Sequoia Humane Society
Promoting animal welfare and individual responsibility for the care and protection of animals. A No-Kill Shelter Promoting Spay/Neuter. 6073 Loma Avenue, Eureka CA 95503 (707) 442-1782 Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, Noon to 5pm Closed Sunday & Monday Incoming animals by appointment only. |
 |
2005 Annual Report
Please click here to view the Sequoia Humane Society's
2005 Annual Report (PDF)
|
Sunny Brae Animal Clinic Eureka Veterinary Hospital Animal Health & Surgery Center Myrtle Avenue Veterinary Hospital McKinleyille Animal Care Ctr Redwood Animal Hospital
Fortuna Vet Clinic
Broadway Animal Hospital
Arcata Animal Hospital
Ferndale Vet Clinic
Healing Spirit Animal Wellness Center
Cutten Animal Health Center
Garberville-Redway Vet Group
Animal Medical Center
|
A friend recently lost her cat to Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP). She learned there was nothing that could be done to save her and urges us to be aware of this disease, particularly if we bring new cats into our home. 
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), caused by a coronavirus, is a chronic, wasting disease that results in poor appetite, fever, and weight loss over several weeks and is ultimately fatal. Because various organs may be affected (i.e., liver, kidneys, brain, eyes, etc.), a variety of clinical signs may be associated with this disease. Cats that are highly stressed are susceptible as the virus may be dormant in their system and a stressed cat may not have the ability to fight the virus.
There are two forms of FIP, the wet (effusive) form and the dry form. The wet form results in accumulation of large quantities of fluid in the chest or abdomen; diagnosis of FIP is much easier if fluid is present. If it occurs in the chest, the cat will experience difficulty breathing. When it occurs in the abdomen, a large, bloated appearance will result. The dry form may progress into the wet form. There is controversy over the incubation period. It appears that the virus may be dormant in some cats for several months or even years before the disease occurs, but in experiments with the virus, cats develop the disease within two weeks of infection. There is a normal enteric coronavirus not associated with FIP, and none of the current tests for FIP accurately differentiates between the normal coronavirus and the coronavirus that causes FIP. This can make the diagnosis of FIP difficult and frustrating. Although organ biopsy is the most reliable test, this requires major surgery. For obvious reasons, this may not be advisable in a sick cat. The following tests are usually used when there are suspicious clinical signs. Coronavirus Test-- This test detects antibodies to any coronavirus. If positive, it indicates that either the normal enteric coronavirus or FIP virus WAS or IS present in the cat. It cannot be determined which virus is reacting to the test. In some cases antibodies may persist even if the virus is no longer present, so a positive test can be misleading. Also, terminally ill cats may have their antibodies "tied up" when large amounts of the FIP virus are present. This can result in a false negative test result. This test must be interpreted in conjunction with results of other tests listed below. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Test-- This test is more specific for the FIP virus than the coronavirus antibody test, but a positive test means the virus is present but does not necessarily mean the disease is present. This test is also subject to some false negative results. Serum Protein Levels-- Total serum protein levels can make a diagnosis but the results may indicate other diseases that are also very severe and usually fatal.  White Blood Cell Count—with an elevated white blood cell count FIP becomes a stronger possibility. Several other diseases may also cause this and some of these are not fatal. To further confound the diagnosis, many cases of FIP have a normal white blood cell count.
Abdominal/Chest Fluid Analysis-- If fluid is present this is a very meaningful test. Characteristics of the fluid and the correct clinical signs can make a diagnosis with greater assurance. Unfortunately, as stated above, this fluid is not present in the dry form of FIP. Fine Needle Aspiration of the Liver or Kidneys-- A few cells may be aspirated from the liver or kidney under a local anesthetic under the skin without stressing the cat. FIP produces a particular inflammatory pattern in these organs which, although not diagnostic, is strongly suggestive for the disease. This helps to rule out other diseases. X-rays of Chest or Abdomen—X-rays serve to identify enlargements in organs and the presence of fluid in the chest or abdomen. They are helpful but not diagnostic and are used to decide which other tests are appropriate. A combination of three blood tests-- a low lymphocyte (a white blood cell) count, a high blood globulin (protein) level, and a positive coronavirus antibody test have been shown to have a 94% chance of having FIP. Because organ biopsy is the only test which is truly diagnostic of FIP, a workup in its absence often includes several or all of the above tests. Strongly suggestive findings with several tests often provide the basis for a presumptive diagnosis of FIP. There are three stages of FIP infection; however significant risk to other cats occurs only in the first two stages. The first stage is initial infection. During the two to four week period following viral infection of the cat, a large amount of virus is shed; other cats in direct contact will be exposed. |
humane@sequoiahumane.org
CalWeb Internet
Online Credit Cards or PayPal
Vote often,
vote every day!
Visit the SHS
Forever Friends
Memory Garden
|
National Animal Poison Control Center
Plants for Pets: Hazardous and Safe
By leaving a legacy through a gift in a will, your commitment can continue. Leave a legacy as a gift in memory of a loved one or special purpose. Learn more here. |
