10/13/2026
😻 Meet Luthor! He is the owner of one of our amazing CSRs here at Cat Tales! Luthor is also our patient, and is currently undergoing treatment for Feline Infectious Peritonitis, or FIP. This virus used to be a fatal diagnosis for our feline friends, but with aggressive treatment and wonderful cat care medical teams, success in treatment and long lives are now the norm for FIP warriors. Please send our boy Luthor and his moms some warm thoughts and healing vibes 😽
Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a viral disease in cats caused by a mutation of the feline enteric coronavirus (FeCV).
What Causes FIP
• The Virus: Most cats get infected with common, harmless feline enteric coronavirus through contact with infected f***s.
• The Mutation: In roughly 10% of infected cats, the virus mutates inside the body into the feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV), which infects white blood cells and triggers severe inflammation.
• Contagion: The coronavirus itself is contagious among cats (especially in multi-cat homes, shelters, or catteries), but the actual disease of FIP is not directly passed from cat to cat.
Common Forms of FIP
• Wet (Effusive) FIP: The more common form, marked by fluid buildup inside body cavities like the abdomen or chest, leading to a swollen belly or breathing trouble.
• Dry (Non-Effusive) FIP: Involves granular inflammatory masses (granulomas) forming inside internal organs.
• Neurological and Ocular FIP: Both wet and dry forms can affect the central nervous system or eyes, causing seizures, loss of balance, bleeding in the eyes, or blindness.
Key Risk Factors
• Age: Most affected cats are young, typically between 3 months and 2 years old (though cats of any age can get it).
• Environment: Living in high-density groups (shelters, catteries, or multi-cat houses) increases exposure risk.
• Genetics and Stress: Purebred cats, stressed cats, or those with weakened immune systems or recent surgeries are more susceptible.
Outlook and Treatment
• Historical vs. Current Prognosis: FIP was once considered almost universally fatal, but modern antiviral treatments (such as GS-441524 and molnupiravir) have drastically changed the outlook, lowering mortality rates significantly.
• Veterinary Care: Treatment involves targeted antiviral courses managed through a veterinarian or specialized compounding pharmacies like Stokes Pharmacy.
