If you’re a parent to a cat, especially to a kitten or a purebred cat, you’ve likely heard of FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis). I wish I would have known more about FIP earlier when my cat fell ill. It is caused by a mutation of the feline coronaviruses, which cats can get frequently and is generally harmless to them.
However, from time to time, this virus will mutate inside the host and there is a different, much more dangerous pathologically important virus, called FIPV. When this occurs the host (the cat) will go into an all-out immune response. This causes massive inflammation through-out the organs, culminating in inflammation either in the abdomen, kidneys or even the cat’s brain!
What is FIP and Why Should Cat Owners be Concerned?
FIP is difficult to diagnose as it does not manifest the same way in every cat. Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is a devastating disease caused by a mutation of the feline coronavirus (FCoV). It primarily affects young cats and is often fatal without treatment.
There are three forms of FIP which can lead an owner to not notice the disease until it is in its later stages –
1. Effusive (wet) FIP
This is the more common presentation that can have extreme accumulation of fluid in the body’s belly or in the cat’s chest. This form is characterized by the accumulation of protein-rich fluid in body cavities such as the abdomen (ascites) or chest (pleural effusion).
- Symptoms: Cats often show abdominal swelling, difficulty breathing, lethargy, fever, and loss of appetite.
- Pathology: The fluid results from inflammation and leakage of blood vessels caused by the virus.
- Diagnosis: Fluid analysis, imaging, and PCR testing help confirm the diagnosis.
- Prognosis: The wet form progresses rapidly and is usually fatal without treatment.
2. Noneffusive (Dry) FIP
The second presentation is called Non-effusive (dry) FIP – this disease state can involve the organs and nerves but does not primarily present with fluid accumulation. Both forms of FIP can be fatal and often present with identical symptoms of other diseases in cats and which makes it more difficult to make an early diagnosis.
- Symptoms: These depend on the organs affected and can include neurological signs (such as seizures or ataxia), ocular inflammation (uveitis), and systemic signs like fever and weight loss.
- Enlarged Organs: Cats with dry FIP often display enlarged lymph nodes, liver, and spleen due to pyogranulomatous lesions and immune cell infiltration in these organs.
- Diagnosis: More challenging than wet FIP, requiring detailed clinical evaluation, imaging, and laboratory tests.
- Prognosis: The dry form tends to be more chronic but remains progressive and fatal without intervention.
3. Ocular FIP
Now coming to the third one Ocular FIP is a form of Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) where the feline coronavirus (FCoV) effects and causes inflammation in the structures of the eye. It is more commonly associated with the dry (non-effusive) form of FIP but can also appear in the wet form.
Affected eye structures: iris, ciliary body, retina, optic nerve.
- Common symptoms: Anterior uveitis (inflammation of the iris and ciliary body) causing cloudy eyes (aqueous flare), redness or darkening of the iris, small white deposits on the cornea (keratic precipitates), and unequal pupil size (anisocoria). Possible complications include glaucoma, retinal detachment, cataracts, and blindness.
- Diagnosis relies on a combination of physical and eye examinations, blood tests for FCoV antibodies, and PCR testing of ocular fluids or tissues (which is highly specific but not always positive).
- Prognosis varies based on disease severity and how early treatment begins. Early-stage ocular FIP may respond well to aggressive treatment, with some cats experiencing significant improvement or remission. Severe cases may lead to vision loss or require surgical removal of the affected eye.
Why Is FIP So Difficult to Identify Early?
When my cat first started to act “off,” I did not think much of it. She was just a little quiet, a little more sleeping and less playful. I thought this was probably stress or perhaps some mild bug. But that is the issue with FIP—the early signs are so vague, you may overlook them.
According to Cornell University’s Feline Health Center, the vast majority of cats with feline coronavirus don’t get sick at all, or they may just have diarrhea/ a runny nose. Only about 10% of cats with this virus will ever go on to get FIP, and by then, it is often too late to do anything.
FIP is often diagnosed late, because:
- The early symptoms are generic (fever, lethargy, poor appetite).
- These same signs of illness are associated with many of the common diseases affecting cats.
- There is not a simple test to diagnose FIP- your veterinarian will need to put together clues based on blood tests, X-rays, and occasionally tissue samples.
Scientific studies and veterinary sources show that purebred cats overall are more likely to develop FIP than mixed-breed cats. However, certain breeds have been found to be at especially high risk.
The Early Indicators I Almost Overlooked
Now that I look back, my cat’s symptoms of early FIP seem so evident, but I did not know that at the time.
Here are the signs that I observed:
- Low energy: She was sleeping more and playing less. Cats do a good job at disguising pain, so this was easy to dismiss.
