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Understanding FIP Symptoms in Cats: Wet, Dry, Ocular & Neuro
- CureFIP GCC
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis) is a deadly disease that can take the life of your beloved cat. This illness is caused by a mutation of the Feline Coronavirus (FCoV) and the cat’s inability to fight off the virus with its antibodies.
In general, there are several types of FIP that can affect your cat. These include wet FIP, dry FIP, ocular FIP, and neurological FIP. Each type has its own symptoms, diagnosis method, and treatment plan.
FIP is not only dangerous and aggressive—it also spreads at lightning speed. That’s why, once your cat begins to show symptoms, you must act quickly and seek veterinary care as soon as possible.
So, what symptoms should cat owners look out for? Let’s find out the full explanation prepared by the Cure FIP GCC team!
Common Symptoms of FIP in Cats
Although FIP is categorized into four types with distinct characteristics, there are several general symptoms of FIP you should watch for:
High fever reaching up to 40°C
Persistent fever that comes and goes despite fever-reducing medication
Decreased appetite
Gradual but consistent weight loss
Anemia or lack of red blood cells, causing weakness and fatigue
Swollen gums
Clinical Symptoms of FIP in Cats
As mentioned earlier, FIP comes in four types: wet FIP, dry FIP, ocular FIP, and neurological FIP. Below are the clinical signs of each FIP type that every cat owner should be familiar with.
Wet FIP
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.
Other organs such as the heart, liver, and kidneys may become infected.
In some cases, the cat also develops anorexia.
Dry FIP
Cats with dry FIP usually display the following signs:
Persistent vomiting even after receiving medication.
Inflammation in various parts of the body.
Eating well but not gaining weight—or even losing it.
Significant weight loss, sometimes leading to anorexia.
General weakness and lethargy.
Swollen lymph nodes.
Infection may also spread to the heart, liver, and kidneys.
Ocular FIP
Ocular FIP specifically affects the cat’s eyes. Cats with this type of FIP often exhibit these signs:
Uveitis, or inflammation in the middle layer of the eye, causing one or both eyes to appear red.
Cloudy or foggy iris color.
Anisocoria, where the left and right pupils are of different sizes.
Hyphema, a condition where blood pools between the cornea and iris, making the eyes look bloody.
Vision impairment, often seen when the cat walks with poor focus or coordination.
Neurological FIP
Neurological FIP targets the central nervous system of the cat. Symptoms include:
Seizures.
Head tilt.
Body tremors.
Bumping into objects while walking.
Wobbly or drunken walking.
Self-injury, such as slamming into furniture, due to lack of body control.
Ataxia, or the inability to control body movements.
Nystagmus, which causes repetitive, uncontrolled eye movements.
Symptoms Based on Age and Risk Group
In terms of age, kittens under two years old and senior cats are the most vulnerable groups. These age ranges tend to have weaker immune systems, making them more susceptible to infection.
However, kittens typically show symptoms more quickly, which allows for faster intervention. What’s more concerning are senior cats, as their symptoms tend to develop slowly and are harder to detect.
In addition to kittens and elderly cats, cats living in shelters or densely populated areas are also at higher risk of contracting FIP.
This is because FIP can be transmitted from cat to cat—and the spread can happen extremely fast.
When Should You Take Your Cat to the Vet?
If your cat shows at least two of the symptoms mentioned, don’t delay—take your pet to the veterinarian immediately!
Persistent high fever, even after antibiotics.
Sharp decrease in appetite.
Swollen belly or breathing difficulty.
Weakness and low activity levels.
Seizures or loss of balance.
Discoloration or cloudiness in the eyes.
Unexplained weight loss.
Your vet will perform an in-depth examination using blood tests, the Rivalta Test, ultrasound, or any other required diagnostic methods.
If your cat is diagnosed with FIP, you can treat it with GS-441524—a treatment proven to save the lives of thousands of cats around the world.
To ensure the most effective treatment, it’s important to get the right dosage and best medication option. That’s why we recommend you consult first with the Cure FIP GCC team on WhatsApp before placing your order.
Conclusion
FIP is undoubtedly a serious illness. But if cat owners recognize the general and clinical signs early, treatment can begin quickly—and your beloved cat has a chance to fully recover.
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