Homevet

FIP in cats is a final frontier for veterinary science and a problem we need to solve fast. Unfortunately FIP is quite common in HK.

“Imagine a disease that is infectious yet not contagious, has 100% mortality, virtually no diagnostic test to confirm it, and no effective treatment. When feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) becomes a possibility for a pet cat, questions abound yet not nearly enough answers.”  (Wendy C. Brooks, DVM)

At Homevet we have seen many cases of FIP and it’s a devastating disease. Feline infectious peritonitis is a reaction to infection with the feline coronavirus. Most cats who get infected with feline enteric coronavirus have very mild symptoms.

 In a small percent of infected cats (5 to 10 percent), either because of a mutation of the virus, or by an abnormal immune response, the coronavirus infection progresses into FIP.

The most common transmission of feline coronavirus is when infected female cats pass the virus to their kittens. In addition coronavirus can also live in the environment for several weeks and be transmitted to other cats by exposure to feces.

The mutation from coronavirus to FIP is more likely to occur in a cat with an immune-compromise, these   are mostly kittens under 1 year of age, or if live in a very crowded situation with other cats. 

At Homevet we import Polyprenyl Immunostimulant (PI) from Sass & Sass in the US which is said to help with some forms of dry FIP. For more questions about FIP in cats in Hong Kong, or how to prevent it or treat it, feel free to email us pets@homevet.com.hk or call 98605522