Cats with FIP often lose weight due to poor appetite, but in "wet" FIP cases, they can show a deceptive weight gain from fluid buildup (swollen belly) that isn't actual body mass; once treatment works, they should gain healthy weight as they recover, and monitoring weight is crucial for adjusting dosages.
Early signs of FIP in cats can vary but often include a rising and falling fever, loss of appetite, and energy loss. As time goes by, infected cats may have more FIP symptoms that depend on the form of FIP. FIP has a "dry" and a "wet" form. Infected cats can have symptoms of only one form or a mix of both.
Cats with wet FIP have a pot-bellied appearance due to effusion, the build up of fluid in the abdomen. The effusion is straw colored and thick, and the abdomen feels like a water balloon (as opposed to a pot-bellied kitten who is bright and alert, but has intestinal parasites or is gassy or well-fed).
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus
Closely related to human immunodeficiency virus, FIV is a chronic, not necessarily terminal, condition where a cat's immune system doesn't work like it should and can result in not gaining weight, despite eating as per usual.
Cat with FIP, 1.5 Years Old: Loss of Appetite and Lethargy FIP cats often experience severe lethargy and progressive loss of appetite as the disease advances. Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) causes immune-mediated inflammation leading to symptoms like lethargy, anorexia, and dehydration.
Cats with wet FIP usually show the following signs: A swollen abdomen due to fluid buildup in the cat's body cavity. Breathing difficulty caused by fluid affecting lung and heart function. Weight gain, but ribs remain visible—this increase in weight is not due to fat or muscle but fluid accumulation.
Symptoms overlap with FeLV, FIV, IBS, and cancer. But knowing the subtle differences can save your cat's life.
Feeding your cat too much, giving too many treats, feeding a high-carb diet, or making rapid changes in their diet can lead to weight gain. It's important to feed your cat the right amount and type of food for their age and health needs.
If your cat is passing watery excrement, it could be suffering from the effects of FIV. The cat may also be drinking more water than usual; this is a sure sign of kidney problems and should be assessed by a vet.
While FIV is related to HIV in humans, there's no way that the cat virus can cross between species and infect people. FIV only affects cats, cannot be transmitted to non-felines.
What are the symptoms of FIP? Cats that have been initially exposed to FeCV usually show no obvious symptoms. Some cats may show mild upper respiratory symptoms such as sneezing, watery eyes, and nasal discharge, while others may experience mild gastrointestinal signs such as diarrhea.
Veterinarians often diagnose FIP based on symptoms like fever, weight loss, and abdominal fluid—yet these signs overlap with numerous other feline diseases. Some cats with lymphoma, FeLV, or bacterial peritonitis may initially be diagnosed with FIP, and vice versa.
The top "silent killers" in cats are Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), often progressing until 75% kidney failure, and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), a heart muscle disease, both often showing few symptoms until advanced stages, along with Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) and Hepatic Lipidosis (Fatty Liver), leading to sudden illness or organ failure if undetected. Early detection through regular vet check-ups, blood tests, and monitoring for subtle changes like increased thirst/urination, weight loss, or hiding is crucial for managing these common, often hidden, feline diseases, says this article.
Recovery and Management of Feline Infectious Peritonitis
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.
Yes, cats with FIV can live successfully with other cats! FIV does not spread between casual contact between an FIV+ cat and a non-infected cat, so they can be housed together as long as they are coexisting peacefully (and not fighting).
If the eyes are affected (ocular FIP) they may look cloudy, bloody or with different pupil sizes, and the cat may show signs of pain such as holding the eye or eyes closed.
What are the signs of FIV? Third-stage cats experience changes in appetite, toileting changes, weight loss, smelly, sore mouths, drooling, poor coat through lack of grooming and secondary infections, which become more frequent and resistant to treatment.
Look for these signs:
FIV is not contagious to humans or other animals.
Sharing food or water bowls, litter boxes, or grooming one another does not spread FIV. It's mainly transmitted through deep bite wounds during serious fights—often among unneutered male cats.
Fluid buildup, or ascites, in a cat's abdomen can cause their belly to look significantly larger. This is often a sign of a more serious underlying condition, such as heart disease, liver problems, or cancer.
Overeating or Dietary Changes
Cats that overeat or suddenly change diets might develop a distended abdomen. If you recently switched your cat's food or they've been sneaking extra meals, this could explain their bloated look.
Regardless of the type, the clinical signs of Cushing's disease are essentially the same. In the early stages, cats may develop weight gain, a bloated-looking or pendulous abdomen, muscle loss over the spine, and an enlarged liver. A few cats will lose weight.
Wet FIP progresses more rapidly and is often diagnosed more easily due to noticeable symptoms such as: Swelling: Your cat might have a puffy belly or chest because of extra fluids building up. Weight Loss: Keep an eye out if your cat is losing weight, especially if it happens quite quickly.
Feline Leukemia (FeLV) is much more devastating than FIV. This is because FeLV typically results in cancer, leukemia, and severe bone marrow suppression in young cats. The one commonality between FELV & FIV is that there is no cure for either.
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.