Comorbidities in Feline Infectious Peritonitis: Implications for Diagnosis and Treatment

Presentation Description / Summary: While most cats with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) were euthanized in the past, more cats are now being treated with antiviral drugs. As a result of this, new disease processes that could be associated with FIP are being recognized. People with SARS-CoV-2 infections present with a spectrum of clinical presentations and complications such as myocarditis and associative is IMHA being increasingly recognized, either while infected or shortly after infection. Several studies now report cats with FIP developing myocarditis and associative IMHA. This session aims to update participants on these comorbidities in cats with FIP and explain the impact these diseases have on the treatment and prognosis of cats with FIP. Moreover, several cats with FIP may present with severe clinical signs and clinicopathological abnormalities compatible with sepsis/SIRS, and early recognition is crucial for treatment of these cases and this session will focus on recognition of critically ill cats with FIP. There is also emerging evidence that cats on various forms of antiviral therapy may also develop moderate to severe neutropenia, which is an important complication that can necessitate a change in antiviral therapy and/or management as a comorbid condition. Last but not least, gastrointestinal symptoms have been reported in humans that have recovered from SARS-CoV-2 and there are increases cases and studies showing that cats that have recovered from FIP may be at risk of developing gastrointestinal disease as well and this lecture will update participants on the latest scientific evidence available in this field.