Is cat coronavirus dangerous for people? Coronavirus in cats: routes of infection, symptoms and possible treatment. Symptoms and treatment

Coronavirus in cats– why it’s dangerous, how to treat it and other answers later in the article. Viruses are the most dangerous creatures of nature. Humanity has not invented weapons to fight them. A characteristic feature of these organisms is mutations. For example, the influenza virus. Every year new strains of this disease are discovered. Scientists do not have time to come up with a cure for one species when the next unknown strain appears. Vaccinations also do not protect against the disease. They only alleviate the course of the disease.

Animals also suffer from many viral infections. There are quite a lot of them and there is not always a way to cure the disease. One of the common diseases is coronavirus. This pathogen is common in cats. Veterinarians around the world are unanimous in their opinion that this is the most common infection in these animals. Some countries are leaders in outbreaks of this disease. Animals become infected in more than 50% of cases.

Characteristic features of the disease

This virus is from the Coronaviriadea family. All cat breeds are susceptible and susceptible. Vaccination can prevent symptoms of infection. This will be the best option if the animal walks on the street and communicates with street cats. Coronavirus in cats affects the abdominal organs. The disease is characterized by the appearance of complications. Not excluded cases of death. The virus has a peculiar shape, which is why it got its name. It can be detected by microscopy. Its shell has projections similar to a halo or crown. This virus is dangerous because it causes two types of disease. There are: feline infectious peritonitis and coronavirus enteritis. Moreover, the first one cannot be cured. These strains belong to the same family. They are not dangerous for humans. Children, elderly people, and family members with weakened immune systems will not become infected from a pet.

Getting into the cat's body the virus can mutate, turn into a virulent strain causing peritonitis. Dogs also suffer from this disease.. Science does not know what reasons prompt the pathogen to change. Its mutations occur spontaneously. Many scientists tend to assume that the main factor is genetic predisposition and stressful situations. The idea that enteritis progresses to fatal peritonitis has not been proven and is unlikely. Probable reasons for this transition:

Supporters of the classical theory believe that mutations can occur in some exceptional cases. They give a special role to age, the physiological state of the body, living conditions, and genetics. This theory has a right to exist, since there are occasional cases of degeneration of the virus.

Other researchers in the field believe that strains of the virus that are prone to mutation are present in the environment and circulating freely. This may be why uncontrolled outbreaks of the disease occur. Individuals living in nurseries and shelters are susceptible, where a significant proportion of animals become ill. A theory does not have facts to support the truth of the opinion. Scientists are working on this issue.

Clinic of the disease

The disease is especially severe in fragile kittens.. Their immune system is not fully developed and cannot cope with the virus. Cases of death in kittens are not uncommon.. The virus multiplies in the small intestine and has a pathogenic effect. The small animal begins to vomit. Then diarrhea. The body quickly becomes dehydrated. This happens in a few hours. Intestinal upset may occur over 2-4 days. The process ends either with the death of the animal or with recovery. After an illness, the virus does not disappear completely. The animal will be the carrier. This means that the cat will not get sick, but it may well infect its brothers who have not been ill.

Factors contributing to the development of the disease

All breeds without exception are at risk. This is not affected by age and gender. It is worth especially noting the fact that about 4% of the entire population of domestic cats do not get sick due to innate resistance to coronavirus. Scientists have found that this resistant feature is not inherited by offspring. For what reasons some individuals are not susceptible to the disease remains unknown.

We can only say with some certainty that certain categories of animals get sick more often:

1 Males up to two weeks old; 2 Adult cats over 10 years old; 3 Animals after illness, whose body is exhausted and weakened; 4 Worm infestations make the animal’s body even weaker and more vulnerable to infection.

Can coronavirus be transmitted from one cat to another?

Usually infection occurs through food and water. Unsanitary conditions, lack of proper care, dirt in the room contribute to the spread of viral infection. The virus feels comfortable in such conditions. Eat cases of infection by airborne droplets, but this is how dogs get infected. After a week after the virus has been introduced into the animal’s body, the first signs of the disease appear. If these are small kittens, old cats or weakened for some reason, then the disease can manifest itself in the first days.

It has been noticed that a tray with cat litter is a convenient place for the development of the virus. There it can maintain its viability for quite a long time. To avoid mass infection and the spread of viral infection, it is better to burn the litter with animal excrement. You can pack it in a plastic bag, tie it tightly and throw it away. This infection becomes focal in shelters and large gatherings of animals.. They are kept in cramped, uncomfortable conditions. The cages are rarely cleaned. Animals are in close contact. The presence of feces promotes rapid infection and spread of the disease. Many animals are potentially dangerous to other individuals. The infection can go beyond the nursery, quickly spread, and cover large areas.

Symptoms and treatment

The virus is localized in the gastrointestinal tract and causes harm in the process of its life activity. When it enters the body, it begins to move through the digestive organs and, upon reaching the small intestine, begins its activity. The glandular epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract is especially affected. Viruses undergo the process of replication, that is, doubling DNA. Thus, he creates many similar copies of himself. As a result of the virus multiplying, the host cells die. In the case of the enteritis virus, no special symptoms of the disease are observed. The cat shows no signs of illness. This is due to the fact that the replication of the virus is not so intense that cellular decay is obvious. A different picture is observed when the causative agent of viral peritonitis enters.

1 Minor diarrhea appears. A runny nose may appear, the cat becomes lethargic, there is a decrease in appetite, it drinks water in the usual amount. 2 Rare cases of vomiting have been recorded. Vomiting and diarrhea are short-lived. They disappear on their own. 3 Lacrimation occurs. The gag reflex and diarrhea become frequent and occur constantly. 4 The animal practically does not eat. Starts to drink more fluids. Fatigue sets in quickly. 5 You may notice a change in the color of the stool. They become greenish-brown, watery with an unpleasant odor. Initially, there is no blood in the stool, but as the disease progresses and develops, the presence of blood is noticeable. 6 The body quickly loses water, dehydration occurs. This is evidenced by the appearance of additional symptoms: dry skin, loss of elasticity, the coat becomes dry and brittle. 7 If death does not occur, changes in the central nervous system appear. This is expressed in neurological seizures. 8 The peak of the disease is approaching. The intestinal microflora extends beyond its boundaries and spreads into internal tissues. This is confirmed by the formation of erosions and ulcerations. If left untreated, perforation (a hole to the intestine) appears. Often, therapeutic measures remain futile.