- Decline in appetite: She had been eating less, but not enough to wave a red flag at the time.
- Weight loss: Over the two weeks, I could tell she was looking thinner even though she was still eating some.
- Fever: I only realized she had a fever after the vet explained it, but she felt consistently warmer than usual, and this was a cause for concern.
- Subtle changes in behavior: She no longer greeted me at the door and was hiding more.
Of course, they could be dismissed as stress, a cold, or even a lazy cat, but FIP is where these “small” changes stack up. Scientific studies show cats with FIP frequently have a consistent fever that does not respond to antibiotics; this alone will set veterinary alarms off.
My Cat’s Health Journey
I took my cat to GulfCoast Veterinary because she wasn’t feeling well. The ultrasound showed her liver and kidneys are fine, but her stomach lining looks irritated, and the wall of her small intestine is thicker than normal. They also found some swollen lymph nodes in her belly, which means her body is fighting something.
The blood tests showed signs of inflammation, like her immune system is working hard. The vet said it could be due to an infection or some kind of ongoing irritation in her gut or other organs. They mentioned a disease called FIP that can cause this in younger cats, but it’s not certain.
Basically, my cat has some inflammation and her immune system is reacting, but we don’t know exactly why yet. The vet will keep checking and might do more tests to figure it out. For now, I’m watching her closely and following the vet’s advice to help her get better.
How I Found Hope and Help for My Cat’s FIP
When my cat was diagnosed with symptoms like enlarged lymph nodes and spleen, I felt overwhelmed and scared. The vets here in the United States seemed unsure about what to do, especially because FIP—the disease that was strongly suspected is still poorly understood by many vets and the medicine to treat it is just starting to become available.
The prices in the US were shockingly high, making it almost impossible to afford the treatment.
That’s when I found hope by joining the FIP Warrior site. I posted my cat’s symptoms there, and soon I was contacted by a remarkable man named Galin Popov, a veterinarian from Arizona who has become a beacon of hope for so many cat owners. He truly knows what he’s doing and recognized my cat’s symptoms immediately and told me my cat had the dry form of FIP.
What makes Galin so special is not just his expertise but his genuine care. He sources the medicine from Russia, which has been a lifesaver for my cat. The treatment requires giving the medicine every 12 hours for 84 days straight, and Galin charges me just $288 every two weeks, including overnight shipping.
This is a bargain compared to the outrageous prices charged by some places in the US, where they seem to make it difficult for people to afford the medicine, almost like they are profiting off desperate pet owners.
Galin is more than just a vet; he’s an angel from God. He’s made fighting FIP his life mission. He keeps in touch regularly to check on my cat’s progress, which means the world to me. I honestly don’t know how he manages to keep up with so many cases, but his dedication is incredible.
Thanks to Galin’s help and the treatment he provided, my cat is fighting this disease with a chance at life. I want everyone to know about Galin because he’s saving lives and giving hope where there was little before. If you ever find yourself facing FIP, please look him up—he’s a true hero in this battle.
How My Cat’s Story Changed My Mindset
As someone who’s spent years raising and writing about Maine Coons, I know how easy it is to assume that “big, healthy” cats like ours aren’t at risk for rare diseases.
When my vet confirmed FIP, I felt just crushed. I’d read that most cats (and other animals) with FIP died, and even if they found a treatment plan they may not survive long enough to get on it.
But thanks to newer treatments, and catching it before the situation really went downhill, my cat made it. Getting her through treatment wasn’t easy – I had 7 weeks of medication to administer daily, multiple blood tests, and many days of anxious waiting.
However, seeing her energy return and her craving for food come back helped soothe every second of worry.
I have learned this:
- Acting early saves lives. The sooner treatment begins, the better the odds.
- If you feel something is wrong, push for more tests.
- Stay informed. The world of veterinary medicines is continuously changing, so keep reading and learning on reputable sites, like Cornell University, or ask your vet’s office for their suggestions.
When my Maine Coon kitten started being lethargic and stopped eating, the thought of FIP was not initially on my mind. However, I knew that the breed has overall health advantages.
One does not forget about your breed and stays observant for their subtle signs – fever, hiding, swollen belly – which indicate serious health issues. Most importantly, I learned to be vigilant and proactive with health regardless of breed.
Final Thoughts: Trust Yourself and Do Not Give Up
FIP can be daunting, but it is no longer hopeless. If you notice anything different about your cat—particularly if they are young or came from a multi-cat location—do not hesitate.
Seek answers, ask about new treatment options, and contact those who had experience with FIP. I am thankful each night that I listened to my gut and sought out care for my cat before it was too late. You can do the same for yours.
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