Chapter 1.

The FIP diagnosis algorithm for cat guardians

Step 1. The cat’s history

1. Has the cat had an opportunity to catch the virus?

2. Has the cat experienced a stress?

Step 2. The cat’s clinical signs (symptoms)

Maybe wet FIP? Maybe dry FIP?

see table 1
see table 2

Step 3. The vet takes a sample of fluid Step 3. The vet takes a sample of blood

1. A Rivalta test can be performed at the veterinary
surgery – see below for details in the text
2. Other, simple, tests can be performed at the surgery
or sent to a laboratory
3. An in-house feline coronavirus antibody test may be
performed (sometimes these are mis-called FIP tests)
1. Haematology and biochemistry tests performed
in the surgery
2. An in-house feline coronavirus antibody test
may be performed (sometimes these are mis-
called FIP tests)

FIP ruled
FIP ruled Step 4. The vet sends samples off to a specialist laboratory out
out
1. A specialised FCoV antibody test may be performed
2. Effusion or fine needle aspirate* may be sent for FCoV RT-PCR
3. A sample may be sent for AGP testing
FIP still 4. A biopsy may be performed FIP still
suspected
suspected

Step 5. Your cat either has FIP and begins treatment (see chapter 2) Other
Other or tests
tests
has some other condition requiring different treatment or more tests

*A fine needle aspirate is where a needle is put into a lump and some cells are drawn off – this technique can save
the cat the trauma of investigative surgery
Chapter 1. Pancho’s story
Chapter 2.
Chapter 3.
Fig 3.1

This is Tommy: look at how his pupils are the same size in this photograph taken in 2007 and both irises (the
coloured part) are the same colour

In 2010, Tommy’s pupils are now different sizes and the shape of his left pupil (on the right in the
photograph) is uneven, notice also that the left iris (the coloured part) differs from the right iris - it is
darker. These worrying developments warranted a veterinary investigation and fortunately he was found
to be suffering from toxoplasmosis, which was treatable, not FIP. However had it been FIP, I would have
instigated interferon omega treatment immediately. Tommy is still alive and well in 2012, at time of
writing.
 Chapter 3.

Fig 3.2 Eye changes (uveitis) in a cat with dry FIP

Note the subtle discolouration (white arrow

pointing to reddish-greyish part) at the
edge of this cat’s iris – this is called uveitis,
and is a sign of dry FIP (though can also
be caused by other conditions which may
be treatable, e.g. toxoplasmosis).
Chapter 3. WSAVA body condition score chart:

Source : www.wsava.org/PDF/Misc/WSAVA_GlobalNutritionalAssessmentGuidelines_2011.pdf
Chapter 4.
Figure 4.1 FCoV infected kitten littermates tend to be different sizes

Photo courtesy of Allan May

Figure 4.2 Kittens who are FCoV free tend to be similar in size

Photo courtesy of Max and Winifred Robertson

Chapter 5.

The story of Max and Lo

Photo courtesy of David Mastin.

Chapter 5.

This is Mirabelle in 2010

Mirabelle in 2007.
 Fig 6.1 Every cat should have his or her own pen with perspex doors to
Chapter 6. communal corridors and natural ventilation to the outside

Note the wire mesh to the Note that potential cat guardians can only interact with the
outside – ensuring the cat has cats using a toy and that each cat has his or her own toy.
plenty of clean, fresh air. This minimises indirect transmission of infectious organisms
on their clothing or hands to other cats and kittens.

Cats have a high-sided bed, so they There is a perspex front to each cage, ensuring that dust from cat litter (as
can hide if they feel stressed. The well as air-borne infections such as cat flu viruses) cannot circulate in the
bed contains a heated cat blanket. communal corridor, which prevents infection of other cats.
Chapter 6.

Figure 6.2 A clumping cat litter

The litter in this photograph is World’s Best Cat Litter.

 Chapter 6.

Figure 6.3

The trays in the top photograph on the left contain

World’s Best Cat Litter: you can see here, after a
couple of days, that although there are some
particles of cat litter outside the box, it hasn’t
travelled far. Compare it with the photograph below
– the litter tray containing pelleted wood cat litter
had been put in less than an hour before the
photograph was taken, and already you can see to
the right of the basket that there is litter all over the
floor.
Chapter 6.

Figure 6.4

Notice the good hygiene practice in that

each pen has its own brush and shovel and
that the pen number is written on them.

However, unfortunately the pens have wire

mesh fronts, opening into a communal
corridor with shared air space. This shelter
was in the process of building better runs
but meanwhile was implementing best
practice it could.
Chapter 6.

Figure 6.5

Store clean cat litter away from sources

of possible contamination – in this shelter
which I visited, I found that the used cat
litter was put into open bins right beside
the clean litter and dry cat food. In
addition, it was the worst kind of cat litter
that was used - wood pellets - so that a
cloud of contaminated sawdust floated
onto the new litter and food every time
the dirty cat litter was dumped into the bin
– no wonder there were FIP outbreaks at
this shelter! Sometimes it is worth calling
in a consultant to examine your premises
and your routines in order to spot where
infection is coming from and how it is
being spread.
Chapter 6.
Figure 6.6 The outdoor part of the cat pens at Leicester RSPCA shelter

Although this cat could see and hear dogs in the shelter who were just a few metres (yards) opposite, he was
relaxed and secure, able to run up a ramp and through the cat flap to his own indoor pen whenever he chose.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness could not extinguish it.”
John 1.

Photo of Darcy, who died of FIP, by kind permission of Heather Twidle