Viral peritonitis in cats. FIP - Feline Infectious Peritonitis. Infectious or viral peritonitis in cats: symptoms and treatment

Keywords: wet feline infectious peritonitis, phosphorylated polyprenols, FIP

Abbreviations:AlAT- alanine aminotransferase, ASAT- aspartate aminotransferase, ATP- adenosine triphosphate, i/v- intravenously, i/m- intramuscularly, GGT- gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, GLDH- glutamate dehydrogenase, IL- interleukin, IFN- interferon, LDH- lactate dehydrogenase, IU- international unit, PC- subcutaneously, PCR- polymerase chain reaction, SDG- sorbitol dehydrogenase, ESR- sedimentation rate of erythrocytes, ultrasound- ultrasound procedure, heart rate- heart rate, AP- alkaline phosphatase, ECG- electrocardiography, EOS- electrical axis of the heart, FIP- feline infectious peritonitis (feline infectious peritonitis), fL- femtoliter, PI- polyprenyl immunostimulant (immunomodulator based on phosphorylated mulberry polyprenols)

Despite significant progress in veterinary medicine, FIP remains one of the most mysterious, dangerous and incurable diseases. An earlier editorial reported on Dr. Alfred Legendre's presentation at the 2011 Winn Feline Foundation's 33rd Annual FIP Treatment Symposium. The report dealt with the features and prospects of using PI as the only means of etiotropic therapy for the dry form of FIP. A total of 102 cats with dry FIP have been treated with PI, with almost 20% of patients surviving more than a year after starting treatment. They noted an improvement in their general condition and quality of life. In our country, attempts have also been made to treat FIP ​​using phosphorylated polyprenols of various origins as etiotropic agents - fosprenil and gamapren. This article describes cases of treatment of the wet form of FIP using the original complex methodology developed by veterinarian I.O. Pereslegina.

Description of clinical cases

Clinical Case #1. In the autumn of 2011, a patient was admitted - a cat Peach, age 1 year, Russian Blue breed. Complaints of the owners: the cat was brought from the dacha, after two weeks they noticed that he was losing weight. No diarrhea, appetite preserved. Convulsions were noted, the cat suffocated at times.

Clinical researches. On palpation, it was found that the abdomen was enlarged; when lifting by the front paws, the liquid overflows downward, which gives the abdomen a pear-shaped shape. Marked tachycardia (pulse 140-152 beats/min), hard heart sounds, arrhythmia.

ECG determined ectopic irregular rhythm; Heart rate: average value - 209 beats / min, maximum - 230 beats / min, minimum - 187 beats / min; EOS deviation to the left, blockade of the left leg of the His bundle, left atrial hypertrophy.

Ultrasound revealed: accumulation in the abdominal cavity of 35-45 ml of fluid, the structure of the liver is heterogeneous, increased granularity, echogenicity L = 82...85 (normal 65...68), the liver protrudes beyond the edge of the costal arch (enlarged). The edges of the liver are smooth, sharp. The gallbladder is in the form of an hourglass (with a constriction in the middle), moderately filled, there is no sediment in the lumen. The pancreas is enlarged (normally it cannot be visualized), compacted, the structure is broken. Kidneys without pronounced changes. The bladder is filled, the walls are thin, in the lumen there are small echogenic formations that do not cast an acoustic shadow.

Blood from a vein was given for clinical and biochemical analyzes (Table 1). A sharp increase in the level of globulins, a dramatic decrease in the albumin/globulin ratio against the background of moderate anemia and hyperbilirubinemia were revealed. A significant increase in the activity of the enzymes SDH, GLDH, AST, AlAT, GGT, LDH and alkaline phosphatase was noted. In addition, blood and exudate were tested for FIP using the PCR method (the presence of FIP coronavirus was confirmed in both cases).

A preliminary diagnosis was made - a wet form of FIP.

Therapy. The cat's intestines were slowly washed with a decoction of chamomile, then 5 ml of fosprenil (deep, 8 cm) warmed up to 40°C were injected per rectum. The procedure was repeated after 2 hours. Then gave another 3 ml of warm fosprenil per os and continued to give it every 2 hours during the night.

The next day, the treatment regimen was as follows: veteranquil - 0.3 ml IM, fosprenil - 1.5 ml IM, heptral - 1.5 ml IM; ATP - 0.4 ml (with Ringer's solution) IV, calcium chloride - 0.5 ml (with saline) IV, sodium thiosulfate - 1.0 ml (with saline) IV, traumeel - given every hour per os 1.0 ml, phosphorus homaccord 1.0 ml IV; pumpan 5 drops 4 times a day (in aqueous solution) per os.