Any type of virus is difficult to detect. Difficult to diagnose. There is no method for identifying and making an accurate diagnosis. An accurate diagnosis is made based on the results of a histological examination of the animal’s tissues in the event of its death. Clinical sign characteristic of coronavirus disease in cats - profuse diarrhea. But this is not enough information. Serological methods for examining feces also do not provide reliable results. The PCR reaction can be false positive or false negative. This may be due to the presence of coronavirus in the cat's body. However, an animal may not get sick, but be a carrier of it. What symptoms should you pay attention to and consult a veterinarian? The animal's body temperature rises sharply. Infectious peritonitis manifests itself as effusion in the chest and abdominal cavities. Characterized by the development of uveitis. These symptoms are not the main ones, and it is not possible to make a definitive diagnosis.

If your pet has any abnormalities, you should immediately contact a veterinary center. In the laboratory, after taking blood from a vein, a study will be carried out: general analysis and biochemical analysis. A very important indicator will be protein fractions, that is, the percentage of albumin and globulin. These indicators decrease sharply during coronavirus infection.

Can coronavirus in cats be cured in adult animals?

Plays an important role timely contact the veterinary center. In the early stages it is prescribed immunomodulators, Interferon, Ribaverin, antibiotics. These drugs relieve symptoms and slow the virus from multiplying. Allows the body to fight infection. Unfortunately, they do not cure the disease. If vomiting and diarrhea appear, then replace fluid loss systems with saline solution. Temperature and pressure are measured.

Initial changes in the cat’s well-being should alert you. You need to call a veterinarian “YA-VET” to your home to “catch” the disease and begin treatment and monitoring of the animal. It is better to prevent a disease than to treat it, so you need to vaccinate your cat in advance. If the animal is sick, then symptomatic treatment and care can prolong the pet's life.

What is coronavirus? What diseases does coronavirus cause in cats? Is it dangerous for humans? How to protect your cat from getting an infection?

Coronavirus infections are quite widespread among wild and domestic cat populations. These diseases cause a lot of trouble to the owners of catteries, where, due to the large number of cats being kept together, it is difficult to ensure the cleanliness of the livestock from infectious agents and there is a high risk of animals becoming infected from each other.

Coronaviruses are a type of RNA virus. A huge variety of similar infectious agents circulate in nature, some of them are causative agents of severe infectious diseases of cultivated plants and domestic animals.

For the cat family, two types of diseases caused by coronaviruses pose a danger:

Feline infectious peritonitis or FIP– The causative agent of this disease is a highly pathogenic strain of coronavirus. The disease is almost 100% fatal.
Infectious coronavirus enteritis and gastroenteritis– are caused by low pathogenic feline intestinal coronaviruses (LPEC), are mild and do not pose a threat to life.

The IPC virus is difficult to distinguish from the CCPV virus; these two viruses are very similar in structure and judging by the latest research, there is a high probability that the highly pathogenic infectious peritonitis virus is a mutation of one of the strains of low-pathogenic intestinal coronaviruses.

In Russia, there is an annual increase in the incidence of coronavirus peritonitis in cats, which may be due to the emergence of an increasing number of cat nurseries, which, without proper anti-epizootic measures and in conditions of difficult diagnosis, unwittingly become reservoirs of pathogenic strains of the virus.

Routes of infection

According to research, the main route of infection in natural conditions is oral, that is, through the mouth. The virus enters the body through food and water or by licking while washing.

In addition to oral infection, there is information about the possibility of transplacental, that is, intrauterine infection of kittens from a cat.

Infected animals spread the virus by excreting it into the external environment in feces, saliva and urine.

The virus can only exist inside the body; if it enters the external environment, it dies within a couple of days. The virus is detrimental to high temperatures and conventional disinfectants, including laundry soap.

It is noted that after penetration into the body of a healthy animal, the IPC virus initially attacks the epithelial cells of the tonsils and intestines, where it can remain for a long time.

After infection with the infectious peritonitis virus, a cat can be a virus carrier for a long time without showing any visible signs of illness, but can infect the environment and infect kittens, which quickly die in the first week after birth or in utero.

Coronavirus enteritis in cats

After penetration into the body, CCTV viruses penetrate the surface layer of the intestinal epithelium, where their pathogenic effect manifests itself in the form of infectious enteritis of coronavirus origin.

In cats, infectious enteritis, in addition to coronaviruses, can be caused by parvoviruses (panleukopenia) and rotoviruses (rotoviral enteritis).

The symptoms of all viral enteritis are similar to each other, but compared to parvovirus and rotavirus enteritis, coronavirus is much easier.

Kittens most often get sick during the weaning period. The disease begins with rapid vomiting, which is followed by diarrhea. There may be no temperature or it may be low. There is lethargy and lack of appetite.

In mild cases, the disease lasts several days, then all symptoms disappear and the animal recovers. This course is typical for animals with not weakened immune systems and if the coronavirus infection is not superimposed on other viral or bacterial infections.

Coronavirus enteritis of moderate severity, with proper care and the use of necessary medications, can be easily cured. After recovery, the cat remains a virus carrier for another 1-9 months; it excretes the virus in its feces, which poses a threat of infection to nearby cats.

Infectious coronavirus peritonitis of cats

Coronavirus peritonitis is a fairly young disease and therefore it has not been sufficiently studied and raises many questions, not only among cat owners, but also among practicing veterinarians.

The first mention of this disease appeared in the USA in the 60s. Then, in 1977, the coronavirus peritonitis virus was isolated in the laboratory and described, and officially registered only in 1981.

The causative agent of IPC, unlike CCTV, is capable of infecting macrophages - cells of the immune system, therefore IPC is classified as an AIDS-like virus.

The virus is highly pathogenic, with IPC mortality reaching 100%. The fact that this disease affects the body's immune cells makes this disease, at this point in time, incurable, like human immunodeficiency, as well as FIV and feline leukemia.

Coronavirus infectious peritonitis is slowly ongoing disease – from the moment the pathogen enters the body until the appearance of clinical signs, several years may pass.

According to the observations of specialists, susceptibility to the disease is higher in kittens, from 1 month to a year, in adult animals after 7 years of age.

It has been noted that breeds with blue coat color are more prone to the disease IPC - cats of the British breed and the Russian Blue breed.

Symptoms of FIP in cats

The virus that causes IPC is referred to in the international classification as FIPV and is capable of causing various manifestations of damage to many organs and systems in the body of cats.

The name of the disease is due to the fact that often one of the main clinical signs is peritonitis.

It is accepted to divide the course of IPC into three main forms:

Wet IPC. In this form of peritonitis, due to damage to the blood vessels of the peritoneum or pulmonary pleura, exudate effusion occurs into the abdominal or thoracic cavity.
The development of wet peritonitis is provoked by a weak immune reaction of the body; this form of the disease occurs mainly in kittens. The disease is accompanied by fever up to 40 C, weakness, lack of appetite, peritonitis, with accumulation of effusion in the abdominal cavity, and gradual exhaustion.

