Infectious, or viral peritonitis in cats: symptoms and treatment

This disease has become world-wide in just the last few decades. To date, the diagnosis of "infectious peritonitis cats" is increasingly heard in domestic veterinary clinics. This disease is the least studied in comparison with other viral, so not only the owners, but also the doctors know about it is not all.

What is PKI?

Peritonitis in cats is an infection. Her pathogen is the coronavirus. The uniqueness of this virus is that it affects only the immune system of cats. This infection develops very slowly, so the disease can take several years, without giving out external signs. To date, infectious peritonitis in cats is incurable, almost all diseased animals die. Specialists know only a few cases when cats are cured of this infection. Most likely, this increased sensitivity to the disease is genetic. In this case, we can conclude that this is a fairly new disease, to which the species did not have time to adapt.

What is different from enteritis?

Previously, it was believed that coronavirus causes two similar diseases: viral peritonitis in cats and coronavirus enteritis. Despite the fact that genetically these infections are incredibly similar, their biological characteristics are different. Enteritis affects the cells of the epithelium of the small intestine, so one of the main symptoms is a violation of the digestive tract. While the PKI acts on the cells of the immune system, spreading across all organs and affecting the entire body, which leads to almost 100% of death. Specialists are inclined to believe that this virus is a natural mutation of the enteritis virus. Studies conducted in various countries have shown that not only sick, but also cured animals are carriers of infection.

AIDS?

Cats have several diseases that specialists call AIDS-like. This group includes viral leukemia, viral immunodeficiency and infectious peritonitis. In cats, these diseases are caused by different viruses, whose similarities are the same: they all affect the immune system. This is what makes this infection incurable. In addition, this also affects the complexity of creating a vaccine. Do not forget that this type of infection refers to the "slow" - this means that from the time the virus enters before the onset of symptoms, it may take several years.

The disease is not dangerous to humans.

Who is more exposed?

Studies show that peritonitis occurs in cats with the same frequency as cats. He can overtake an animal of any age. It was noted that in purebred animals, the disease is most often found at the age of up to one year, while in mongrel animals it is found at the age of more than 7 years.

Earlier it was believed that pedigree animals are much more likely to develop PKI, but recent observations show that "blood purity" is not related to the probability of infection. However, in this case, the British and Russian blue more often found infectious peritonitis. Cats have the same symptoms, but it has been observed that individuals with natural color are more resistant to disease than blue or gray animals.

Symptoms

Peritonitis in cats, the symptoms of which are very diverse, is named so precisely because the most frequent manifestation of the disease is inflammation of the abdominal cavity.

There are two forms of this disease - wet and dry. In the first case, fluid effusion occurs in the thoracic or abdominal cavity. When dry form, the liquid does not accumulate, but internal organs are affected: kidneys, liver, spleen, intestinal lymph nodes. In addition, inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, iris of the eye are not uncommon. At the very beginning of the disease, symptoms can easily be missed even by the most experienced physician, since they are not specific for both forms of the disease.

Studies show that wet peritonitis in cats, the symptoms of which were observed in 60%, occurs somewhat more often. It is necessary to know that this option may not cause oppression of the animal or its refusal to eat. However, for the most part this occurs throughout the illness, sometimes being its only external manifestations. Sometimes this infection is indicated by diarrhea and vomiting, jaundice may appear. Probably a temporary increase in temperature. Most often the disease is accompanied by an increase in the spleen, but this is almost invisible when viewed. Symptoms can manifest not only all together, but also individually, which complicates the diagnosis. With a moist form characterized by coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, X-ray examination shows a clear picture of pneumonia. In this case, the lesion of the thoracic region is quite rare.

If affected by the central nervous system, there may be seizures, paralysis, significant changes in the behavior of the animal.

A large percentage of diseased animals does not show any symptoms at all. They have an excellent appetite, usually active. For the examination they fell due to contact with sick individuals. Most of these animals, quite healthy in appearance, turned out to be ill, which indicates the existence of a latent form of the disease.

Sometimes the symptom of PKI is a stillbirth or the death of litter in the first few days after birth.

Transmission paths

To date, it is not known exactly how to transmit this infection. It is believed that this can happen in two ways: in utero orally. This means that kittens can get sick in the womb of a sick mother or after their birth, through milk. Asymptomatic carriers infect most of the kittens, which either die in infancy or become healthy vectors of the virus. Often sick cats bring dead litter. Carriers are more often domestic animals or cats from the nursery than homeless individuals.

It has been experimentally proved that the virus is in faeces and urine of sick animals. This gives grounds to assume that infection can occur through common utensils, toilet, bed. The possibility of transmission of the virus by airborne droplets has not yet been confirmed.

The virus is unstable, it does not survive when treated with conventional disinfectants, but in a dry environment it can remain dangerous for up to three days.

Diagnostics

In the presence of similar symptoms, a specialist may call into question the diagnosis of "viral peritonitis in cats". Symptoms and treatment in this case will be individual. Most of all, the doctor is alerted when examining fluid in the peritoneum, an enlarged abdomen, a spleen. To confirm the diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct laboratory tests. In our country, the polymerase chain reaction method is used. Some types of diagnosis are only posthumous.

Vaccination

The vaccine, which would prevent the development of infection, is currently not available. In some countries, a remedy is used that can only be used for animals that have never had contact with coronavirus. This fact should be confirmed by laboratory tests before introducing the vaccine. If the contact was, the drug is only able to harm the animal, accelerating the development of infection.

In our country, this tool has not been investigated and is not being used.

Treatment

Peritonitis in cats, the symptoms and treatment of which has not been fully studied, is not amenable to treatment with the currently available drugs. In world practice, there is no effective treatment for this disease. However, there is some probability of self-healing of the animal. The reasons for this are not currently known. But even in cases of recovery there is no guarantee that such animals do not remain carriers. There is no certainty that in the future the disease can not resume.

What to do?

First of all, with the slightest suspicion of PKI, the animal must be isolated from other cats. If the expert has put this diagnosis, you need to understand that the forecast is extremely unfavorable. However, if the condition of the animal is satisfactory, if it does not contact the relatives, it is important to know that the disease does not bring pain and pain. And euthanasia is not an indication for this infection. Good care and care can stretch the course of the illness and delay the outcome.

If a sick cat brings a live litter, it is taken as soon as possible. However, it should be borne in mind that kittens are almost certainly infected. All animals that have come into contact with the patient are examined.

If a sick animal is found in the nursery, prudence must be exercised. You can not sell these animals, regardless of whether the disease has manifested itself or not. Any individual from such a nursery will be considered a source of infection for other cats.

It is difficult to predict the occurrence of PKI. To date, the prevention of infection is compliance with hygiene requirements, proper nutrition, reducing contact with relatives, lack of stress.