Day 3: Veteranquil 0.3 ml IM, Panangin 0.8 ml iv, Riboxin 1.0 ml iv, ATP 0.4 ml iv, Ringer's solution 50.0 ml iv in. 20.0 ml of saline was injected into the peritoneum (the catheter was placed on the left side of the white line, retreating 2-3 cm from the rib), then the cat was gently turned from side to side for 10-15 minutes and his stomach was massaged. The evacuated fluid was characteristic of the wet form of FIP: straw-colored, odorless, fairly viscous, highly foamy, slightly opalescent, with white flakes; the total volume of fluid (including the injected saline solution) is about 65 ml. Immediately after that, warm (40°C) solutions of 20 ml each were injected into the peritoneum using 2 different syringes: fosprenil with saline (10:10) and dioxidine 0.5% with saline (10:10). An additional 2 ml of traumeel was injected into the vein. They put an enema with fosprenil, additionally intravenously introduced metronidazole, intramuscular bicillin-3, intramuscular heptral, furosemide 0.3 ml intramuscularly. Traumeel was prescribed 4 times a day, 1.0 ml s.c.

After the end of the manipulations, the patient felt normal, after 1 hour he even showed some activity (played).

Over the next two days, the patient was treated according to the scheme:

morning (all drugs were given in the same dosages as the day before) - ATP i/v, traumeel s/c, veteranquil i/m, panangin i/v, riboxin i/v, heptral i/m, phosphorus homaccord s/c, sodium thiosulfate IV, counterkal 5000 units. IV, pumpan 5 drops 3 times a day, fosprenil 3.0 ml per os 3 times a day, fosprenil enema after chamomile (warm) 5.0 ml;

evening - gamavit 2.0 ml IV, traumeel 1.0 ml s/c, heptral 1.5 ml IM, mannitol 10.0 ml IV, fosprenil enema (warm) 5.0 ml.

The patient's condition was stable, the appetite was preserved, the temperature was 39...39.3°C.

On the third day, fluid accumulated in the abdominal cavity again. The procedure was repeated with a puncture of the abdominal cavity. The volume of ascites decreased to 40 ml along with saline. Manipulations are repeated.

Cardus and Berberis were added to the treatment regimen (1.0 ml s.c. each). The convulsions have stopped. Phosphorus homaccord was prescribed 1 time in three days, 1.0 ml s / c. The abdomen decreased in volume, no fluid was detected on palpation. The cat was actively eating. Sodium thiosulfate was canceled, the dose of mannitol was reduced to 5.0 ml (very active urination).

By the evening of the fourth day, it was noted that only about 20 ml of fluid remained in the abdominal cavity, according to ultrasound. Introduced 10 ml of saline, a little more than 20 ml came out. The liquid is much lighter, there are no flakes. It foamed much less, the viscosity also decreased. Introduced warm fosprenil - 10 ml.

Therapy the following week included ATP 0.4 ml IV for 7 days; fosprenil 3.0 ml per os 3 times a day; fosprenil 5.0 ml enema once a day (warm); then narine-forte (warmed in the hand) 3.0 ml after 1 hour in an enema; Riboxin 1 ml 2 times a day IV; Panangin 1.5 ml IV 1 time per day; Homaccord phosphorus 1.0 ml s/c 1 time per day (3 days); mucosa compositum 1.0 ml s/c every other day (2 weeks); berberis 1.0 ml s/c 3 times a week; chelidonium 1.0 ml s/c 3 times a week; gamavit 1 ml s / c 2 times a day (up to 10 days); pumpan 5 drops 3 times a day for 1 month; bicillin 3600 thousand units; kontrykal 5 thousand units. on saline solution (up to 10 intravenous injections); traumeel 1/2 tab. 2 times a day on an empty stomach.

A week later, repeated blood tests were made (see Table 1): the parameters, including ESR, returned to normal, the hemoglobin content increased. There was no ascitic fluid in the abdominal cavity, the patient felt well.

Data for the beginning of 2013: the cat is active and feels well. The next blood test was made on January 17, 2013, that is, 15 months after the diagnosis. As can be seen from the data presented in Table 1, almost all indicators are within the normal range.

Clinical case number 2. In September 2008, the cat Krysya, half-breed, 6 months old, was admitted. According to the anamnesis: the cat was brought from a rest home in Ukraine, where she was picked up by a homeless person. She began to "swell" 2 weeks after her arrival in Moscow. The owners observed diarrhea, which disappeared after taking Vetom. He drinks little, plays, and was given milbemax for deworming.

Clinical researches. On examination, the abdomen was enlarged and round. The mucous membranes of the eyes are pale, cyanotic in the oral cavity, the temperature is 39.4°C, the appetite is preserved. Abdominal palpation revealed fluctuation.

Ultrasound revealed a significant amount of fluid in the abdominal cavity (Fig. a). The liver does not protrude beyond the edge of the costal arch, is reduced in size. The structure of the liver is coarse-grained with diffuse echo heterogeneity. Echogenicity of the liver parenchyma L= 45...50.

A clinical blood test showed a decrease in hematocrit, moderate anemia (Table 2): in a biochemical analysis, an increase in the content of total protein, globulin, urea, activity of AsAT, AlAT, alkaline phosphatase, GGT, as well as a sharp decrease in the albumin / globulin ratio.

Combined with clinical findings, the results of ultrasonography, blood tests, and effusions formed the basis for a provisional diagnosis of wet FIP.

Therapy. A therapy similar to that in the clinical case described above was prescribed.

