Feline Coronavirus (FCoV) itself usually isn't "cured" because most cases are mild and resolve on their own with supportive care, but the severe mutated form, Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), was once fatal but now has potential cures with newer antiviral treatments like GS-441524 and Paxlovid, transforming it from a death sentence to a treatable disease for many cats.
As yet poorly understood changes in the virus can give rise to mutants that lead to the development of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). Most cats infected with a FCoV eliminate virus following infection, but some cats may develop a persistent infection.
Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), which most commonly affects cats under 2 years old and has increased risk in purebreds and shelters, has long been feared as one of the most deadly and untreatable diseases in cats. Now, antiviral medications exist that cure FIP.
There is no specific treatment for feline coronavirus and, in most cases, your cat will recover without needing any treatment.
Most cases go undetected and the cat recovers completely without needing any treatment. If FIP develops (and there is no way to prevent this), treatment can be given to help symptoms.
If your pet tests positive for infection with the COVID-19 virus, follow the same plan you would if a family member became infected. Keep your pet at home. Also, follow these tips: Wear gloves when you touch your pet or its food, dishes, waste or bedding.
The top "silent killers" in cats are Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), often going undetected until 75% kidney failure, and Hypertension (High Blood Pressure), which damages organs without obvious signs until blindness or seizures occur, notes Muirfield Animal Hospital, Pet Health Network, www.springwoodvets.com.au, Close Veterinary Clinic, Killarney Animal Hospital, Physicians Mutual Insurance, Sykesville Veterinary Clinic, Mona Vale Veterinary Hospital, Nimbus Pet Hospital, Hill's Pet Nutrition, Covetrus North America, ASPCA Pet Insurance and PetCareRx. Other serious conditions include Hyperthyroidism, Heart Disease (like HCM), and Fatty Liver Disease (Hepatic Lipidosis).
Meet the cats who have overcome FIP, Feline Infectious Peritonitis. These cats and their caregivers have incredible stories of survival after facing a once-incurable disease. Over 15,000 cats have already been treated.
However, studies have shown the virus can last about two days on some fabrics. It's unlikely you'll get COVID from your bedding, though. Just be sure to wash your bedding if you or anyone in your household has COVID, and disinfect your home's surfaces.
An FIV positive cat may be more prone to chronic respiratory infections, skin problems, mouth inflammation and certain types of tumours, but there's no definitive rule.
Without treatment, if your cat has been diagnosed with wet FIP, they will sadly pass away often within 2 weeks of diagnosis. If your cat has been diagnosed with dry FIP, your cat may survive a few months.
Feline Infectious Peritonitis is a very special reaction to infection with the feline enteric coronavirus. Whether a cat gets this devastating reaction to a normally harmless virus is more a function of the individual cat than about the virus. The virus is contagious but a cat cannot transmit FIP to another cat.
Once diagnosed with FIP, many veterinarians will recommend euthanizing your cat to avoid unnecessary pain. However, if the disease is allowed to develop to its later stages the symptoms are quite extreme.
Cats who do not get treatment for FIP will die of the disease within 10 days or less in most cases. The survival time of cats with wet feline infectious peritonitis is generally days to weeks, while dry FIP has a longer survival time of weeks to months.
The number one killer of cats depends on age and lifestyle, but cancer is the leading cause of death in older cats, while Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), accidents/trauma (especially for younger cats), and diseases like kidney/heart issues are major factors, with FeLV often cited as the top infectious killer. Causes range from diseases like FeLV, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), and FIP, to organ system failures (kidney, heart), and external factors like poisons or trauma.
The final stage is characterized by symptoms such as: Worsening of mid-stage symptoms, Stopping eating, cloudy eyes, loss of coordination or paralysis. Can FIP Cats cure? Yes, there is an effective treatment for FIP in cats using the antiviral drug called GS-441524.
Use a portable air cleaner or air purifier if you have one
When used properly, air purifiers can help reduce airborne contaminants, including viruses, in a home or confined space.
Particles from an infected person can move throughout an entire room or indoor space. The particles can also linger in the air after a person has left the room – they can remain airborne for hours in some cases.
Wash your bedding and clothing.
Strip your rooms of any blankets, sheets, pillows, bedding and clothes worn while sick, and start tossing them into the washing machine. Take care to do so in a methodical way—most importantly, keeping the clean loads separate from the ones still waiting to be washed.
Until recently, the disease was fatal in almost every case. Most cats exposed to feline coronavirus, even to the potentially FIP-inducing strains, can develop an immune response that protects them, so only a small proportion of infected cats develop clinical disease.
Sick cats usually become withdrawn and may hide, although this depends on the personality of the individual cat. Some cats become clingier or demand more attention, while others just become cranky.
Cats with FIP can show in a variety of ways as the disease can affect any organ in the body. The most common signs are lethargy/tiredness, eating less and losing weight, and a high temperature.
The 3:3:3 Rule: Help Your New Cat Adjust to Their Home The 3:3:3 rule explains some general expectations for the transition process and some tips on how to support your cat through each stage: 3 days for initial acclimatization, 3 weeks for settling in, and by 3 months, they should be comfortable and at ease in their ...
Cats hate strong, pungent, or bitter smells, with citrus (lemon, orange), vinegar, and harsh cleaning chemicals (ammonia, bleach) topping the list, along with certain herbs (lavender, eucalyptus, rosemary) and spices (cinnamon, pepper) that can irritate their sensitive noses, with some being toxic if ingested. Strong odors like spoiled food, other animals' scents, or menthol are also highly disliked.
Cats do remember negative experiences, but they don't dwell on resentment the way people do. Instead, they react based on learned associations and their need for safety. With patience, consistency, and care, most cats return to positive behaviors quickly.