When effusion forms in the chest cavity, the disease is accompanied by breathing problems and wheezing.

If the animal does not die in the first weeks, then signs of peritonitis or breathing problems are accompanied by symptoms of renal and liver failure, manifestations of pancreatic dysfunction.

The duration of the wet form of infectious peritonitis is about 6 months. The outcome is fatal, or the disease develops into the form of dry IPC.

Dry form peritonitis is characterized by the absence of effusion fluid. This form of peritonitis affects older cats. The disease occurs without pronounced symptoms. A decrease in appetite and physical activity may be noted. With this form, diagnosing the disease is very difficult, this is explained by the absence of pronounced clinical signs.
In a later period, multiple signs of damage to internal organs appear, most often the liver and kidneys, less often the nervous system (weakness of the hind limbs, paralysis, paresis, convulsions, behavioral disorders - aggression or apathy) and eyes (hyphema, retinitis, iridocyclitis).
Hidden form. It is characterized by a long course without the manifestation of any clinical signs. In the latent form, only blood macrophages are affected and the animal can be a virus carrier for a long time without showing signs of the disease.
Periodically releasing the virus into the environment, the cat, which is a virus carrier, infects healthy animals.

In the latent form, the animal’s body either gets rid of the virus over time, or, if the immune system is weakened, the disease progresses. Viruses from immune blood cells penetrate the internal organs, where characteristic granulomatous nodules and compactions develop.

The dry form of the disease can turn into a wet one, or they occur simultaneously.

Is FIP transmitted to humans?

Infectious peritonitis in cats cannot pose any danger to humans. The virus is specific and only affects the cat family.

Diagnostics

The method for diagnosing the disease is not sufficiently developed.
It is not possible to isolate the virus in a conventional laboratory. An accurate diagnosis can only be established based on the results of post-mortem histology of the affected organs.

When making a presumptive diagnosis, the doctor is guided by:

Anamnesis data (history of the disease);
Based on clinical signs - the formation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity or chest cavity, an enlarged spleen detected by palpation, depressed appetite, a persistent increase in temperature;
Test analysis data determining the presence of coronavirus in the animal’s body;
Reverse CPR (polymerase chain reaction) data. The reaction determines the presence of viral RNA in the test fluid.

When making a diagnosis, IPC should be distinguished from diseases with similar manifestations:

Liver diseases - cirrhosis, cholangohepatitis, lymphocytic cholangitis, tumors;
Cardiomyopathy;
Lymphosarcoma.

Treatment of coronavirus or treatment of IPC

The prognosis for coronavirus peritonitis is not favorable. The disease is fatal. Information about rare cases of recovery has not been confirmed by research.

With the wet form of peritonitis, the interval from the appearance of the first signs of the disease to the death of the animal does not exceed several weeks.

With early diagnosis and treatment, wet peritonitis can be converted into dry peritonitis.

Dry peritonitis, if treatment is used, can last up to a year. To treat dry peritonitis, use medications according to the symptoms and provide the cat with good nutrition and care.

Prevention

The only reliable way to protect an animal from an infectious disease is vaccination.

In Russia, an effective vaccine to combat IPC has not yet been developed. In exceptional cases, the Primucell FIP vaccine produced in the United States is used. It is administered nasally, that is, through the nose, in the form of drops. For the first time, the animal is vaccinated twice with a short interval, then once a year.

Other methods of prevention:

Only 10% of virus carriers develop a clinical infection. Many cats, in the absence of further contact with the source of infection for several months, are completely free of the virus.

If there is a suspicion that a cat has IPC, the first thing to do is to isolate the animal from other cats, if any, in the house, then contact a specialist for a symptomatic and laboratory examination.

When testing for the presence of the virus in large groups of cats, up to 80% of virus carriers can be detected, although clinical signs may be absent.

If the presence of a virus is detected in a cattery, the owner should take the following measures to improve the health of the livestock:

Regular tests, once every 3 or 6 months, of all animals for virus carriers.
Keep positively and negatively reacting cats separately, placing them in small groups of 3-4 heads, regularly examining and moving cats with a negative reaction to a group of animals free from the virus.
Mate only animals that react in the same way – seropositive with seropositive, and negative with negative.
Practice early weaning of kittens from their mother, at 5 weeks of age.
Before introducing new animals into the nursery, they must first be vaccinated.

In order to reduce the risk of developing infectious peritonitis for clinically healthy animals that are virus carriers, you need to:

Avoid stressful situations for the cat during the period of the virus carrier;
Avoid the use of immunosuppressive drugs (corticosteroids, progestogens);
Avoid mating animals that react positively and obtaining offspring from infected cats.

Interesting video:

Definition of disease

Feline viral peritonitis (FIP) is a subacute or chronic viral disease of wild and domestic cats caused by one of the feline RNA coronaviruses.

Occurrence

Found everywhere on the planet. All types of wild and domestic cats are affected. More common in catteries and other crowded environments. Among domestic cats, purebred cats get sick more often than outbred ones. The disease does not choose gender and age.

Epizootology

There are many types of coronaviruses, but some cause disease and some do not. Most coronaviruses cause only short-term diarrhea in kittens. Other coronaviruses cause dangerous and often fatal diseases. Unfortunately, it is currently impossible to determine which type of coronavirus a cat is infected with - whether it is practically harmless or deadly, causing FIP.

Feline coronaviruses are usually divided into two groups according to the degree of pathogenicity of the strains.

Highly pathogenic strains are feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV).
Strains that cause mild enteritis or are generally safe for health are feline intestinal coronaviruses (FEC).

Both groups of strains are considered a single population of viruses, but with varying degrees of pathogenicity. However, it has been established that VIPK is a mutation of KKVK that occurs spontaneously in cats during the course of the disease (Pedersen, 1981). Under natural conditions, the main route of transmission of the virus is oral. There is also evidence of the possibility of transplacental infection (Pederson, 1987). During oral infection, virus replication occurs primarily in the tonsils and small intestine. The causative agent of coronavirus enteritis directly affects the intestines, which can manifest itself as mild diarrhea, but more often it is asymptomatic. Undoubtedly, all strains of feline corona virus are very closely related and they are, but with the help of monoclonal antibodies, it is possible to differentiate between FPV and CCPV (Fiscu & Teramoto 1987).

