FIP in cats: Important information about blood count

FIP is a serious and often fatal disease in cats that requires accurate diagnosis.
Many cat owners are faced with the challenge of correctly interpreting the symptoms and taking early action.

A complete blood count is crucial to diagnose FIP because it reveals specific abnormalities such as a low albumin-globulin ratio and high total protein levels.
In this article, you'll learn all about diagnosing FIP, including the different blood tests and specific procedures that help confirm the disease.

Diagnosis of FIP: Methods and Procedures

Diagnosing FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis) can be challenging because the symptoms often resemble those of other diseases. A variety of methods and procedures are used to make an accurate diagnosis. These range from blood tests that detect specific changes in a cat's blood count to more specific tests that target the virus or the changes caused by the virus directly.

One of the first ports of call in diagnosing FIP is often the blood test that tests for antibodies to the coronavirus. However, the presence of antibodies alone is not sufficient for a diagnosis, as many cats have antibodies to coronaviruses without ever developing FIP. Therefore, additional specific tests must be performed to confirm the diagnosis:

• histopathology of tissue samples
• Rivalta test to determine the type of body fluids
• PCR tests to identify the virus in body fluids

These procedures allow veterinarians to make an informed decision about the presence of FIP. The results of these tests, along with the clinical evaluation of the symptoms and the cat's medical history, can help understand the overall picture of the animal's health and initiate appropriate treatment.

The Titer Test: Insight into Antibody Determination

The titer test is a specific blood test that detects the presence of antibodies to the FIP virus in a cat's blood sample. While the test can be informative, it is not conclusive in diagnosing FIP. The test measures the immune system's response to the virus, which can indicate whether a cat has been exposed to the virus. However, it is important to understand that a high antibody titer alone does not confirm that a cat has FIP, as other factors can also cause an increase in antibodies.

Histopathology: Microscopic analysis of FIP

Histopathology is a method of analyzing tissue samples under a microscope to look for signs of FIP. These samples are usually obtained during a surgical biopsy and are then specially treated and stained to look at the tissue structure in detail. A veterinary pathologist examines these samples to look for characteristic changes that could indicate FIP. This can be a very accurate way to confirm a diagnosis.

The Rivalta Test: Determination of the Type of Liquid

The Rivalta test is a quick and inexpensive way to determine the type of fluid in a cat's abdominal or chest cavity. The test involves placing a drop of the fluid in a test tube containing a special solution. The result depends on whether the drop floats or sinks in the solution, which can indicate the presence of inflammatory proteins. Although the test can provide useful clues, it is not definitive for FIP.

Blood tests in cats: basics and importance

A blood test is an essential part of your cat's health assessment. Blood is taken and analyzed in the laboratory for various values. This analysis provides information about your cat's general health and can help detect diseases at an early stage.

The results of a blood test can provide various important information:

• Complete blood count: Shows the number and condition of red blood cells and can detect anemia.
• Organ functions: Checks how well organs such as the liver and kidneys are functioning.
• Inflammation parameters: Can provide indications of inflammation in the body.

Treatment options for FIP: What is possible?

There are several approaches to treating FIP based on the latest scientific findings. GS-441524 and Remdesivir are two of the best-known drugs used in therapy. These drugs have antiviral effects and help prevent the virus from multiplying, giving affected cats a chance of recovery.

The duration of treatment and the dosage of these medications vary depending on the severity of the disease and the individual cat's response to therapy. Important points to consider during treatment are:

• Initial phase : Often a higher dose is started to effectively fight the virus.
• Maintenance phase : The dose is reduced once the cat's condition stabilizes.
• Monitoring : Regular visits to the veterinarian are necessary to monitor progress and adjust treatment.

Causes of FIP: A Detailed Look

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a serious disease in cats caused by a mutation of the feline coronavirus. This virus is usually harmless and only causes mild intestinal infections. However, under certain circumstances, the virus can mutate and cause FIP. Some factors that can contribute to the mutation are the cat's genetic predispositions, stress or a weakened immune system.

Environmental conditions also play an important role in the development of FIP. Cats living in overcrowded conditions, such as in animal shelters or breeding facilities, are at higher risk. Close proximity to other cats promotes the spread of the harmless feline coronavirus, which can then mutate and lead to FIP. Stress factors such as moving, new animals in the household or other illnesses can also increase the risk of mutation.

Transmission and Course of FIP

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is caused by a mutation of the feline coronavirus. This virus is widespread in the environment and can be transmitted through direct contact with infected feces. Cats in animal shelters or breeding facilities, where many animals live in close quarters, are particularly at risk. Transmission usually occurs when a cat comes into contact with the feces of an infected cat.

After infection, the virus can mutate in the cat's body and cause FIP. The course of the disease depends largely on the cat's immune system. Young and older cats are particularly susceptible because their immune systems are either not yet fully developed or are already weakened. The course of the disease can be divided into a wet and a dry form, with the wet form being characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity.

Symptoms of FIP: What Cat Owners Should Know

The symptoms of FIP in cats can vary greatly and depend on whether it is the dry or wet form of the disease. Common signs include:

• Fever
• weight loss
• decreased appetite
• lethargy

These symptoms are not specific to FIP and can occur in other diseases, making diagnosis difficult.

The wet form of FIP results in a buildup of fluid in body cavities, resulting in a swollen abdomen. The dry form is characterized by inflammatory reactions in various organs. Additionally, neurological symptoms such as convulsions or paralysis may occur, indicating involvement of the nervous system. Early detection of these symptoms is crucial to provide your cat with the necessary medical care.

Prophylaxis against FIP: Preventive measures

To minimize the risk of FIP infection, it is important to reduce stress in your cat . Stress can weaken the immune system and make cats more susceptible to infections. You can avoid stress by:

• create a quiet and safe retreat for your cat,
• schedule regular play and interaction times,
• and slowly introduce changes in the environment.

In addition to stress reduction, proper hygiene is crucial. Maintain clean and disinfected environments, especially if you have multiple cats. This includes:

• regular cleaning and disinfection of cat litter boxes,
• frequent washing of food bowls and sleeping places,
• and the use of products specifically designed for cleaning animal areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can FIP be detected by a blood test?

Yes, FIP can be diagnosed by a complete blood count that shows specific abnormalities such as a low albumin globulin ratio and high total protein levels. Additionally, other specific tests are often needed to confirm the diagnosis.

How do you test a cat for FIP?

There are several methods and procedures used to test a cat for FIP. These include blood tests that test for antibodies to the coronavirus, histopathology of tissue samples, the Rivalta test, and PCR tests to identify the virus in body fluids. These tests help to make an accurate diagnosis.

What can you see in a cat's blood test?

A cat's blood count provides various important information, such as the number and condition of red blood cells, which can reveal anemia, the function of organs such as the liver and kidneys, and inflammatory parameters, which can provide clues to inflammation in the body.