Coronavirus in Cats

Written By Darlene Stott
Published: 08/22/2016Updated: 08/02/2021
Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS
Coronavirus in Cats - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost

What are Coronavirus?

Coronavirus is most often found in young cats or multi-cat households where it is spread through feces and airborne contaminants. Fatalities most often occur in cats who are young or have a weakened immune system.

Coronavirus in cats, or feline infectious peritonitis, is a viral disease caused by certain strains of feline coronavirus. Though most strains of feline coronavirus do not cause the disease to occur, some strains can cause symptoms that range from mild to severe. These strains may also mutate in the cat's body, becoming feline infectious peritonitis virus. This virus attacks the immune system and vital organs, resulting in the death of the cat.

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Symptoms of Coronavirus in Cats

Symptoms of feline infectious peritonitis depend on the type of strain of coronavirus that the cat has contracted, the age of the cat, the cat's immune system and what specific organs are attacked by the virus. The virus can be one of two types, wet or dry, with symptoms depending on the type of feline infectious peritonitis the cat has contracted.

Wet/Effusive

  • Fever that doesn't respond to pain relief or antibiotics
  • Weight loss
  • Anorexia (lack of appetite)
  • Lethargy
  • Sneezing
  • Watery eyes
  • Nasal discharge
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal distension (nonpainful abdominal swelling)
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Fluid in chest or abdominal cavity
  • Granulomas that form on different organs of the body

Dry/Non-Effusive

  • Fever that doesn't respond to pain relief or antibiotics
  • Poor growth (in young kittens)
  • Eye inflammation
  • Jaundice
  • Depression
  • Anemia
  • Diarrhea
  • Depression
  • Neurological symptoms, which include loss of sight, loss of balance or inability to properly run/walk due to loss of coordination

Causes of Coronavirus in Cats

Feline coronavirus is fairly common among cats and is transmitted through the feces of other infected cats or from breathing in contaminants. Feline infectious peritonitis is caused by the feces or airborne contaminants of certain strains of the coronavirus. Some types of feline coronaviruses can mutate and attack the white blood cells, which then carry the disease throughout the body. When this mutation occurs, it causes feline infectious peritonitis.

Diagnosis of Coronavirus in Cats

Feline infectious peritonitis is difficult to diagnose as there is no definitive test that can determine if a cat has a mild form of coronavirus or feline infectious peritonitis. The symptoms can also mimic other diseases or viruses, making it more difficult for veterinarians to diagnose properly.

The veterinarian will ask for the cat's health history, which includes the cat's symptoms, when symptoms first began, and if the cat lives with other cats at home or was frequently placed in a kennel. The veterinarian will examine the cat, listening to the cat's breathing and looking for a distended abdomen. 

Labs, which include a complete blood count and an ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) test, will need to be done. The complete blood count will look for white blood cells that are indicative of an infection while an ELISA test will show the presence of any coronavirus antibodies. A sample of fluid may be taken from the thorax or abdomen for further testing. Additionally, a fecal test using a stool sample may also be performed to detect the virus. Because these tests only show if the coronavirus is present and not if it's mutated, however, the veterinarian will diagnose the cat with feline infectious peritonitis if it doesn't have the symptoms of other viruses or diseases.

Treatment of Coronavirus in Cats

Most strains of coronavirus don't require treatment as the cat's immune system will produce antibodies against the virus. Unfortunately, there is no cure if the cat has developed feline infectious peritonitis. Care is centered on keeping the cat comfortable and prolonging its life for a few months. 

If the cat is diagnosed with the non-effusive type of feline infectious peritonitis, medications will be prescribed. Antibiotics will help kill bacteria, immunosuppressants will prevent the virus from mutating, and anti-inflammatory medications will reduce the pain the cat is experiencing and reduce inflammation throughout the body.

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Recovery of Coronavirus in Cats

Feline infectious peritonitis is fatal in approximately 95 percent of cases. In some cases, the prescribed medications can keep the infection dormant, or in remission, for several months. It's important to follow up with the veterinarian so medications can be evaluated for effectiveness and changed, if needed, in order to allow the cat to be comfortable.

Though there is a vaccine available to prevent feline infectious peritonitis, its use is not recommended by the American Association of Feline Practitioners as it hasn't proven effective in preventing the virus in all cases. 

The best way to keep coronavirus from spreading to other cats is to vigilantly clean the cat's food and water dishes, regularly disinfect the cat's living space and keep sick cats away from other cats in multi-cat households. Kittens should be kept away from other cats, other than the mother, to prevent them from contracting the virus. If a cat passed away from FIP, it is sensible to wait awhile before rehoming a new cat and to thoroughly clean the home.

Coronavirus Average Cost

From 359 quotes ranging from $200 - $3,000

Average Cost

$800

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Coronavirus Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals

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domestic short hair

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Moki

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6 Months

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2 found this helpful

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2 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea
Sneezing
Lack Of Appetite
My new rescue cat has been diagnosed with Coronavirus and now I'm seriously paranoid about that mutating. How might I know if the virus mutates? What can I do that I have not already done- took him to the vet, had him tested (currently FIP negative), and put him on a perscription cat food for digestion.

Sept. 16, 2018

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Savannah

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Molly

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2 Years

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1 found this helpful

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1 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Tired
Hi, a friend of mine has two cats who are carriers of the corona virus. They caught this from two cats in their household who both died if FIPs having contracted this from the breeder. The titles of the two cats were 1000. 18 months later the two carrier cats have titre readings of 330 and 160 respectively. Is there a possibility they will rid themselves of being a carrier or will they always be one and if this is the case does this mean a kitten can never be introduced to the household who has come from a FIP background.

Sept. 2, 2018


Sorry meant to say can a kitten ever be introduced to the household if he come from a FIP free household

Sept. 2, 2018

Molly's Owner

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Coronavirus Average Cost

From 359 quotes ranging from $200 - $3,000

Average Cost

$800

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