The re-admission took place on October 6, 2008. Ultrasound showed the following signs: the liver is 7.5 cm in size, slightly extends beyond the edge of the costal arch, homogeneous echostructure, coarse-grained, the vessels are full of blood. The contour is even and sharp. There is a small amount of fluid in the abdominal cavity (Fig. b). Intestinal peristalsis is preserved.

December 25 re-admission - the patient's condition returned to normal, visually the cat is clinically healthy. Repeated analyzes were taken (see Table 2).

Rice. Sonograms of the Rat cat:

a - at the first appointment on September 22, 2008. There is a significant amount of fluid in the abdominal cavity;
b - at the reception on 11/06/2008. There is a small amount of fluid in the abdominal cavity; Intestinal peristalsis is preserved;
c - at the reception on 22.10.2008. Virtually no fluid in the abdominal cavity

Discussion

Exudative (wet) peritonitis is the most severe clinical form of FIP, which usually leads to death quite quickly, within just a few weeks. This article describes two cases of successful therapy for wet FIP. The diagnosis was made on the basis of clinical examination data, analysis of peritoneal exudate, as well as the results of ultrasound, PCR, clinical and biochemical blood tests. Both patients had ascites with a liquid exudate characteristic of the wet form of FIP: a straw-colored liquid, odorless, rather viscous, highly foamy, slightly opalescent, with white flakes. The primary blood test revealed a sharp increase in the content of globulins, as well as a dramatic decrease in the albumin / globulin ratio against the background of moderate anemia and hyperbilirubinemia. In addition, a significant increase in the activity of SDH, GLDH, AST, AlAT, GGT, LDH, and alkaline phosphatase was found. An elevated plasma globulin concentration, along with a reduced albumin/globulin ratio, is one of the most consistently detected indicators in FIP. In combination with clinical signs, ultrasound data, PCR, results of blood and exudative fluid analysis, this served as the basis for making a preliminary diagnosis of wet FIP.

After making such a diagnosis, therapy is traditionally aimed at reducing destructive inflammatory manifestations and alleviating the condition of the animal. It is believed that the wet form of FIP is incurable and quickly leads to death of the patient.

Signs of remission include the absence or significant decrease in the volume of peritoneal-pleural effusion fluid, the disappearance or significant decrease in clinical symptoms, a decrease in globulin content, an increase in the albumin / globulin ratio in the blood, normalization of hematocrit and weight gain.

During the treatment of both patients with the help of an original approach developed by veterinarian I.O. Pereslegina managed to quickly and consistently achieve all the indicators described above, indicating the onset of remission. We note with particular satisfaction that both patients have been alive for more than a long time after the diagnosis of the wet form of FIP - 15 months and 52 months, respectively.

The complex method of therapy described in this article, although rather complicated, is completely reproducible (at the moment, about a dozen patients have been cured and continue to be treated by this method). At the same time, preheated phosphorylated polyprenols were used as a means of etiotropic therapy. It should be noted that veterinary preparations based on phosphorylated polyprenols isolated either from mulberry leaves or needles have been studied in the Russian Federation quite comprehensively. Based on them, the preparations gamapren and fosprenil have been created and are widely used in veterinary practice. These drugs have been shown to have both immunomodulatory and antiviral effects. Most likely, their therapeutic effect in infectious coronavirus peritonitis is manifested in a complex way. On the one hand, these drugs have an antiviral effect in experimental coronavirus infection caused, for example, by the murine hepatitis virus. On the other hand, after introduction into the body during a viral infection, fosprenil and gamapren activate macrophages and stimulate the early production of key cytokines (IL-12, IFN-γ), which ensure the formation of a Th1 immune response, which is impaired during a viral infection. This seems to be extremely important given the evidence that the development of FIP in cats after infection with coronavirus is directly associated with the lack of production of IL-12, which is necessary for the development of an effective cellular immune response. Moreover, with a weak cell-mediated immune response, when there is a mass reproduction of coronaviruses in macrophages, the disease passes into a wet form. This suggests that drugs based on phosphorylated polyprenols that activate macrophage activity can be used not only for therapy, but also for the prevention of wet FIP. This is especially important because other recommended FIP treatments using IFN-omega, recombinant feline IFN, glucocorticoids, and cyclophosphamide have been shown to be extremely ineffective. Another, albeit indirect, evidence in favor of the effectiveness of phosphorylated polyprenols in FIP is the fact that this disease is characterized by the phenomenon of antibody-dependent increase in viral infection. A similar phenomenon is also characteristic of flavivirus infections, in which drugs based on phosphorylated polyprenols are especially effective.

In terms of data on remission achieved in cats with PI, they are from dry (non-exudative) FIP alone. According to the authors, PI can be considered as a promising agent for the etiotropic therapy of the dry form of FIP.

