Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is curable!

The treatment of FIP lasts 12 weeks. However, the cat feels significantly better within a week. It is nevertheless essential to complete the twelve-week treatment, as otherwise the virus is not completely eliminated and a relapse is to be expected after the end of the treatment. Close monitoring of the cat during treatment is also important. Sometimes adjustments to the treatment regimen are necessary.

Treatment progress

Day 1–2:

The Fever should subside. The appetite may already return a little. It is possible that the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity and chest will increase slightly.

Day 3–5: Most cats are doing much better. The eye and neurological Symptoms: also subside. The neurological Symptoms: largely subside somewhat.

Day 7: The Dyspnea (dyspnea) usually disappears as the causative fluid accumulation in the chest (pleural effusion) is reabsorbed by the body.

Days 7–14: During this time, the effusion in the abdominal cavity (Ascites) is also largely reabsorbed, and the ocular Symptoms: have significantly or completely subsided.

Day 21–28: The absorption of the abdominal effusion is complete. The neurological Symptoms: are significantly reduced or no longer present.

Monitoring of the therapy

• Weighing and adjusting the dose: at least weekly. Since the cat starts eating and gaining weight during therapy and young animals are still growing, the dose must be adjusted. Underdosing jeopardizes the success of the therapy.
• Blood count control: Based on the blood count and clinical-chemical values, the success of the therapy can be assessed, and measures for optimization may be taken. The control should be carried out every 4–6 weeks. At least glucose, creatinine, BUN, albumin, globulin, ALT, ALP, and total bilirubin should be determined.
• Monitoring clinical Symptoms:: Clinical Symptoms: must be monitored throughout the treatment to ensure that the decrease or disappearance of Symptoms: meets expectations. New Symptoms: may become visible because they were superimposed by the disease state before treatment. This can be the case, for example, with neurological Symptoms:.

Completion of therapy

To determine whether a patient is ready to complete treatment after 84 days or after a longer course of treatment, both clinical and diagnostic information must be considered. It is imperative that the overall picture of the cat’s health is considered, rather than overemphasizing a slightly abnormal value in the blood count. (For example, a slightly high globulin value or a slightly low albumin to globulin ratio.) The cat should be treated, not the blood count!

Blood count

To assess whether treatment can be stopped, a blood count and clinical-chemical values in the blood serum should be determined. Ideally, the usual blood values for FIP should be back within the normal range. More precisely:

• The anemia should be resolved.
• The Neutrophile Granulocytes should be in the normal range.
• The percentage of lymphocytes should be 20% or more.
• Lymphocytosis is often observed during and after treatment and is the result of immune activation. It can take months to fully normalize.
• Lymphocytosis can be neglected in connection with FIP.
• The hyperbilirubinemia disappears.
• The globulins are within the normal range

An albumin/globulin ratio of 0.7 or higher is desirable, although some cats do not achieve this but can still be considered cured. An A/G value below 0.7 is less concerning if it is due to normal globulins and low (or low-normal) albumin values, and not vice versa.

Blood count and serum chemistry also include numerous other values that can generally be ignored unless they are significantly elevated or lowered and are associated with clinical Symptoms:.

Unless there are specific concerns, performing an ultrasound or X-ray examination at the end of treatment is neither necessary nor recommended. This is because small amounts of abdominal fluid or vague irregularities in organs such as the kidneys, spleen, pancreas, or intestines in the end stage are more residual findings than signs of active disease in the ultrasound.

Clinical assessment

• The cat should be examined for external signs of its health. For example:
• Have the neurological and ocular Symptoms: subsided?
• Keep in mind that neurological and ocular FIP can leave some permanent damage/Symptoms:
• Does the cat have a normal (or above normal) energy level?
• Does the cat have a normal appetite?
• Has the cat gained weight?

If a cat does not essentially meet the above criteria, it is recommended to increase the dosage and extend the treatment by at least 4 weeks.

After completion of the treatment, it is recommended to observe the cat for three months to determine whether the treatment was successful. During this time, a check-up and a blood count are recommended every 4–6 weeks.

As a supportive measure, the additional administration of vitamin B 12 during treatment is useful. Vitamin B 12 is required for the formation of red blood cells. It is particularly found in animal feedstuffs such as meat, offal, fish, and eggs.