Cats become infected through the nose and mouth, i.e. feces of sick animals, through saliva, through household items, infection of kittens through the mother during passage through the birth canal has been proven. The introduction of the virus into the cat’s body occurs in the nasopharynx and at the tips of the epithelial villi. This is how coronavirus infection occurs. For unknown reasons, a simple coronavirus begins to mutate into a dangerous one, causing viral peritonitis in the cat. At what moment this event occurs, for what reasons this transformation occurs - no one knows yet. Therefore, there is no reliable way to protect a cat from FIP.

The causative agent of coronavirus infection

Coronaviruses are common causative agents of serious diseases and are closely related strains of the same virus.

According to the Baltimore Classification of Viruses, the causative agent of coronavirus infection is IV: (+)ss RNA viruses Coronaviridae.
And what a large number of them!

The coronavirus family includes viruses:

infectious bronchitis of chickens (IB)
infectious gastroenteritis of pigs (IGS)
neonatal calf diarrhea coronavirus (NAD)
turkey bluish virus (TBC)
canine coronavirus (CCV)
Feline coronavirus enteritis (CVIEC) and its modification
Coronavirus feline peritonitis (FIP)

From this list we are only interested in:

Feline enteric coronavirus (FECV) and feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV)

FECV(feline enteritis)

It mainly affects the cells of the mucous membrane of the cat's small intestine and causes diarrhea (diarrhea). Kittens after one to two months are especially susceptible to the virus. The disease usually begins with vomiting, and then progresses to diarrhea, which lasts 2-4 days, after which recovery is observed. However, animals remain carriers of the virus for a long time, which is excreted in feces and easily infects other kittens if they use the same toilet. Although this is a very common and common disease in kittens, it is not so dangerous that it attracts much attention.

Infectious peritonitis (FIPV)

It occurs unexpectedly and seemingly spontaneously in kittens and young animals. In contrast to the disease described above, this disease almost inevitably ends in death.
The virus infects macrophages (white blood cells, also known as leukocytes, also known as cells that carry out immune surveillance), destroying them and thereby opening the way for infection in the tissues.

How does this happen? And why is the disease almost always fatal?

Let's try to figure it out. Some may find this interesting. Follow my thought.

Pathogenesis of the disease (This is the most difficult thing!!!)

The virus entered the body through the nasopharynx. It could manifest itself by affecting the epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract). The virus could remain in the body for some time without manifesting itself in any way, from a very short to a very long time. But something happened. For unknown reasons, the virus has mutated, i.e. reborn and began to exhibit its highly pathogenic properties.

A mortal fight begins. Who will win. On the field of action we have, on the one hand, an attacking virus, on the other hand, T-cells (macrophages) and their assistants B-cells (lymphocytes). This is the so-called T-cell and B-cell immunity, the main defenders of the body. There is a viral attack in the cat’s body against the cells of the immune system. Macrophages very actively devour viruses, but their strength is depleted, they shout “guard, help!!!” and then very small, mobile, everywhere penetrating B-cells of the protective unit run to their aid. They begin to work hard to help large, clumsy macrophages destroy viruses. In response to a cry for help, the red bone marrow begins to intensively produce T-cells and produces more and more of them.

BUT!!! A terrible paradox of nature occurs.

The virus, which was absorbed by the macrophage, took root in it, settled well, fed on the reserves of this cell, destroyed it completely, left it and began to look for other cells in order to destroy everything there too. But we have not forgotten that these T-cells (macrophages) are the first defenders of the cat’s body, the first link of immunity, and when they completely die, the virus spreads everywhere.

The problem is that T cells (macrophages) are the main target of the virus. Macrophages captured by the virus can no longer give orders to the defense units. The immune system weakens. B cells (lymphocytes) are unable to destroy the virus. The immune system is completely weakened.

Viruses don't stop there. The hostilities between viruses and defenders continue in the blood and the virus thus spreads throughout the body. It especially likes to accumulate in places where there are many small blood vessels, and these are liver cells, spleen cells and others. If the immune system is weak, the virus destroys blood vessels and through their smallest microtraumas, blood leaks into the cavities. The largest cavity is the abdominal cavity. The abdominal cavity fills with fluid. Ascites (dropsy) occurs. This is wet peritonitis. The course of wet peritonitis is transient.

If the immune system continues to constantly actively resist, the process drags on for a long time, so-called dry peritonitis occurs, i.e. The infectious process involves the lungs, liver, nervous system, mucous membranes, and conjunctiva. Dry peritonitis continues for a long time. It is not immediately recognizable. Basically, all treatment is aimed at its manifestations, and not at itself.

As a rule, in both manifestations of viral infectious peritonitis, death occurs.

Perhaps this is all about how the disease develops.

The same mechanism of disease development occurs in feline viral leukemia and feline viral immunodeficiency. The main thing that happens in the body is the death of immune cells. That is why diseases are often considered similar to HIV - human viral immunodeficiency and its final stage AIDS - acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The body has no chance to survive. He is not protected by anything.

Diagnosis of coronavirus infection in cats

ICA method Diagnostics (VetExpert express test) is very good to use when selling kittens, during matings, and other cases. Easy to do. The owner can make them himself. This will save the breeder from big troubles. Examine the animal's feces. This method allows you to identify clean and infected ones. This method is extremely important when selling a kitten. It can be performed directly in front of the buyer and this is the great value of this method!

PCR method(polymerase chain reaction). This method shows whether the cat has the virus or not. The disadvantage of this method is that it reacts to a titer of up to 400 and therefore gives a positive result. We submit fresh feces to the laboratory and if the result is negative, we live in peace.
A positive result for coronavirus antibodies is not a definitive diagnosis of peritonitis. For more accurate diagnosis there is ELISA method. Blood is examined.

Tab. 1 Quantitative table of coronavirus infection titers.

Symptoms of coronavirus infection

Classic exudative (wet) feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is characterized by the exudation of sticky, straw-colored fluid into the peritoneal and pleural cavities. And therefore, most often the disease is noticed by a progressively swollen abdomen, against the background of increased, fluctuating body temperature. This is the so-called “wet” form of FIP (“dropsy”).

But there is also (much less often) a “dry” form, when there are no external signs, and only increased fluctuating temperature, lethargy, loss of appetite, and weight loss are observed. Non-exudative (dry) FIP is characterized by the manifestation of chronic granulomatosis of organs and systems. Both forms, unfortunately, are fatal. It is impossible to save sick animals.

Treatment

There is no effective treatment for viral peritonitis. Treatment is mainly aimed at concomitant manifestations of the disease - hepatonephropathy, damage to the lungs and heart, and nervous manifestations. The veterinarian himself chooses the treatment tactics.

There is no need to remove from breeding especially valuable cats that are carriers of this disease, but kittens should be weaned from their mother at 7-8 weeks, while their maternal colostral immunity is active.

tab. 2 Approximate statistics (Europe).