Bibliography

1. Ozherelkov S.V., Kalinina E.S., Kozhevnikova T.N., Sanin A.V., Timofeeva T.Yu., Timofeev A.V., Stevenson D.R. Experimental study of the phenomenon of antibody-dependent enhancement of the infectivity of tick-borne encephalitis virus in vitro // ZhMEI, 2008; 6:39-43.
2. Rakhmanina N.A. Clinical and epizootological features and diagnosis of feline infectious peritonitis: Ph.D. diss. ... cand. vet. Sciences. - M., 2007.
3. Sanin A.V. FIP - Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? // Russian Veterinary Journal. Small domestic and wild animals, 2011; 4:17-20.
4. Furman I.M., Vasiliev I.K., Narovlyansky A.N., Pronin A.V., Sanin A.V. The use of drugs based on plant polyprenols in various forms of feline infectious peritonitis // Russian Veterinary Journal. Small domestic and wild animals, 2010; 3:42-43.
5. German A. Between a rock and a hard place: diagnosis and treatment of FIP // Abstr. ISFM Feline Symposium 2010, pre-BSAVA Congress.
6. Hartmann K, Ritz S. Treatment of cats with feline infectious peritonitis // Vet Immunol. Immunopathol., 2008; fifteen; 123(1-2): 172-175.
7. Kipar A., ​​Meli M.L., Failing K., Euler T., Gomes-Keller M.A., Schwartz D., Lutz H., Reinacher M. Natural feline coronavirus infection: differences in cytokine patterns in association with the outcome of infection / / Vet Immunol Immunopathol., 2006; fifteen; 112(3-4): 141-55.
8. Legendre A.M., Bartges J.W. Effect of Polyprenyl Immunostimulant on the survival times of three cats with the dry form of feline infectious peritonitis // Feline Med Surg., 2009; 11(8): 624-626.
9. Pedersen N.C. A review of feline infectious peritonitis virus infection: 1963-2008 // Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 2009; 11:225-258.
10. Takano T., Katada Y., Moritoh S., Ogasawara M., Satoh K., Satoh R., Tanabe M., Hohdatsu T. Analysis of the mechanism of antibody-dependent enhancement of feline infectious peritonitis virus infection: aminopeptidase N is not important and a process of acidification of the endosome is necessary // J Gen Virol., 2008; 89(Pt 4): 1025-1029.

SUMMARY

I.O. Pereslegina, A.A. Videnina, A.N. Narovlyansky, A.V. Pronin, A.V. Sanin. Novel Approach to FIP Therapy. Studied were two clinical cases with ‘wet’/effusive form of FIP The diagnosis of FIP was made based on the clinical signs, which included ultrasound and fluid examination, blood analysis, and RT-PCR test. Abdominal effusions were found in both cases, RT-PCR was positive, blood analysis revealed significantly elevated globulins level and decreased dramatically albumin:globulin ratio, as well as moderate anemia, and hyperbilirubinaemia. Abdominal fluid was viscous, straw-coloured, frothed on shaking. Both cats responded favourably to complex treatment that also included pre-warmed phosphorilated polyprenols inoculated into the abdominal cavity immediately after abdominal fluid aspiration. One to two weeks following the beginning of the treatment clinical signs subsided, blood normalized, both cats are still alive, 15 and 52 months after the diagnosis of ‘wet’ form of FIP was made.

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An attentive owner will definitely notice changes in the behavior of his pet. Owners of young cats and those whose age limit has crossed the line of 11 years should be on the lookout. Viral peritonitis is a dangerous disease.

Viral peritonitis in cats - what is the danger

When a person decides to have a pet, he is well aware that this is a huge responsibility. Bringing an animal into the house, you need to be clearly aware that now the life and health of this fluffy creature depends entirely on your care. Feeling this, the cat or dog will repay with devotion and love, giving a lot of unforgettable moments.

Most often, a pet becomes a full-fledged member of the family, and in case of his illness, they worry about him as for a loved one. The loss of a four-legged friend is especially painful for children and lonely people. To protect a family pet from illnesses and loved ones from shocks, it is better to find out in advance about possible diseases of cats in order to prevent their development.

Viral peritonitis primarily affects young cats under two years of age and individuals after eleven. This does not mean that the disease is not terrible for those who do not fall into this group. Infectious peritonitis in cats is caused by a virus from the genus coronavirus. But if, according to scientists, the coronavirus is present in the body of every cat, then peritonitis is caused by its mutating forms. It is believed that the mutation occurs after the animal suffered stress. This disease is rare - about 10% of animals become infected with this disease, but, unfortunately, the number of deaths is 100%. A natural question arises: why such a high mortality? The fact is that this disease is relatively young. It has been known to science only since the 80s, so very little has been studied. To date, there are only assumptions about the origin of this disease. So far no cure has been found. Doctors can only alleviate the suffering of the animal. In addition, there is no vaccination, which aggravates the situation.

As mentioned above, cats under two and after eleven years of age are primarily affected. It was found that the infection enters the mouth. Sources of infectious peritonitis can be:

• contaminated food, if it was previously eaten by a cat that is a carrier of the disease;
• feces with a virus that accidentally got into the mouth of an animal;
• cats licking each other;
• mating animals in nurseries;
• infection of the kitten by the mother.

Another version of the development of the disease is a mutation of the coronavirus. That is, it is known that this virus is in every pet, but until a certain point it does not make itself felt. After the stress or illness suffered by the animal, the virus mutates and infection with viral peritonitis occurs.

