WET FIP

(Feline Infectious peritonitis)

WHAT IS WET FIP?

Is the often rapid build up of fluid from the FIP virus often in the abdomen (ascites) or chest (pleural effusion).

SYMPTOMS
(Often cats who have Wet FIP experience multiple of these symptoms at once.)

  • Growing abdomen due to fluid (See section in Veterinarian Support for proper fluid draining instructions.)

  • Breathing difficulties (See section in Veterinarian Support for proper fluid draining instructions.)

  • Some cases have both fluid in the abdomen and chest

  • Lack of appetite/not eating resulting in weight loss

  • Fever (persists more than 4 days and antibiotics/anti-inflammatory medication is not improving it)

  • Jaundice

  • Anemia that is non-regenerative

  • A high coronavirus titer.

FLUID COLOR
(Pulling a small sample of fluid to check for color can be a huge help in diagnosing FIP.)

Typical Fluid Colors

  • Light yellow (Straw like, usually the most commonly seen.)

  • Yellow

  • Yellow-green 

  • Deep yellow 

Colors Typically Not Seen

  • Milk-white

  • Blood-red (but can happen if bleeding occurs during obtaining the sample.)

TESTING TO DISCUSS WITH YOUR VETERINARIAN

  • CBC Blood Panel (most important)

  • Chemistry 17 Blood Panel (most important)

  • X-Rays: Can help diagnosis is there is fluid present in the abdomen and/or chest.

  • Ultrasound: The most ideal to get a full picture of fluid in the abdomen and a more in-depth look at the organs and possible changes due to FIP. Changes for example if a FIP kitty is experiencing liver markers on blood work it would be helpful to take a look at the liver. For cats who have dry FIP doing on ultrasound on the entire GI track is helpful to look for any masses or changes that can be common with this type of FIP.

  • Rivalta test-positive: Completed on abdominal fluid (ascites) and/or chest fluid (pleural effusion).
    (Please see article in the veterinarian support section for more information on this test.)

  • RTPCR-positive: Completed using abdominal fluid (ascites), chest fluid (pleural effusion), CSF (Cerebrospinal fluid), stool, and/or serum/plasma.
    (For more detailed information please visit the veterinarian support section.)

WHAT TO EXPECT ON BLOOD WORK

  • Anemia that is non-regenerative

  • Increased absolute neutrophils

  • Decreased absolute neutrophils is a indicator the immune system is affected

  • Decreased absolute lymphocytes

  • High total protein

  • Decreased albumin

  • Increased globulins

  • A/G ratio less than 0.6

  • Increased total bilirubin

STAGES OF WET FIP

EARLY STAGE

  • Periodic fever

  • Lethargy

  • Loss of appetite/weight loss

  • Stunted growth

  • Dry hair

  • Ineffective antibiotic treatment

  • Clinical symptoms of diarrhea or constipation also occur in some FIP cases.

  • Blood Work changes: leukocytosis, increased neutrophils, decreased lymphocytes, elevated serum total protein, hyperglobulinemia and hypoalbuminemia, A/G Ratio less than 0.6.

  • Wet FIP usually has presentation of fluid in the abdomen and/or in the chest. (For fluid draining instructions please see Veterinarian support section.)

MID STAGE

At this stage FIP the virus is above symptoms are progressing likely rapidly but in some cases can progress gradually.

  • Chronic non-regenerative anemia — HCT reading less than 24%

  • Worsening of hyperbilirubinemia

  • Urine is now golden yellow to dark yellow

  • Fluid build in abdomen and/or chest has increased greatly and FIP cat is now experiencing mobility issues from large belly, difficultly breathing from belly size and/or the amount of fluid that is now in the chest. This is cause for concern and should be seeking medical attention from your Veterinarian. If your Veterinarian needs support on how much fluid can be appropriately remove, please see the Veterinarian section.

  • Appetite will be worsening to the point the FIP cat is only consuming a very small amount or nothing at all. This is a cause for concern where FIP is a protein losing virus and their little bodies need nutrients in order to fight this virus. Please speak to your Veterinarian about ways to help with feeding, such as medications and if kitty is very sick a feeding tube options. Feeding the proper amount of calories is key for successful treatment.

LATE STAGE

Even FIP cats who are in late stage still have a chance to beat this virus but must move in a timely manner in seeking treatment.

  • Severe anemia: HCT less than 16% — sometimes blood transfusion are recommended and long with the treatment this will start to correct itself.

  • Complete loss of eating which may result in serious issues with the liver and kitty’s skin, eyes, and gyms may become yellow in color (icteric).

  • Walking continues to be unstable walking.

  • There is a potential for irreversible damage like multi-organ failure — most FIP cats in this phase is said that 50% may still die within 1-7 days of starting treatment, but this doesn’t mean that there isn’t a chance for success and this kitty can to make a full turn around.

I want to say a huge personal thank you and appreciation to Niels C. Pedersen, Diane Addie, Yunjeong Kim, Hui-Wen Chang, Carol Johnson DVM, and Heather Lorimer et al who have spent so much time researching FIP which has given a deeper understanding of this once deadly virus. My own cat would not be here if it wasn’t for your endless dedication to saving FIP cats. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your long-term research on FIP, which gave us a deeper understanding of this once deadly virus and hope to owners like myself.