FELINE CORONAVIRUS

Infection with feline coronavirus is very common in shelter cats. It is important to know about because feline coronavirus can mutate and lead to the development of feline infectious peritonitis, a disease which involves an inflammation of the blood vessels and which is always fatal. However, not all cats that test positive for the coronavirus develop FIP. In fact, only a very small percentage do so. Also, cats that initially test positive can turn negative (usually following scrupulous and frequent cleaning of the litter box, although personal experience suggests that it is a long shot).

Testing positive for the coronavirus is not grounds for euthanasia of a cat. As noted above, most cats that test positive live long and healthy lives with no signs of illness. Only a very small percentage will develop FIP. Those that do so tend to be kittens or cats more than 12 years old. However, you should be familiar with the warning signs of feline infectious peritonitis and take your cat to the vet immediately upon observation of any of these signs (although these can also be warning signs of other illnesses):

• Weight loss
• Recurring fevers that are not alleviated by antibiotics
• Disinterest in food
• Lethargy
• Sudden swelling of the abdomen
• A change in the color of the iris of the eye, cloudiness or bleeding
• Difficulty breathing
• Fit or seizure
• Clumsiness, loss of balance
• Personality changes