Symptoms of viral peritonitis

Every loving owner will notice the slightest change in the condition of their beloved four-legged friend. You should be alerted by such unusual phenomena:

• lack of appetite;
• weight loss;
• an increase in the volume of the abdomen;
• depressive state;
• shortness of breath;
• dryness of the upper eyelid;
• pupil shape change.

How does infectious peritonitis in cats progress?

Viral peritonitis has two forms of manifestation:

1. Exudative form of the disease. Also called "wet". Sweating (accumulation) of fluid in the stomach is characteristic, which leads to inflammatory processes. Fluid can also form in the heart, disrupting the functioning of this organ.
2. Non-exudative form or dry, accompanied by damage to the eyes, internal organs, nervous system.

Unfortunately, after 2-5 weeks, the affected animal dies.

The first thing you need to pay attention to is a sharp decrease in the weight of the pet, while an increase in the abdomen. The cat may behave strangely, for example, change mood quickly. There is paralysis of the limbs, more often the hind limbs.

Finding these symptoms, you should immediately go to the veterinarian. To make a diagnosis, a puncture of the abdomen is done. But only after the autopsy of an already deceased animal can it be confirmed.

Treatment for peritonitis

Due to insufficient research into this disease, there is currently no cure for an affected pet. The disease irreversibly affects the internal organs, and they cease to function. Doctors administer antimicrobial and antiviral drugs. Pumping out fluid from the abdominal cavity. But this does not give positive results, and the animal dies anyway.

It should be remembered that this disease is not transmitted to humans. That is, you can take care of your pet without fear of being infected.

Disease prevention

If infectious peritonitis cannot be cured, you can try to protect the cat from the possibility of acquiring it. To do this, follow the recommendations of leading veterinarians:

• to protect the communication of a cat with other cats;
• if you have several animals, you need to constantly keep the toilet clean and wash trays with disinfectants;
• avoid stress in the pet;
• provide adequate nutrition;
• avoid visiting places where there are a large number of cats.

Viral peritonitis causes pathomorphological changes in the animal's body. There is no cure, only symptom relief. In order not to face this terrible disease, you need to remember all the recommendations of experts and take care of your pets.

Peritonitis is an inflammatory disease of the membrane covering the organs of the abdominal cavity. This is a dangerous condition that is often fatal. In our article, we will talk about the symptoms of the disease and how it is treated.

Feline peritonitis is caused by the coronavirus. It turned out that many healthy individuals have antibodies to this pathogen. Veterinarians have suggested that they are infected with the intestinal form of the disease and have a slight problem with the stool.

Statistics show that 10% of cats that have antibodies to this virus become ill with an infectious species. Infectious peritonitis appears as a result of a mutation of the intestinal coronavirus.

Peritonitis introduces changes in the animal's immune system. The immune system cannot destroy the virus, so it begins to produce a dangerous complex that moves through the vessels and accumulates in different organs. Because of this, inflammation begins. That is, antibodies, instead of destroying the virus, begin to spread it throughout the body.

Ways of infection

The most common viral peritonitis in cats is transmitted by the fecal-oral route. That is, they can become infected either through food or through excrement. The virus is excreted in the feces for several months, then stops, because antibodies are produced. When a healthy cat has access to contaminated feces, they are more likely to get sick.

If the pet is in an area with a highly prevalent virus, then he can become infected with it again. There are times when animals themselves are carriers, but not sources of the virus.

Viral peritonitis can occur as a result of mutations: the virus, entering the body, changes, and then manifests itself in a new form. This means that contact with other individuals is not necessary for the development of the disease. Statistics say that 82% of individuals become infected at exhibitions, of all cases, 27% are in cats kept in groups, and 14% live alone.

Characteristic symptoms

Viral peritonitis has the following symptoms:

• complete loss of appetite;
• apathetic, depressive state;
• gradual weight loss
• stunting;
• a slight increase in temperature;
• the appearance of shortness of breath due to the accumulation of fluid in the chest, which leads to pleurisy;
• violation of the heart rhythm due to the accumulation of fluid in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe heart muscle;
• bloating due to accumulation of fluid in the peritoneum.

Infectious peritonitis has the following symptoms:

• sudden weight loss;
• apathetic state;
• dry plaque over the eyelids;
• unusual behavior, rapid mood swings, paralysis of the limbs;
• damage to the kidneys, liver;
• jaundice;
• short stature;
• poor condition of the coat.

Types of peritonitis

This disease has a wet (exudative) and dry (non-exudative) appearance. There are times when a cat has both forms. With a non-exudative form, purulent-sulfur exudate remains in the abdominal cavity, and with an exudative form, it penetrates into other organs and attacks the entire body, and the circulatory system is involved. Dry peritonitis affects blood vessels less, but fluid accumulates in the abdominal cavity and in other organs, such as the liver, kidneys.

Risk factors

Coronavirus leads to the defeat of different systems:

• Multisystems. There are damages to the omentum, on the mucous membranes of the liver, kidneys, and intestines. Common in dry form of the disease.
• Respiratory systems. The surface of the lungs is affected, pleurisy is formed due to effusion. Most often occurs with dry peritonitis.
• Nervous. Lesions are observed throughout the nervous system.
• Ophthalmic. Lesions are observed around the eyes.

