Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)

What is FIP?

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a serious disease of cats. It starts with feline coronavirus (FCoV), a very common virus that lives in the gut and usually causes no illness or only mild diarrhoea. In a small number of cats, the virus changes inside the body and spreads with white blood cells, causing inflammation in many organs.

FIP is most common in young cats and in homes, shelters or catteries with many cats. There are two main forms. In wet FIP, fluid builds up in the belly or chest. In dry FIP, there is little fluid, and signs depend on which organs are affected, such as the eyes, liver, kidneys or brain. Some cats show features of both.

Signs to watch for

Common signs include:

• Fever that keeps coming back
• Poor appetite, weight loss and low energy
• A swollen belly
• Fast or hard breathing
• Yellow gums or eyes (jaundice)
• Eye changes, wobbly walking or fits

Which lab tests help

No single simple test confirms FIP in every cat, so your vet puts several results together.

If there is fluid, your vet collects a small amount with a needle. The Rivalta Test is a quick test on this fluid. A negative result makes FIP less likely, while a positive result fits FIP but can also happen with bacterial infection or some cancers. A Fluid Examination Routine checks the colour, protein and cells; FIP fluid is often yellow, sticky and rich in protein. The FCoV / FIP RT-PCR looks for coronavirus genetic material, and testing the fluid gives the most useful result.

Blood tests add more clues. The Protein Total, Albumin, Globulin test measures two kinds of blood protein, albumin and globulin, and gives the ratio between them. A low ratio, meaning a lot of globulin compared with albumin, fits FIP but does not confirm it, while a high ratio makes FIP less likely. A Complete Blood Count (CBC) may show low lymphocytes (a type of white cell) or mild anaemia, and Feline SAA (Serum Amyloid A) can show inflammation.

Many healthy cats carry feline coronavirus, so a positive coronavirus result on its own is not enough to confirm FIP. A Feline Coronavirus Antibody (ELISA) only shows that a cat has met the virus.

A registered veterinarian interprets every result together with your cat's signs and history.

When to see your vet

See your vet promptly if your cat has a fever that keeps coming back, a swollen belly, yellow gums or wobbly walking. Breathing trouble needs a vet the same day.

Testing in Bhopal

Pashupatinath Vet Lab in Shahpura, Bhopal provides free sample collection anywhere in Bhopal. Fluid samples are collected by your vet. From other districts, samples can be sent through your local vet, by courier or by bus parcel; the lab coordinates by phone or WhatsApp on +91 88175 01118. The lab confirms the method, sample needs and reporting time when you book. Reports come on WhatsApp, by email and in My Reports.