There are no such statistics in Russia.

Over the course of a year, I received approximately 300 cats - Scottish, Maine Coons and others; 9 cats died from peritonitis, i.e. approximately 3%.

When writing this article, scientific data, some information from the Internet and my experience were used. It may be difficult for some to understand what I wrote, but I tried to present it very clearly. My colleagues may have questions, please, I am ready for dialogue, but this article was written for the owners of my most adored ones.

Ask, I will answer everyone.

P.S. Do not confuse coronavirus enteritis with coronavirus peritonitis. Very often, various authors, discussing this disease, get confused.

Figure 1. Kitten, 4.5 months, FIP – coronavirus viral peritonitis.

Fig 2.3. Peritoneal lavage (removal of fluid from the abdominal cavity).

Afterword

Virus carriage plays a significant role in the spread of infections, since long-term isolation of virus carriers is practically impossible. An effective preventive measure here is an individual hygiene regime, as well as sanitary and educational work in nurseries, and, in particular, recommendations to virus carriers regarding their behavior and lifestyle.

There are a sufficient number of cat diseases that lead to their death. There are vaccinations against especially dangerous diseases. More cats die from panleukopenia, calcivirosis, rhinotrachein and other viral diseases than from coronavirus infection. In the early stages of the disease, most cats recover with proper treatment.

A simple diarrhea in a kitten, and this is what coronavirus enteritis is in most cases, is always treated, almost never leaving any consequences. And only in very rare cases, this virus remains to live in the cat’s body and these are already carriers, while there are few such cats and very rarely this virus, entering the blood, mutates and leads to death. And there are even fewer such cats. BUT THAT'S YET!!!

Identification of unfavorable nurseries, removal of virus carriers from breeding, timely vaccination, avoidance of overcrowding of cats, sanitary treatment of premises, use of bactericidal lamps, deworming, compliance with quarantine when introducing a new cat to a living community, thorough inspection of producers, adherence to strict rules when using high-breed cats that are carriers infections - following these simple rules will significantly reduce the risk of disease.

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Therapy and prevention: examination of the pet, cost of tests, ultrasound diagnostics, vaccination of the animal, microchipping, etc.;
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Any person who has a cat knows how difficult it is when their pets get sick. The problem is not only in psychological stress, but also in hassle and material terms. Coronavirus poses a serious threat to the life of a cat, and in case of infection, the help of a veterinarian will definitely be needed. Therefore, cat owners should be able to recognize this infection from the first symptoms, when the pet can still be helped.

What is coronavirus in cats?

Coronavirus in cats is an acute disease caused by a virus that can mutate in the animal’s body. This is the danger - the mutating virus turns from a weakly pathogenic strain into a highly infectious strain that can kill a cat.

Coronavirus is a disease with a mortality rate that can reach 100%

Scientists all over the world are trying to study this virus in order to prevent infection. However, so far few have succeeded. Relatively recently (second half of the 20th century), American biologists made a breakthrough in this area. By 1977, one of the mutated strains was isolated. Already in 1981, this virus was officially registered.

To date, two types of strains of this virus are known:

FIPV (leads to infectious peritonitis by affecting white blood cells);
FECV (leads to enteritis and gastroenteritis, affecting the intestinal mucosa).

Based on the severity of the disease, coronavirus is divided into 3 categories:

asymptomatic (most common - the cat becomes a carrier of the virus, but the disease is chronic);
mild (manifests as enteritis, but it is curable);
severe (rare, but it causes serious damage to all internal organs, and infectious peritonitis most often leads to the death of the animal).

Most often, kittens and young cats under 2 years of age become infected with coronavirus. The fact is that this virus enters the living space of many cats, but animals with weak immunity are usually infected. Moreover, the weaker the animal’s immune system, the more dangerous the virus mutates into. With strong immunity, the cat’s body produces antibodies that prevent the insidious virus from multiplying. In such cases, the owner may not even notice that the cat is sick. However, a pet may remain a virus carrier, but no one will even know it.

One of the forms of coronavirus affects blood cells, which subsequently leads to serious disruptions in the functioning of all systems

Is the virus transmitted to humans?

The first thing the owner of a sick cat begins to worry about is whether the virus is transmitted to humans. Some owners are seriously thinking about euthanasia.

I know a breeder who was advised at the veterinary clinic (where coronavirus infection was diagnosed) to euthanize a sick cat. The breeder was sure that the cat would die, but still began treatment. And veterinarians have not reported whether this disease is contagious to humans or not.

Biologists have already proven that feline coronavirus is not dangerous for humans. That is, the cat’s owner cannot get sick from this viral infection. However, it is already known that humans can be a carrier of the virus. The strain will not attack human blood or epithelial tissue, but the cat breeder can carry the infection mechanically (on clothing, hands, etc.). Moreover, cat coronavirus cannot be transmitted to other animals. This infection is dangerous only for representatives of the cat family.

Typically, a veterinarian suggests euthanizing an animal when the cat definitely cannot be helped, and not because it is dangerous to humans. But unfortunately, the cat owner does not always understand this.

If your cat is diagnosed with coronavirus, you need to make sure that other cats living in the house do not become infected. Especially if the virus has mutated into FIP. A sick pet will need your willpower, care and patience.

Feline coronavirus is not dangerous to humans

Causes of the disease

The sources of the virus are most often cats and kittens that are sick or have already been sick (they have become virus carriers). The causes of infection are:

contact with urine or feces of a virus carrier (licking paws after visiting an infectious tray);
spread of discharge from the nose of a sick or recovered animal (usually within 2–3 months after illness);
eating contaminated food (if a healthy cat has access to a virus-carrying bowl).

Infection by airborne droplets is less common, as virus particles can spread in the air if an infected cat sneezes, coughs, etc.

Coronavirus, entering the external environment, remains infectious for some time. However, if it gets into a dry environment, its pathogenicity is quickly neutralized. This virus cannot live in low humidity, exposure to ultraviolet rays, or exposure to disinfectants. That is why owners of domestic cats are recommended to clean the cat's litter box daily, treating it with special products. This is not just about those people who keep several cats at home. After all, an animal can re-infect itself. But there is a nuance: if a cat has already been ill, then it does not necessarily have to become a carrier of the virus. Some cats that have overcome this disease do not release viral particles into the external environment.

First, you need to find out whether your cat excretes coronavirus in its feces or not. To do this, you need to test feces for the presence of coronavirus using the PCR method in your cat, and not in any cat from this litter. Not all cats become carriers of coronavirus after contact with it; there are animals that become ill and do not excrete the virus in their feces.