Pets of any breed suffer from peritonitis, but the incidence rate is increasing in exotic cats. Of the diseased animals, 56% are purebred cats. Peritonitis in 80% occurs in younger animals, a high prevalence in individuals from 3 months to 3 years. In adult cats, the disease is less common, more common in elderly animals older than 10 years. The risk group includes pets that are kept in a pack.

Can a person get infected from a cat

Feline viral peritonitis is thought to be similar to the human immunodeficiency virus. There is a myth that the disease can be transmitted to humans, but this is not at all the case.

Coronavirus mutates heavily, so it first attacks the cat's immune system. This is where the similarity with AIDS stops. The owner, even with close contact, has nothing to fear, for him there is no risk of infection.

Treatment Methods

This unpleasant disease is 90% fatal. Treatment of the disease involves an integrated approach. If the owner paid attention to the first signs of the disease, then the chance of recovery increases. The veterinarian usually prescribes the following treatment:

• Antibiotic therapy based on the age, weight and condition of the cat.
• Often the animal has to do a puncture to remove fluid from the abdominal cavity. This alleviates his condition. Simultaneously with pumping, antimicrobials are administered.
• Taking painkillers.
• Acceptance of cardiovascular drugs.
• In more severe cases, a blood transfusion is required.
• Feeding the cat - only from the diet prescribed by the veterinarian.
• Vitamins are needed.
• Often prescribed chemotherapy and hormonal agents.

Prevention

It is important to monitor the condition of the cat and follow simple preventive measures.

• Balanced diet.
• Treatment for worms, fleas, ticks.
• Avoid contact with stray animals.
• Regular preventive examinations with blood and urine tests.
• Vaccination.
• A visit to the veterinarian even with a slight ailment in the form of a violation of the stool and a change in habitual behavior.
• Minimizing stress.
• Avoidance of hormonal drugs.
• The cleanliness of the room.
• Pregnant cats and kittens should be kept separate from other animals.

Can a vaccine protect an animal?

At the moment, vaccination against peritonitis is the only hope for ensuring the safety of your pet. However, the drug Primucel is considered a single prophylactic, and it does not provide a 100% guarantee of protection.

The cat is injected with a weakened virus that spreads only in the upper respiratory tract, as a result of which it should develop strong mucosal immunity.

Vaccination can only be carried out upon reaching 16 weeks, and if the cat lives with a sick animal, then it is only 75% protected.

To protect the cat from the disease, you need to keep the room clean, it is advisable to disinfect it from time to time. Strengthening the immune system will help to avoid the occurrence of infectious and viral diseases.

Peritonitis in a cat is a disease in which there is inflammation of the peritoneum (the membrane lining the abdominal cavity and covering the organs in it). The condition is extremely dangerous for the health and life of the animal. It is difficult to diagnose the disease accurately and on time. Mortality from it is quite high, even in the case of timely qualified veterinary care. Therefore, it is possible to protect a cat from peritonitis by preventing the development of this disease.

Coronovirus is transmitted by the alimentary route, through infected feces. When infected through the oral or nasal cavity, the process of virus introduction occurs in the epithelial cells of the pharynx, respiratory tract or intestines. Most infections at this stage will not cause symptoms. Signs of mild to severe enteritis may be observed.

Factors affecting the development of the pathological process of a cat infected with coronovirus:

1. Strain - there are strains of different virulence
2. Dose-infection with the virus at higher titers increases the risk of developing peritonitis.
3. Stress - any stress provokes the onset of the development of the pathological process
4. genetically determined susceptibility

Symptoms of viral peritonitis in cats

All existing forms of coronoviruses do not cause peritonitis in an animal with good immunity (as a maximum, easily treatable enteritis). However, if animals are poorly kept, when the body's defenses are weakened, the coronovirus mutates, adheres to macrophages, and spreads throughout the body. As a result, foci of the inflammatory process are formed on all tissues of the internal organs, and fluid is heated in the peritoneum.

The clinical picture may vary, depending on the form of pathology. There are two types of viral peritonitis in cats:

• exudative - characterized by effusion into the body cavity;
• dry - effusion, accumulation of fluid during the inflammatory process of the peritoneum are not observed.

Exudative viral peritonitis can be suspected if the cat has the following clinical picture:

• activity and preserved appetite or lethargy, poor appetite, emaciation;
• ascites, pleural effusions
• fever, while the use of antibiotics is ineffective;
• stunting in kittens;

• with effusion in the chest area, breathing is difficult;
• the liver and lymph nodes are enlarged;
• violation of the functions of all organs of the gastrointestinal tract.

Dry type of infectious peritonitis in cats, as a rule, is characterized by a chronic course. The animal has the following symptoms:

• depression;
• sudden weight loss;
• poor appetite;
• enlarged lymph nodes;
• the liver increases in size;
• jaundice;
• keratitis (inflammation of the cornea of ​​the eye);
• the vascular membranes of the eye are inflamed (uveitis);
• if the virus also infects the nervous system, neurological disorders such as vestibular disorders, urinary incontinence, convulsions may occur.

