Feline Diseases

GUIDE TO A HEALTHY CAT

Guide to a Healthy Cat is the definitive guide to feline well-being. Dr. Elaine Wexler-Mitchell provides the most up-to-date information about cat health, including vaccine recommendations, new therapeutic diets, and the latest treatments for kidney disease. You'll find everything you need to know about raising a kitten, feeding the finicky feline, grooming for good health, caring for a senior cat, and keeping peace in a multi-cat home. From the scoop on litter boxes to the keys to feline mental health, this user-friendly guide is packed with plain-English explanations and advice to help keep your cat healthy.

ASK THE VET

The Cat Care Clinic
2638 N. Tustin Street
Orange, CA 92865
714-282-2287

MEET THE VET AND AUTHOR

Dr. Elaine Wexler-Mitchell

Dr. Elaine Wexler-Mitchell is the owner and originator of The Cat Care Clinic. She received an undergraduate degree in biology from Cornell University and her D.V.M. degree from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.

In 1995 Dr. Wexler-Mitchell became board

certified in feline practice-one of 25 charter diplomats. She is a former president of the Academy of Feline Medicine and served on the board of The American Association of Feline Practitioners. She is also a member of other veterinary organizations including AVMA, AAHA, SCVMA, and the CVMA. She is a contributing editor to Cat Fancy magazine and writes the Ask the Vet column. Her first book, The Complete Idiot's Guide to a Healthy Cat, was published in 1999. Dr. Wexler-Mitchell is married and is the owner of two Somali cats-Keiki and Shaka.

Feline Upper Respiratory Viruses
-Panleukopenia

Feline Infection Peritonitis Quoted from Cornell University pamphlet, "Feline Infection Peritonitis," copywrited 1995

What is feline infection peritonitis (FIP)?
"Feline infection peritonitis (FIP) is a disease caused by a coronavirus infection. Many different strains of coronavirus are capable of infecting cats, but most do not produce serious disease. FIP-producing strains are distinguished by their ability to invade and grow in certain white blood cells. The infected cells transport the virus throughout the cat's body. An intense inflammatory reaction occurs in the tissues where these virus-infected cells locate. It is this interaction between the body's own immune system and the virus that is responsible for the disease.
Infected cats shed coronavirus in their saliva and feces. Most cats become infected by inhaling or ingesting the virus, either by direct contact with an infected cat, or by contact with virus-contaminated surfaces like clothing, bedding, feeding bowls, or toys.
Although the virus can survive for a number of weeks in the environment, it is rapidly inactivated by most household detergents and disinfectants. An inexpensive and effective disinfectant is one part of household bleasch in thirty-two parts of water (4 ounces of bleach per gallon of water)."

Symptoms:
"Initial exposure to the FIP virus usually results in no obvious clinical disease, although some cats may experience a mild upper respiratory disease that is characterized by sneezing, watery eyes, and watery nasal discharge. Some cats may experience a mild intestinal disease. Most cats that undergo the primary infection completely recomver, although some of them my become virus carriers. Only a small percentage of exposed cats develop the lethal disease--weeks, months, or perhaps years after primary infection.
The onset of clinical signs of lethal FIP may be sudden (especially in kittens)m or the signs may gradually increase in severity over a period of weeks. Many cats have nonspecific signs such as intermittent inappetence, depression, rough harir coat, weithg loss, and fever.
The major forms of lethal FIP are effusive (wet) FIP, noneffusive (dry) FIP, and combinations of both. The most characteristic sign of effusive FIP is the accumulation of fluid within the abdomen and/or chest. When fluid accumulation becomes excessive, it may become difficult for the cat to breathe normaly.
The onset of noneffusive RIP is usually slower. Fluid accumulation in minimal, although weight loss, depression, anemia, and fever are almost always present. Signs of kidney failure, (increased water consumption and urination), liver failure (jaundice), pancreatic disease (vomiting, diarrhea, diabetes), neurologic disease (loss of balance, behavioral changes, paralysis, seizures), enteritis (vomiting, diarrhea), or eye disease (inflammation, blindness) may be seen in various combinations.
FIP is often a difficult disease to diagnose because each cat can display different signs that are similar to those of many other diseases."

What are the chances my cat will get FIP in its lifetime?
"Young cats (less than two years of age), older cats (over ten years old), cats in poor physical condition, and cats undergoing concurrent infections or stress are more susceptible to FIP. It is a relatively uncommon disease in the general cat population, probably affectiong fewer than one percent of the cats brought to a veterinarian's office for treatment. In multiple cat populations such as some shelters and catteries the disease rate can be much higher, affectiong up to 10 to 20 percent of the susceptible population over a period of several months."

Feline Diseases

Feline Upper Respiratory Viruses -Panleukopenia

Feline Infection Peritonitis Quoted from Cornell University pamphlet, "Feline Infection Peritonitis," copywrited 1995

Feline Upper Respiratory Viruses
-Panleukopenia