M. G. Isakova, therapist, forum user
https://www.biocontrol.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=5709

Video: animation about the transmission of the virus to a healthy cat

Symptoms of infection and related illnesses

The viral infection itself may not manifest itself at all (asymptomatic form of the disease). In some cases, your cat may have diarrhea that goes away within a week. Owners often attribute such rare symptoms to poor nutrition, etc. Severe symptoms are not typical for this form of the disease.

Cases of subclinical forms of the disease are slightly less common. In this case, the cat may lose its appetite. A depressed state, refusal to eat, diarrhea or vomiting that went away after a week or two most often indicate this form of coronavirus. If the owner did not ignore this “alarm bell,” then the infection can be diagnosed and treated.

Fortunately, uncomplicated forms of the virus are highly treatable. Although a cat that has recovered from the disease will be a carrier of the virus, it will live a full life, delighting its owners for many years.

The situation is much more serious when a mutated virus leads to a severe form of the disease. Symptoms can be absolutely anything, because pathogenic particles disrupt the functioning of all organs. The most common signs of this form are:

infectious (viral) peritonitis;
enteritis and gastroenteritis.

Some people consider such phenomena to be independent diseases, because each of them is accompanied by a number of clinical signs. However, both peritonitis and enteritis are rather concomitant diseases.

Symptoms of the disease depend on its form

Signs of infectious peritonitis

Peritonitis with coronavirus develops rapidly, the clinical picture becomes obvious almost immediately. Symptoms of viral peritonitis are the following:

apathy, malaise, depression;
enlarged abdomen (becomes round due to fluid accumulation);
lack of appetite or complete refusal to eat (often leads to weight loss, exhaustion, anorexia);
a sick kitten stops growing;
elevated temperature;
respiratory failure (shortness of breath, which can develop into pleurisy and cause the death of the animal);
heart failure (due to fluid accumulation in the abdomen);
dry plaque may appear on the eyelids;
mucous membranes may turn yellow (with liver damage);
malfunctions of the excretory system (kidney failure);
paralysis of limbs.

A sick cat also changes in appearance. The fur becomes dull and dry (as if dirty and disheveled), the muzzle looks unhappy, etc. The owner of the animal may already react to such changes. This can save the animal's life. After all, it is always better to start treatment as early as possible.

Infectious peritonitis is often confused with. The symptoms are very similar, although with ascites the symptoms are not as serious. Ascites is easier to treat and diagnose. If a veterinarian diagnoses ascites without examination and suggests removing fluid from the abdominal cavity, insist on a quality diagnosis. If FIP is run, valuable time will be lost.

Video: viral peritonitis through the eyes of a veterinarian

Signs of enteritis

Enteritis is characterized by disruption of the small intestine. You can tell that a cat has developed enteritis by the following signs:

diarrhea (stool may contain mucus, blood, undigested food debris and other impurities);
vomiting (may be one-time, frequent vomiting is rare with enteritis);
general depression (lethargy, lack of appetite, poor coat appearance, etc.);
increased body temperature;
pain on palpation of the abdomen (the cat will be nervous, meow pitifully, etc.);
bloating (if it is difficult to determine externally, then you can pay attention to the feces - the feces will be foamy);
white coating on the tongue, bad breath;
signs of colds (runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, rarely cough).

Some people confuse the signs of enteritis with symptoms of poisoning and other digestive disorders. But there are some nuances here too. The animal's body will try to fight the virus on its own. Fever, tears, runny nose, etc. are the body’s response to aggressive coronavirus particles.

Remember how you feel, for example, when you have a herpes rash on your lips. Weakness, painful health, runny nose, burning eyes, etc. - this is all a reaction of the body. Body temperature rises when antibodies “fight” the virus. The same condition occurs in cats with coronavirus. The combination of digestive and cold symptoms indicates enteritis.

Diagnosis of the disease

To protect healthy cats, as well as begin treatment for sick animals, the virus must be detected as early as possible. To do this, you need to examine even those animals that do not have obvious symptoms.

A cat may simply be a carrier of coronavirus, without clinical manifestations. It is difficult to protect an animal living in the same house as a carrier; you can simply also conduct a carrier test.

kamenskaya, forum user, veterinarian
http://www.zoovet.ru/forum/?tem=530310&tid=7

There is no specific test for detecting coronavirus in cats. Diagnostics consists of several components:

exclusion method - PCR and ICA (checking excrement for helminths and blood for the presence of bacteria and viruses);
laboratory blood test for the presence of viruses - ELISA and ICA (if there are antibodies to the virus in the blood, then there is a strain);
antibody titer (this analysis helps to identify a specific amount of antibodies, and this allows treatment to be prescribed in accordance with the severity of the disease), for example, with coronavirus peritonitis, the number of antibodies exceeds 1200;
microflora test for sensitivity to antibiotics;
diagnosis by treatment (if the body does not respond positively to symptomatic treatment, then exposure to the virus is needed).

Laboratory tests are needed to diagnose coronavirus

The most accurate diagnostic method is biopsy and histology of the affected tissue. But this is difficult, expensive, requires additional time, and not every clinic practices this method. There are “quick” tests for the presence of the virus, but they are also not available in every clinic. And if there is, then a second check is required (to completely confirm the diagnosis). However, any even confirmed diagnosis will only mean the presence of the virus, but not its nature. Only a veterinarian can determine peritonitis and enteritis based on medical history.

My friends, whose cat fell ill with the so-called “crown”, were tested in several clinics at once. The fact is that in some veterinary hospitals they do not conduct all tests, but only one or two. So they took the PCR test in one clinic, and the titers in another. It turned out to be expensive, but it turned out that the results of all the analyzes turned out to be different. In the most expensive clinic, they compared all these results and summarized the picture - the cat is a carrier of the virus.

Treatment of coronavirus

There is no single treatment regimen for coronavirus. Therefore, treatment most often consists of two main components:

supporting the body in the fight against the virus;
symptomatic therapy.

Polyferrin-A or Roncoleukin can be prescribed as antiviral drugs effective against coronavirus. But simultaneously with these drugs, antibacterial agents can also be prescribed:

Tylosin (tylosin tartrate);
Penicillin;
Amoxicillin (Amoxycillin);
Amoxiclav (Amoksiklav);
Lemomycetin, etc.

Photo gallery: antibacterial drugs

Amoxicillin in the form of a solution or tablets can be bought at any pet pharmacy Levomycetin cannot be used simultaneously with penicillin antibiotics Penicillin is one of the most famous antibiotics in the world Any antibiotic can be bought in several forms (tablets, powder for preparing a solution, etc.) Analogues of Amoxiclav are drugs with amoxicillin (Panklav, Noroclav, etc.)

