FELINE INFECTIOUS PERITONITIS Due to the concern regarding F.I.P. and the spread of this fatal disease Queensland Feline Association Inc. is endeavouring to keep breeders informed with the most recent medical data and current understanding. All cats, including large wild cats kept in captivity, are susceptible to this “no boundaries” disease. “One of the most poorly understood and enigmatic feline viruses is the feline coronavirus - the virus responsible for feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). It is no exaggeration to say that this is one of the most feared diseases in catteries. Many catteries that remain operative for several years will have a brush with FIP.” Ref: CFA USA Health Committee WHAT IS IT? FIP is caused by coronavirus, a very common, highly infectious feline virus. Coronavirus, has members that infect other species (man, swine, cattle, birds, dogs). The majority of cats with Feline Enteric Coronavirus (about 90% or more) remain healthy At this time it is believed to be a mutation of one, possibly two, of many strains of coronavirus. Feline coronavirus operates differently from any other feline virus in several important ways:
FIP is probably the most common cause of unexplained fevers in cats. It can cause a number of other signs, as well. Lethargy, inappetence, weight loss, eye disease (including a change of eye colour), diarrhoea, swelling of the abdomen or fluid in the chest can all occur with FIP. Many secondary problems, such as liver or kidney disease can occur with FIP. Any cat with fevers that do not respond to antibiotics should be considered as a candidate for this disease. But, don't panic as many Feline infections/virus/bacteria have these symptoms. In any chronic illness in cats for which no other cause can be found, FIP should be considered. There are two commonly recognized syndromes associated with feline infectious peritonitis. In the "classic" FIP case, fluid accumulates in the abdomen and it can become quite distended. This is known as the effusive (wet) form of FIP. The abdominal distension does not appear to be painful. The other recognized syndrome is the "dry" form of FIP, in which the symptoms of fever, weight loss and other clinical signs develop but there is no fluid accumulation. Not all cats that are exposed to FIP will develop the disease. In colonies of cats in which this disease is known to be present, estimates are that 8 to 20% of cats exposed to the virus will develop clinical signs of FIP. The rest of the cats may become immune to the disease or may simply not react to it. The reason that only a relatively small number of cats exposed to the virus develop the disease is unclear, but genetics is reported to be involved. FIP virus itself lasts in the environment for up to 6 weeks! Not 24 hours as rumoured. Once the FIP virus gains access to the cat's body it takes about 2 weeks for the virus to become widespread. After that, the length of time to clinical symptoms is variable but probably rarely exceeds 2 months. Most cats with FIP will die within 2 to 11 months from the damage caused by the virus, the immune system and secondary problems such as kidney or liver failure. This is why kittens die weeks or months after they leave the cattery. An exception to this might be cats that are able to fight off the disease but never completely clear it from their bodies. It is possible that these cats are carriers of the disease and that they may be affected later in life. HOW DOES IT SPREAD? The biggest known cause of this disease is overcrowding (too many cats), poor sanitation, inadequate housing, poor husbandry practices and stress. The main mode of transmission is from contact with contaminated faeces, saliva/body fluids, sharing of litter trays and other utensils including water bowls. Entire males are most at risk especially if there are visiting queens from other homes. The jury is still out on aerosol transmission. The biggest problem is detection of cats that are actively shedding the virus as these cats may have a very low <1.80 titre reading, and cats with high readings are not necessarily shedding. In other words, you can have a “healthy” cat with a titre of 1:40 yet it could be shedding virus and infecting other cats or kittens. There is no safe acceptable titre reading where an animal has died of FIP. Some cats shed sometimes, but not all the time. If you had a cat or kitten die of FIP then it is reasonable to assume that it has lived with a shedding cat either in your cattery or in it's new home. If it is the only cat in the household and never goes outdoors, then the evidence is pointing to its birthplace. Dr. Janet Foley and Dr. Niels Pedersen of the University of California at Davis have identified three key risk factors:
Research has shown that there are two main patterns that occur with FECV infection. Most cats will become infected and recover, but will not be immune. They are susceptible to reinfection the next time they contact the virus. A small number of cats become infected but do not recover. They become persistent shedders of FECV in the cattery and are the source of reinfection for the other cats. Therefore, the key to eliminating FECV (and thus the risk of FIP) in a cattery would be the identification and removal of chronic shedders. Currently, however, there is no easy way to determine which cats in a cattery are shedders. The traditional antibody titre for FECV cannot be used to determine which cats are chronic shedders. The most effective and practical tool is PCR analysis of faeces for the presence of FECV, a test that is not yet widely available and not foolproof either.
