My healthy cat's littermate had FIP. Is my cat at risk for FIP?

Question

I adopted my kitten from a shelter. His medical history states that his littermate was euthanized due to FIP and that my cat most likely has it. My cat is two years old today and he is healthy as can be. My question is will my cat eventually pass away from FIP? Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Mediumhair | Male | neutered | 1 year and 3 months old

Maria DVM · Accepted Answer

FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis) comes from the virus Coronavirus. What happens is Coronavirus mutates into a fatal FIP. There are two different types: 1. The dry form which typically appears as a fever that resolves with fluids but comes back. Typically these cats can live for some time 2. Wet form where they develop fluid build-up in their abdomen and chest and they can quickly go into liver failure. Just because your cat has Coronavirus does not mean they will get FIP. There is a test for Coronavirus but I have had a negative test and a positive FIP on necropsy so the test isn't the best. Most cats have Coronavirus, will they ever get FIP? Maybe, maybe not. It is a disease that is extremely frustrating. We don't even know if FIP is definitely contagious. Coronavirus is contagious but that doesn't mean that every cat that is positive for Coronavirus will develop FIP. We also know that some households can have 1 cat get FIP and then all of the cats while another may have one cat get FIP and no one else affected. I am sorry I cannot fully answer your question as FIP is a sad disease that we still don't have all the answers too. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

My healthy cat's littermate had FIP. Is my cat at risk for FIP?

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