If fluid accumulates in the cat's chest or abdomen, it is removed (puncture). There are owners who simply do not give their cat water, but this cannot be done. The animal should drink as much as it wants. And excess fluid is removed with the help of diuretics:

Hexamethylenetetramine (hexamethylenetetramine);
Kotervin;
Lasix;
Furosemide;
Indapamide (Indapamidum).

Photo gallery: diuretics for coronavirus

Kotervin is designed for the treatment of urological diseases in cats, but it has a fairly gentle effect on sick animals and has a diuretic effect. In fact, Lasix is an analogue of furosemide, but the price of Lasix is slightly higher. Hexamine is sold in 20 ml bottles, so you can buy it individually ( one bottle costs about 50 rubles)
Analogues of Indapamide: Ravel, Indap, Arifon, etc. You can find Furosemide even in a simple human pharmacy, it is available without a prescription

For vomiting and diarrhea, the cat is prescribed sorbents (for example, activated carbon) and antiemetic drugs:

Metoclopramide;
Prochlorpromazine, etc.

Since the tablets can be spat out by the cat, the drug is usually administered subcutaneously. In addition, to avoid dehydration, a sick cat must be supported with blood substitutes, saline agents and other solutions that will be prescribed by a veterinarian. Such drugs are administered by drip. The most commonly used:

glucose solution;
saline;
Ringer-Locke solution, etc.

If intravenous drip infusions must be carried out for several days in a row, then a small device is sewn into the cat’s limb during the first dropper (so as not to search for a vein every time and not torment the animal). After the infusion, the injection site is bandaged so that the cat cannot pull it all out. The next day, all that remains is to unbandage the selected area and connect the system. It's convenient and painless.

Maintenance solutions are inexpensive and are sold at any pharmacy

In addition, the pet will need to be supported with vitamins and special complexes. B vitamins (B1, B12, B6 and B5) and ascorbic acid are usually prescribed. Veterinarians also often prescribe immunocorrective drugs:

Immunoglobulin;
Feliferon;
Fosprenil;
Gamavit;
Maxidin.

Immunomodulators are also recommended to be administered by injection. Firstly, it will be much more effective, and secondly, the intestinal mucosa will still not accept the medicine well. And when administered, for example, intravenously, the gastrointestinal tract can be avoided.

It is more effective to administer Gamavit intravenously or subcutaneously, at a dose of 0.1 to 0.5 ml per 1 kg of animal body weight

Yulia Gennadievna Toryanik, forum user, veterinarian
http://www.zoovet.ru/forum/?tid=7http:&tem=1064615

Photo gallery: immunomodulators

Whatever immunomodulator you choose, this must be agreed with your veterinarian. When purchasing a medicine, be sure to read the instructions for use. Some immunomodulators have contraindications for use (for example, the age of the animal). It is better to buy the product from a trusted pharmacy (so as not to run into a fake) Before go to a veterinary pharmacy, read reviews about the chosen drug

Immediately after the vomiting has passed, feeding the animal must be restored. The cat must have the strength to fight the virus. P The diet should be high in calories, but dietary. The animal is not allowed to eat anything fatty. If your cat eats store-bought food, then part of the problem will go away on its own. As a rule, industrial food is already nutritious and dietary (you can choose a more suitable food from the same line). But if the animal eats only natural food, then let it be light but nutritious food:

chicken bouillon;
liquid porridge (rice or oatmeal);
kefir, fermented baked milk, cottage cheese, etc.

The use of antibiotics leads to the destruction of not only pathogenic microbes, but also the “beneficial” intestinal microflora. Therefore, in order for the body to begin to absorb nutrients from food, probiotic preparations are needed. Probiotics populate the intestines with microflora, but the duration of their use is determined by the veterinarian. The following probiotics are commonly prescribed:

Bifitrilak;
Fortiflora;
Enterol;
Zoonorm;
Subtilis, etc.

Photo gallery: probiotics for coronavirus

Bifitrilak contains not only prebiotics and probiotics, but also sorbents
Many probiotics can be bought at a regular veterinary pharmacy, while others will have to be ordered. Probiotics manufactured in Russia, as a rule, are cheaper. The probiotic Fortiflora is produced by the Purina company, so you can buy this product in a specialized store
Some probiotics (for example, Enterol) are used to treat both humans and animals

A veterinarian I know told me that probiotics are used throughout the entire antibacterial course. In some cases, antibiotics are no longer used, but lactobacilli still have to be given, since the natural microflora suffers more than other organs. If coronavirus has progressed from a chronic form to infectious peritonitis, then the intestines are a kind of battlefield between the virus and antibiotics. However, he warned me that if you self-medicate and overuse probiotics, your cat’s body may get used to them. And this is an even more serious problem.

After treatment for enteritis or peritonitis, the cat owner should avoid raw fish, vegetables and foods that are prohibited even for healthy cats. The intestinal mucosa remains vulnerable for some time after an illness, so fiber, bones and other rough ingredients can injure it.

Veterinarians believe that the chronic form of coronavirus does not need to be treated, since medications can “plant” the liver, and the virus will not go away from the body. Intervention during a viral illness is only necessary in cases where the virus has mutated to FIP or caused enteritis.

Do kittens get sick and how are they treated?

Kittens are virus carriers even more often than adult cats. In addition to all other ways of infection, babies can also become infected from their mother. In addition, the kitten’s immune system is not yet fully developed. If in a cat’s body the virus simply “sits” for a long time and quietly, then in the kitten’s body it can cause rapid and irreversible processes. Enteritis and peritonitis are the most common diseases that occur in kittens with a crown. Kittens die from coronavirus infection in most cases.

Kittens also get coronavirus

Kittens are treated in the same way as adult cats. There is only one exception - some drugs have age restrictions, so you cannot prescribe and choose a medicine yourself.

There is one rule - do no harm, and I try to follow it. I'm not saying that a cat with bloody diarrhea shouldn't have been treated. I'm talking about a clinically healthy kitten who is cheerful, cheerful and poops exemplary balls.

Tosya, forum user, infectious disease doctor
http://forum.bolen-kot.net.ru/index.php?showtopic=17144

Disease prevention

Pfizer has developed the only intranasal vaccine designed to protect against the coronavirus, Primucell. However, veterinarians cannot guarantee absolute protection to owners of vaccinated cats. There are a number of good reasons for this:

the cat must have comfortable living conditions (cleanliness, dryness, etc.);
the animal’s diet should be balanced (with plenty of vitamins and microelements);
it is necessary to observe basic hygiene rules;
the pet’s habitat must be regularly disinfected;
Each new kitten must be shown to a veterinarian before moving into the house;
Contact of a domestic cat with stray animals should not be allowed;
in order for the cat’s immunity to resist viruses, complications must be prevented (all diseases must be treated immediately and quickly);
the cat must be periodically treated for fleas and worms;
the animal should not experience stress (this reduces immunity).

