Update on feline infectious peritonitis

Abstract

Background: Feline coronavirus (FCoV) infection in cats is common, usually only causing mild intestinal signs, such as diarrhoea. It is highly infectious and found worldwide. A sequela of FCoV infection, feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), is a common cause of death in young cats, occurring in up to 10 per cent of cats infected with FCoV. Although suspicion of FIP is frequent in sick, particularly young, cats, obtaining a definitive diagnosis using non- or minimally-invasive approaches is difficult.Aim of the article: This article provides an update regarding diagnosing cases of FIP and guidance on current treatment recommendations.

Successful management of feline pemphigus foliaceus with pentoxifylline and topical hydrocortisone aceponate

“…The diagnosis of non‐effusive FIP can be challenging, since the most common confirmatory testing used by veterinarians in clinical practice is quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) detection of FCoV RNA in effusions, which was not possible in this case (Barker & Tasker, 2020). Quantitative‐PCR of RNA extracts from the organ fine‐needle aspirates of this case, may have facilitated a definitive diagnosis, although a negative test result would not rule out FIP due to the low sensitivity of this technique (Dunbar et al., 2019).…”

A review on the diagnosis of feline infectious peritonitis

“…Rivalta's test is a simple assay that can be used to distinguish transudate from exudate in an effusion sample (Barker and Tasker 2020). Positive results simply indicate that the effusion is an exudate and are not specific to FIP; positive for transudate have been documented in situations other than FIP (e.g., bacterial/septic peritonitis and lymphoma) (Fischer et al 2012).…”

Pathogenesis of Feline Infectious Peritonitis

“…The lesions are variable based on the form and organs involvement. The predominant gross lesion in the wet FIP is abdominal enlargement, which accounts for a higher percentage of ascites caused by neoplasia, liver disease, and cardiovascular disease (Cannon et al 2005;Barker and Tasker 2020). By using percussion, the collected fluid might be easily moved inside the abdomen.…”