Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)

Home » Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) » Risk Factors and Causes

Risk Factors
Experts agree that FIP appears to affect young (3 months to 5 years) and old (10 to 14 years) cats. Kittens may be most vulnerable, particularly those under 16 weeks, as they have incompletely developed immune systems. Males and females are affected equally.

Purebred cats in general are regarded as being at higher risk, and certain breeds, notably Persians and Burmese, seem to be most susceptible to FIP. One study of pedigree and health data from 10 generations of cats in purebred catteries suggests the existence of a genetic predisposition to the development of FIP. Researchers found the inheritability of susceptibility to FIP could be as high as 50%.

Outdoor cats and cats that live in catteries and multi-cat households are at greater risk than solitary, indoor animals. Exchanging animals, especially kittens and young cats, increases the risk. Cats in actively breeding households are also considered to be at risk.

Cats in poor physical condition and those under stress are more susceptible to FIP. The presence of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) may predispose a cat to developing FIP. Poor nutrition and husbandry practices that produce highly inbred cats increase the likelihood of infection. The stress associated with neutering, vaccination, or moving to a new home may be risk factors as well.

Causes

About 95% of cats with FECV remain healthy. In some cats, the infection begins a cascade of genetic mutations within the feline enteric coronavirus (FECV), and the cat's immune system response climaxes in FIP. Most of these mutations are harmless, but some have the effect of causing disease. These mutant FECV strains are called FIPV. Another theory holds that FIP may be caused by FECV and other viruses combined.

Research suggests that some cats have a preexisting antibody to FIPV, which sensitizes the animal to the mutant virus. Instead of killing the virus, the FIPV antibodies seem to accelerate and actually promote the disease process. This phenomenon is called antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE), in which the sensitized cat experiences a more serious disease than a cat that lacks the preexisting antibody. This vulnerability may be exacerbated by an undeveloped immune system in a kitten or young cat or by weakening the immune system in an older cat. This strongly suggests that most cats do not "catch" FIP, but develop it from their own mutant FECV.

Transmission
Transmission occurs when a healthy cat comes in direct physical contact with an infected animal or its feces. Infected cats shed coronavirus in their saliva and feces. Primary transmission occurs by ingestion of the virus by the fecal-oral route and, to a lesser extent, through saliva or respiratory droplets, followed by contact with an acutely infected animal that is shedding the virus.

FIP viruses can survive for 2 to 3 weeks at room temperature on dry surfaces, including feeding bowls, toys, litter boxes, bedding, and clothing; and small particles of fecal material can adhere to the dust in cat litter. The virus conceivably could be spread via litter dust picked up on shoes, clothing, or another animal's fur.

If a mother cat is an FECV carrier, she can shed the virus to her kittens. Preventive measures, such as early weaning and isolation from the mother, are advised.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) Resources

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