Coronavirus in cats is a viral infection that most often affects kittens and young cats under 2 years of age. The virus enters the animal's body and leads to a chronic form of the disease. When immunity decreases and other negative factors appear, the virus strain mutates. This is how more severe, complicated forms of the disease appear. The most common signs of coronavirus are infectious peritonitis and enteritis. Treatment in both cases is symptomatic and antibacterial. However, therapy does not always lead to the desired result; many cats die from this infection.

Coronavirus in cats. Is there a chance of salvation?

Of particular danger to living organisms are viruses that are prone to constant mutation and often cannot be treated. Among viruses, the most interesting is the coronavirus in cats, over which felinologists around the world have been puzzling for a long time. The virus received its intricate name due to its shape, similar to a crown.

Coronavirus in cats, which occurs in an acute form, can be fatal. In this regard, it is important to know the features of the course of the disease in order to be able to recognize the first warning signs in time.

The coronavirus lives in the intestines on a permanent basis and, being in an inactive state, is harmless to the animal. When a number of conditions occur, the virus mutates into one of two pathogenic strains. There are 2 strains of the virus that pose a danger to the cat family:

FEC. The feline enteritis virus causes minor inflammation of the small intestine and does not pose a serious danger to the pet if treated in a timely manner. However, it can mutate into a more dangerous form.
FIP– the process of mutation of the first type. It causes inflammation of the abdominal cavity - peritonitis.

The virus is easily transmitted and poses a danger even to domestic cats that do not go outside. 4% of animals are endowed with innate immunity, so owners should minimize the possible causes of the disease.

High-risk groups include:

kittens (the mortality rate of sick animals is 90% and does not depend on the severity of the virus);
elderly animals (over 10 years old);
cats with weak immune systems that have suffered from illness.

Most often, the virus breaks out when a large number of cats are kept in one place. Constant contact spreads it from the carrier to other cohabitants, so serious outbreaks of the disease are observed in special nurseries.

The causes of infection can be:

Feces. It is not only direct contact that poses a danger, but also interaction with the cleaning tray, litter or scoop. Owners with only one pet can bring the smallest particles of infection on shoes into the house.
Fur and drool. Toys, bowls with water and food of the patient should be isolated from other animals. Also try to avoid mutual licking.

It is worth noting that coronavirus does not pose a danger to humans.

Symptoms

The attack of a virus that has entered the body is directed at the epithelial cells of the gastrointestinal tract. Due to the massive replication of infection within the body, the cellular structure of the infected animal is destroyed.

If the cat is not at risk and is affected by a weak form of coronavirus - FEC, then the rate of cell destruction is low. In this case, the harm caused is minimal and does not have pronounced symptoms. However, the following signs can be noted:

stool disorder (diarrhea);
runny nose and discharge of tears;
vomit;
periodic refusal to eat and apathetic state.

These symptoms are similar to many other diseases. However, the detection of at least one sign is a reason to take your pet for examination.

The incubation period depends on age and the body's ability to resist the virus. In weakened, elderly and young animals, symptoms are noticeable after a couple of days; in other cases, alarming signs appear after 2 or even 3 weeks.

As noted earlier, feline peritonitis is the most dangerous. Depending on the degree of damage to the body, 2 types of FIP strain are distinguished:

A sick animal has:

Fatigue quickly. Anemia progresses as the disease progresses.
Loss of appetite and extreme thirst. Subsequently, dehydration leads to dry skin and coat, and refusal to eat leads to weight loss.
Intestinal dysfunction. The feces acquire a greenish tint, a watery texture and a pungent odor. Later, traces of blood may be found in the stool.
Nausea. Intoxication of the body can lead to kidney and liver failure.
Changing the shade of mucous membranes to a paler color.
Ascites. Despite severe weight loss, the pet's abdomen becomes significantly bloated due to fluid accumulation.
Temperature surges.
Convulsions, loss of coordination.

Remember that you should not treat your cat yourself. Erroneous diagnosis and incorrect treatment methods threaten to worsen the patient’s condition. If you notice any health problems, always contact a specialist.

Diagnosis and treatment

Blood and stool tests are used for diagnosis. However, it is impossible to accurately determine the location of the virus and its shape. The best method is a blood serum test that shows the amount of antibodies. Using it, the doctor is able to predict the further development of the disease and prescribe treatment.

Unfortunately, there is no way to cure coronavirus in cats. Recommended treatment suppresses symptoms and slows down the development process to enable you to overcome the disease on your own. In the early stages of the disease, it is possible to save your pet, so you need to immediately respond to any changes in habitual behavior.

If coronavirus is suspected, the animal is prescribed treatment, including:

Immunomodulators. Suitable only in the early stages of development, inhibiting the progression of the disease.
Antibiotics, corticosteroids. Reduce symptoms and relieve inflammation.
Changing your diet. The animal is transferred to natural food (boiled chicken and low-fat fish). In case of severe weakness, it is recommended to leave only the broths and administer a glucose solution intravenously.
Removing fluid from the abdominal cavity.

Careful care and strict adherence to prescribed treatment significantly increase the likelihood of your pet’s recovery. The prognosis is disappointing only when peritonitis occurs, but even in this case, you can extend the life of your beloved cat by eliminating painful and alarming symptoms. In such cases, especially in the chronic form of the disease, the animal is prescribed regular visits to the veterinarian.

Thus, coronavirus in cats can be effectively suppressed if emerging symptoms are quickly recognized and life-saving treatment is started in a timely manner.

Prevention

In 1990, the first and only vaccine against coronavirus infection was invented in the United States, but it was not distributed in the Russian Federation and the European Union. This is due to the existence of a risk of developing the most severe form of the disease, which is due to the presence of the virus in the body of the vaccinated animal. Vaccinations are recommended no earlier than the 16th week of life. At this age, 50% of individuals already have a dormant virus in their body.

Conclusion

Proper care and standard preventive measures will significantly reduce the risk of coronavirus infection. However, even if an unpleasant diagnosis is made, you should not give up on your beloved pet.

The ability to notice even minor violations in the usual behavior of a pet and the speed of response will help organize treatment in the early stages. Remember that in more severe forms of the disease there is also a chance of saving a life.

Pumping out the accumulated fluid and symptomatic treatment of coronavirus in cats with chronic peritonitis will not only prolong life, but also make it as comfortable as possible and close to normal.

Watch also the video