Diagnosis of viral peritonitis

Only an experienced specialist can accurately diagnose. For this, the following activities will be carried out:

• a thorough visual inspection of the animal;
• palpation of the abdominal cavity;
• temperature measurement;
• taking effusion for analysis;
• blood tests;
• biopsy;
• if necessary - ultrasound, X-ray, diagnostic laparoscopy.

Before making a diagnosis, the veterinarian will definitely collect a detailed history. For an accurate diagnosis, it is important to know the conditions of the animal, the presence of gastrointestinal disorders in the near future, severe stress, and contacts with other pets. An acute form of pathology can also be triggered by surgical intervention.

Treatment of viral peritonitis in cats

The prognosis for viral peritonitis is poor. Only animals with a mild form of pathology can survive with proper treatment, when the disease is detected on time, and the internal organs are minimally affected.

Effective drugs and treatment regimens do not exist. To alleviate the condition of a sick cat, symptomatic therapy is prescribed, including the use of antibiotics, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressants. If fluid accumulates, a puncture is performed to remove it. In severe forms of anemia, a blood transfusion may be prescribed.

In the fight against viral peritonitis, prevention of the disease plays an important role, one of the main measures of which is to maintain the health of the animal in excellent condition. For this you should:

Owners should be aware that the coronovirus that causes peritonitis in cats does not pose any threat to humans at all, even with the closest contact with an animal.

One of the most dangerous diseases in cats is viral peritonitis, which is difficult to diagnose and in most cases leads to the death of a pet. This ailment is a chronic or subacute disease, the causative agent of which is one of. It is important for the owners of four-legged friends to prevent the onset of the disease, otherwise even quickly rendered qualified assistance may not give results.

What it is

Viral (infectious) peritonitis is a disease characterized by an inflammatory process of the serous membranes that cover the surface and organs of the abdominal cavity from the inside.

Viral peritonitis often occurs without any symptoms.

The disease occurs in three forms: exudative (wet) - the accumulation of exudate in the internal cavities, non-exudative (dry) - the formation of granulomas, hidden (asymptomatic) - this form is observed in 75% of infected cats.

The causative agent of the disease is an RNA-containing coronavirus belonging to the Coronaviridae family. It got its name due to the club-shaped protrusions, outwardly resembling the solar crown. The virus multiplies in the culture of cells of the thyroid gland and kidneys of cats, it is perfectly preserved at low temperatures, but is susceptible to heat and light exposure.

Important. This feline disease arose relatively recently, but some statistics have already been formed today: animals younger than two years old and elderly individuals over 10 years old are most susceptible to viral peritonitis. Cats between 2 and 11 years of age are less susceptible to the disease.

Causes of viral peritonitis

Infectious peritonitis occurs as a result of infection with a foreign virus - a coronavirus, which has selective activity: in some animals it provokes the most severe pathological processes in the body, while others are practically immune to it. What is the reason for this selectivity has not been clarified.

Viral peritonitis develops against the background of infection of a cat with a coronavirus.

Ways of transmission of infection: how does infection occur

Viral peritonitis should be attributed to diseases that occur in the complete absence of sanitation. The main route of infection is oral-fecal: when eating contaminated food or when the excrement of a sick pet accidentally enters the body of a healthy one. Within a few months, the virus is shed in the feces of an infected animal, after which antibodies begin to develop in the cat.

The virus can also spread through the air, so airborne transmission is possible. Also, scientists are inclined to believe that infectious peritonitis can occur in cats due to a mutation, i.e. the virus enters the body of an animal, mutates and manifests itself in a new guise. This means that for the development of the disease it is not at all necessary to contact with sick individuals.

Despite the rarity of this disease, its mortality rates are shocking - almost 100%.

Infection with viral peritonitis in cats occurs as follows:

• Once in the animal's body, the virus first multiplies in the intestines or tonsils, then passes into the regional lymph nodes. There is a primary viremia (viremia).
• Through the blood, the virus spreads to organs and tissues, especially those with a large number of vessels and macrophages (cells that capture and digest bacteria and toxins). Rapidly spreading through macrophages, the disease passes into the stage of secondary viremia.

The main route of infection with viral peritonitis is eating contaminated food.

In the presence of strong immunity, the animal is able to overcome the further development of the disease. However, in the absence of adequate immune protection, the virus will continue to multiply in macrophages. The latter, in turn, will accumulate near the blood vessels, mainly under the serous membranes and in the connective tissues of the organs. Such a development of the disease rapidly leads to death.

Symptoms of the disease

The incubation period of viral peritonitis lasts from several weeks to several months. The clinical picture of the disease depends on the form of its manifestation. With the exudative form, the main sign of the presence of the disease is. Such swelling indicates the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. In a minority of affected animals, fluid leaks into the pleural region and the outer lining of the heart, causing shortness of breath and an irregular heartbeat.

Also, with the exudative form, there are:

• loss of appetite;
• depressive state;
• a slight increase in body temperature;
• gradual weight loss.

