Page 1152 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

1144 PART 14 QUEEN AND KITTEN WITH PROBLEMS

Diagnosis Differential diagnosis

Biopsy and necropsy tissues contain pyogranuloma-
FIP can be difficult to differentiate from other causes of
tous inflammation and vasculitis.
fading kitten syndrome. Cyclic fevers and modified
Serum coronavirus antibody titers are unreliable transudates are strong evidence for FIP.
for diagnosis of FIP, but very high titers tend to corre-
late with clinical FIP. Treatment
● Although a high percentage of kittens within the
household are likely to have positive coronavirus
Medical treatment is usually ineffective for FIP,
titers, only a few are expected to develop the disease.
especially for fading kittens. Transient palliation of
Coronavirus PCR is unreliable for confirmation of FIP. clinical signs may sometimes be possible with corti-
costeroid treatment.
Hyperproteinemia (polyclonal gammopathy), often
accompanied by non-regenerative anemia and lym-
phopenia, is consistent with FIP.

High-protein, pyogranulomatous effusion in the
peritoneal, thoracic or pericardial cavity is highly sug-
gestive of FIP.
The Rivalta test on serum or effusions may be the most
reliable diagnostic test for FIP.

RECOMMENDED READING
Hoskins JD (ed). Veterinary Pediatrics: Dogs and Cats from Birth to Six Months, 2nd edn. WB Saunders Co.,
Philadelphia, 1995.
Lawler DF. Causes and management of wasting syndromes in kittens. In: August JR (ed) Consultations in Feline
Medicine 2. WB Saunders Co., Philadelphia, 1994, pp. 645–652.
Murtaugh RJ. Pediatrics: the kitten from birth to eight weeks. In: Scherding RG (ed) The Cat: Diseases and Clinical
Management, 2nd edn. Churchill Livingstone, New York, 1994, pp. 1877–1891.