manifestation of chronic granulomatosis of organs and systems. Both forms, unfortunately, are fatal. It is impossible to save sick animals.

Treatment

There is no effective treatment for viral peritonitis. Treatment is mainly aimed at concomitant manifestations of the disease - hepatonephropathy, damage to the lungs and heart, and nervous manifestations. The veterinarian himself chooses the treatment tactics.