New Tests Being Commercially Marketed for FIP Detection Presently available immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) tests are non-specific, failing to differentiate between exposure to feline enteric coronavirus (FECV), feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV), or coronaviruses from other species. Antech Diagnostics describes a new test, the FIP-Specific ELISA. According to Antech, the test is based on the fact that all pathogenic strains of FIPV have an intact 7B region in their genetic code. Demonstration in cats of specific antibodies to the 7B protein, might suggest that the animals have been exposed to a pathogenic FIPV, and may be carriers of the virus or susceptible to disease. From their preliminary data, Antech proposed that cats with titres of 1:160 or greater on their new test are infected with FIPV. Also, cats with titres of 1:320 or greater have a 50% likelihood of dying from the disease within three months There is ongoing concern by some research groups that (FIPV) cannot be differentiated reliably from their non-pathogenic counterparts through differences in the 7B region of the coronavirus genome. In 1995, Herrewegh and colleagues reported in the journal Virology that deletions in the 7A/7B region did not occur in all FECV isolates. In 1998, Kennedy and colleagues reported in the Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation that their polymerase chain reaction test (PCR) was unable to consistently differentiate FECVs and FIPVs when applied to the 7A/7B region. Veterinarians and breeders interested in the control of FIP are encouraged to follow the literature closely to determine how these discrepancies will affect the accuracy of commercial tests being offered for the detection of FIPV. The fact remains that we have no screening test for FIP in well cats. Neither do we have a foolproof way to diagnose FIP in a sick cat. The gold standard remains a biopsy or findings at necropsy. Recently, Dr. Andrew Sparkes and his colleagues at the University of Bristol, England, have suggested that combining several test results (globulin levels, lymphocyte counts) with clinical findings and antibody titre can help rule in or rule out FIP with some degree of certainty. It remains true, however, that a negative antibody titre does not rule out FIP. Neither does a positive antibody titre rule in FIP as a diagnosis One benefit of the new DNA-based tests may be their use on body fluids, such as effusions from the chest or abdomen of a sick cat. If virus is found in these fluids, it strongly supports the presumptive diagnosis of FIP. HOW DO WE MINIMISE RISK FACTORS? Drs. Foley and Pedersen identified a genetic predisposition to the development of FIP in 1996. They examined pedigree and health data from 10 generations of cats in several purebred catteries and found that the heritability of susceptibility to FIP could be very high (about 50%). It is likely a polygenetic trait rather than a simple dominant or recessive mode of inheritance. Inbreeding, by itself, is not a risk factor. Selecting for overall disease resistance is a helpful tool for breeders. The likely defect in immunity to FIP is in cell-mediated immunity. Therefore cats that are susceptible to FIP are also likely susceptible to some other infections as well, especially fungal and viral infections. This finding gives breeders the ability to achieve success in reducing the risk of FIP by using pedigree analysis to select breeding cats from family backgrounds that have strong resistance to FIP and other infectious diseases. Ideally, house cats individually and never allow kittens contact with other adult cats. By doing this you will know if a kitten dies from FIP it most likely came from Mum who should then de desexed and rehoused in a one-cat household if she is well.
Each cat to have 2 litter trays marked with their name. Food and water bowls labelled in the same manner.
Provide a private and peaceful area for kittening and don't handle newborns after handling older kittens and adults without washing your hands in hot water first.
All animals need fresh air and sunshine.
If your cats live communally, then have a “closed” cattery environment. Never admit newcomers without checking titre readings and monitoring same over a period of about 5 months. Quarantine incoming cats and kittens. If you have shedding cat/cats it will be more difficult to find which one is the culprit in a community style living.
Clean & disinfect litter trays daily. Virkon or Avi-Safe are purported to be effective against virus infections and can be used on all surfaces.(Order via vets) Dry trays in sun when possible.
Wash food bowls in HOT water and detergent and rinse in HOT water.
Change and wash bedding at least weekly for adults and daily for kittens – more often if necessary. Dry in sunlight.
Try to provide a stress free environment. Be aware that separating Mums from their kittens at 5-6 weeks of age causes a great deal of stress and can cause Mum to start shedding, which just triggers off another cycle of infection.
Quarantine sick cats and attend to their needs last, and change your clothes & shoes after this.
If exercise areas are common areas, then make sure that cats are not soiling these areas. (Faeces contamination). Also do not allow dogs in the cattery and remove dog faeces daily.
Dispose of soiled litter and do not spread it in the garden.
Secure cattery areas from stray or neighbours cats.
Wash everything that has been to shows including you and the cat. (Stops ringworm too)
“Dr Diane Addie of the University of Glasgow, Scotland, recommends that the ideal way to house cats in catteries is individually. However, since this is not always possible, she recommends that they be kept in stable groups of no more than 3 or 4. Kittens should remain in groups of similar ages and not be mixed with adults in the cattery. Any measures that reduce environmental and social stress in the cattery population will have a beneficial effect, Dr Addie has also described a method for early weaning and isolation of kittens born to FECV positive queens. It involves rigorous barrier nursing techniques to prevent the spread of the highly contagious FECV, and so is not for every breeder or cattery. The procedure involves first isolating the pregnant queen in a separate area to have the kittens. When they are 5-6 weeks old (at the time when their maternal immunity to FECV is waning), the kittens are removed from the queen and isolated by themselves. Some of the difficulties with this method involve the strict infection control procedures needed and possible difficulties in socializing kittens. When properly practiced, not only can FECV-negative kittens can be produced, but the kittens are often less prone to respiratory diseases and other common kitten ailments.” Now having given Dr Addie's report, we suggest you go to the link below about the American experience, and see that this method failed badly in the USA. The apparent only safe way of stopping FIP is to drastically cull infected cats from breeding programs. If any breeders want more information and do not have access to the Internet, then contact QFA and documents will be posted to you or ask Feline Specialists or Qld University Vet Clinic. FURTHER READING : Related Links: Compiled July 2002 by Valerie Cashman Close this window to return to QFA Inc |