FIP

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Amanda - 05 Sep 2003 18:32 GMT

After an antibody test and analyzing some biopsies taken of his liver,
kidney and small intestine, our cat was recently diagnosed with Feline
Infectious Peritonitis (FIP). We've been told that there is no cure
for FIP and that it is a fatal disease.

However, when the cat's antibody tests came back, the levels were
extremely low (1:100 vs. the 1:800-1:1600 usually found in FIP
affected cats). Additionally, since we brought him home, he has had no
incident of fever and, while a little more tired than usual, has been
otherwise normal (he does have diarrhea, but had IBD before the FIP
diagnosis).

I was wondering if anyone else had experience with this disease- I
have been able to find very little information on how to care for a
cat with FIP and the only information I've found re: life expectancy
suggests that FIP cats live only a couple of weeks after diagnosis
(ours has made it a month with no signs of slowing down).

Thanks!
Amanda

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Phil P. - 05 Sep 2003 23:09 GMT

> After an antibody test and analyzing some biopsies taken of his liver,
> kidney and small intestine, our cat was recently diagnosed with Feline
> Infectious Peritonitis (FIP).

What were the actual results of histopathology and blood work (CBC/Chem)?

We've been told that there is no cure

> for FIP and that it is a fatal disease.
>
> However, when the cat's antibody tests came back, the levels were
> extremely low (1:100 vs. the 1:800-1:1600 usually found in FIP
> affected cats).

Its not unusual for cat with FIP to have a low FCoV antibody titer. The
most plausible explanation is that most of the antibodies are bound to the
virus leaving few free antibodies in the circulation available for detection
However, FCoV antibody titers can't differentiate between infection with a
virulent FIP-inducing strain and infection with a less virulent enteric
strain of FCoV. Titers also cannot distinguish between past and present
infection - although a rising titer could indicate an active infection.

Additionally, since we brought him home, he has had no

> incident of fever

The hallmark of FIP is fluctuating, non-responsive fever. What symptoms
originally prompted the visit to the vet and biopsies?

and, while a little more tired than usual, has been

> otherwise normal (he does have diarrhea, but had IBD before the FIP
> diagnosis).
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> suggests that FIP cats live only a couple of weeks after diagnosis
> (ours has made it a month with no signs of slowing down).

Please don't make any rash decisions based on tests or "numbers" or "sparing
the cat suffering before it begins". Go by the *cat* ***only***.

Good luck.

Phil.

> Thanks!
> Amanda

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Amanda - 07 Sep 2003 00:34 GMT

Phil-
Not sure what the actual results were- the vet just told us that it
didn't look good...

We initially brought him in because of a fever- he had some bladder
stones removed three weeks prior and was generally in good health.
Then all of the sudden he was extremely lethargic, not urinating and
feverish. We brought him back in and they kept him over night for
observation. Initially, they thought that he might have either
ingested something (our cat has a love of chewing on the carpet) or
that it was FIP. I gave the ok for the exploratory surgery with the
understanding that they would either discover some sort of obstruction
and take the biopsies for further FIP testing at that time.

Thanks to everyone who suggested we go by the cat instead of
euthanizing him. That's exactly what we've decided to do and he's
pleased as punch to be home (bouncing off the walls, atttacking his
mice- just sleeping a little more)!

Thanks again-
Amanda

> > After an antibody test and analyzing some biopsies taken of his liver,
> > kidney and small intestine, our cat was recently diagnosed with Feline
[quoted text clipped - 42 lines]
> > Thanks!
> > Amanda

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Phil P. - 09 Sep 2003 01:51 GMT

> Phil-
> Not sure what the actual results were- the vet just told us that it
> didn't look good..

Amanda,

A quick question. Did your vet examine the tissue samples or did he send
them out to a lab?
.
Phil

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