What is FIP?
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is a life-threatening disease that can occur in cats of any age. It is caused by the feline coronavirus (FCoV). The virus is typically found in the intestines of cats, and if the virus mutates, it can lead to infection in the immune system.
The exact cause of the virus mutation is still unclear, but it is commonly observed to occur when the immune system is weakened due to stress, neutering, or poor living conditions. Younger cats, older cats, or cats with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk of developing FIP.
Transmission of the virus can occur through contact with feces, urine, shared litter boxes, food bowls, or grooming tools.
However, FCoV itself is not harmful and does not cause severe illness in infected cats. When FCoV mutates into FIP, it becomes highly dangerous and life-threatening to the infected cat.
Symptom of FIP
Symptoms of FIP in cats can vary according to the type of FIP. The wet form of FIP is the most common and is characterized by fluid buildup in the abdominal or chest cavity. Symptoms of this form of FIP include weight loss, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and trouble breathing.
Some common symptoms of FIP in cats include:
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Have a fever
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seep
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no appetite
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rapid weight loss
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vomit
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diarrhea
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Difficulty breathing
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Accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity (wet type FIP)
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Yellow body
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Anemia
In some conditions, delayed FIP treatment can lead to other symptoms, such as nervous symptoms. (neurological FIP) or eye problems (ocular FIP)
Type of FIP
FIP has two forms: Wet FIP and Dry FIP.
What is Wet FIP?
Wet FIP can be easily identified because it causes noticeable abdominal swelling or ascites, which is the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen and chest. This fluid is usually yellow and sticky, causing the cat's body temperature to drop. The cause of Wet FIP is related to the cat’s immune system. If the immune system is unable to fight off the FIP virus, the virus spreads and causes inflammation. Since Wet FIP can be diagnosed quickly, the survival rate of cats is higher when treated with GS-441524 compared to the other forms.
What is Dry FIP?
Dry FIP is different from Wet FIP because it does not show visible signs of the disease, and there is no fluid accumulation in the body. Instead, dry FIP causes the formation of solid structures called granulomas in the cat's body. The progression of Dry FIP is slower and the symptoms are less severe. The cause of Dry FIP is the same as Wet FIP, involving the cat’s immune system. If the immune system fails to control the FIP virus, the virus spreads, and granulomas begin to form in the cat's body, causing inflammation and damage to organs and tissues. Dry FIP is harder to diagnose, and therefore, it has a higher mortality rate compared to Wet FIP.
In the early stages of Dry FIP, the cat may have lesions in the kidneys and liver, causing loss of appetite and reduced movement. Eventually, the virus spreads to the central nervous system, causing symptoms such as cloudy eyes (ocular FIP) and loss of motor control (neurological FIP), leading to paralysis and eventual death.
Diagnosing FIP
Diagnosing FIP in cats can be difficult. This is because the symptoms may be similar to those of other diseases. Confirming a diagnosis of FIP in your cat should include several tests. These tests include:
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FCOV AB Test: This test looks for antibodies to the virus that causes FIP.
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Rivalta test: This test is done if there is an accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity.
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Hematology and Chemistry Blood Tests: These tests help confirm levels of albumin, globulin, liver and kidney values.
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Ultrasound (USG): This test is used to confirm the presence of fluid in the abdominal cavity.
Treating FIP
In the past, FIP was considered a life-threatening disease for cats. and is often viewed as a disease that cannot be cured This has become a major concern for cat owners. However, hope has emerged for cats with FIP with the use of treatment GS-441524. This treatment has been shown to be effective. Makes many people ask: "Can cats survive FIP?" The answer is yes. And if you suspect your cat has FIP, it's very important to consult your veterinarian as soon as possible to get fast and effective treatment.
The disease is often considered incurable. This makes it frightening for cat owners. However, today, an effective treatment for FIP in cats has been discovered using an FIP drug called GS-441524 from us.
GS-441524 is an antiviral drug developed by Dr. Niels Pedersen in research to treat FIP in cats. This drug has undergone clinical trials and has proven to be highly effective in treating infected cats. FIP, the treatment efficacy of GS-441524 is over 87%, bringing new hope for cat owners battling FIP.
FIP Mediciens
Prevention of FIP
The best way to prevent FIP is by preventing coronavirus infection. This includes maintaining good hygiene in the home and separating infected cats from healthy ones. There is also a vaccine available, but its effectiveness in preventing FIP is still debated.