The non-exudative form of viral peritonitis is manifested by the following symptoms:

• damage to internal organs;
• depression and apathy;
• weight loss.

Often, the disease also affects the condition of the eyes: the iris becomes inflamed, intensifies, dry plaque appears in the area under the eyelids, and even the development of blindness is possible.

One of the most striking symptoms of viral peritonitis is severe bloating of the abdomen.

Infectious peritonitis can also give complications to the nervous system: the pet has strange behavior, paralysis occurs, and coordination of movements is disturbed.

How is it different from enteritis?

Coronaviruses, which are widespread in cats, cause both viral peritonitis and coronavirus. Despite the genetic similarity of these two diseases, their biological characteristics are markedly different.

When enteritis affects the cells of the epithelium of the small intestine, resulting in the main symptom - a violation of the motility of the gastrointestinal tract. Peritonitis, in turn, is characterized by an effect on the cells of the immune system and damage to the whole organism, which leads to the death of the animal.

Characteristics of the disease

Many healthy cats have antibodies to the causative agent of viral peritonitis, the coronavirus. Currently, statistics show that 10% of these cats subsequently develop infectious peritonitis as a result of a mutation in the intestinal coronavirus.

Many scientists tend to believe that the peritonitis virus is the result of a natural mutation of the enteritis virus. Once in the intestines, the enteritis virus seeks to expand its habitat by mutating into exactly the form that can multiply in macrophages. As soon as the goal is achieved, the affected macrophages, instead of destroying the virus, spread it throughout the body, giving a "start" to a more terrible disease - viral peritonitis.

Cats with viral peritonitis can live from a few days to 1 year.

Interesting. How long do cats live with this disease? In the case of a non-exudative form, subject to early diagnosis, the animal is able to live up to 1 year. With the exudative form of the disease, the prognosis is disappointing: as a rule, the pet has to live from a few days to a couple of weeks.

What systems can be affected by the virus

Once in the body, the coronavirus disrupts various vital systems:

• respiratory - the surface of the lungs is affected, pleurisy occurs;
• nervous - vestibular disorders, paralysis, urinary incontinence, lethargy may appear;
• visual - there are lesions around the eyes, (inflammation of the choroid of the eye), (inflammation of the cornea of ​​​​the eye);
• digestive and excretory - the mucous membranes of the liver, intestines, kidneys, as well as the fatty fold in the peritoneum (omentum) are damaged.

Risk factors

It has been established that cats of absolutely different breeds are prone to viral peritonitis, however, in individuals of exotic species, the risk of morbidity increases. Of all infected animals, about 56% are purebred cats.

The main risk factors include the age category of the pet. In 80% of cases, the disease overtakes young animals from 3 months to 3 years. Also, the risk of infection increases in individuals of advanced age over 10 years. Cats kept in groups are also included in the risk group.

Cats over 10 years of age are more prone to viral peritonitis.

Can a person get infected from a sick cat

Many people who are ignorant in the field of virology are tormented by the question “is viral peritonitis transmitted to humans?”. Some mistakenly believe that coronavirus is similar to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), but in reality this is not the case. In history, there has not yet been a single recorded case of human infection with a feline coronavirus, so even with close contact with your pet, the owner is not in danger.

Diagnosis of viral peritonitis

Diagnosing viral peritonitis in cats is not as easy as it might seem. First of all, the veterinarian will take an anamnesis: what conditions the animal is kept in, whether there have been recent digestive system disorders or sneezing, whether the pet has been exposed to stressful situations, whether there have been surgical operations, whether there has been contact with other cats, etc.

Next, the doctor will carefully examine the animal, palpate and measure the temperature. After that comes the most important stage of diagnosing the disease - laboratory tests. In most cases, PCR diagnostics is used, based on the detection of the genome in pathological material. Serological tests for antibody titer, all kinds of blood tests, ultrasound diagnostics and X-rays, taking effusion from the chest or abdominal cavity for analysis are also carried out.

The most reliable diagnostic method is a biopsy followed by histology of the material taken. However, this method is not always possible in the case of a running infectious process, since the animal must be placed on the operating table for laparotomy.

One of the most effective diagnostic methods is the PCR test.

Treatment of the disease

Viral peritonitis is a relatively new problem for which no effective remedy has yet been developed. In the case of this disease, treatment with folk remedies or modern antiviral drugs will not work. All that doctors can do is only to alleviate the condition of a sick animal.

To do this, antibiotic therapy is prescribed, a puncture to remove fluid from the abdominal cavity, painkillers and drugs to maintain the cardiovascular system. Sometimes blood transfusions, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy are required.

To date, numerous experiments are being carried out to develop an effective cure for viral peritonitis.

Preventive measures

To avoid the occurrence of peritonitis in a cat, the following rules should be followed:

Vaccination against viral peritonitis with Primucel is the only hope for salvation from this terrible disease. However, it does not give a 100% guarantee of protection. A weakened virus is introduced into the cat's body, which spreads exclusively in the upper respiratory tract, due to which the animal develops stable immunity of the mucous membranes. Pets can be vaccinated at 16 weeks of age.

In the video, a veterinarian talks about viral peritonitis in cats.