How long does a cat with feline infectious peritonitis live before dying?

Feline infectious peritonitis is caused by coronavirus infection. In the late stage of exudative feline infectious peritonitis, abdominal fluid occurs, and severe cases may even have pleural fluid and jaundice. The course of feline infectious peritonitis is longer than that of general infectious diseases, usually ranging from 1 to 24 months. The mortality rate is usually very high. symptomatic treatment and supportive therapy may temporarily alleviate some symptoms, but the condition will usually continue to deteriorate afterwards. This requires a great deal of patience from the owner and will cost a lot of money.

How long does a cat with feline infectious peritonitis live before dying?

The infectious rate of feline infectious peritonitis is very high, and the mortality rate can reach up to 95%. The course of the disease can last for two to three months and eventually lead to death. The incubation period of the disease varies, ranging from several months to several years. The incubation period of experimental infection is 2-14 days, and the incubation period of natural infection may be 14 months or even longer.

Symptoms of a cat with feline infectious peritonitis near death

Due to the presence of both dry and wet types of feline infectious peritonitis, the symptoms near death may vary. Cats with dry feline infectious peritonitis will show symptoms such as generalized jaundice, extreme weight loss, no appetite, extreme depression, eye purulence, weak breathing and heartbeat, etc. Cats with wet feline infectious peritonitis will show symptoms such as abdominal and chest distension, cyanosis of the mucous membranes, extreme difficulty breathing, weight loss, and lack of spirit.

How to treat feline infectious peritonitis early

When clinical symptoms of feline infectious peritonitis appear, symptomatic treatment and supportive therapy may temporarily alleviate symptoms. The treatment plan includes oral prednisolone and immunostimulants, but immunostimulants are ineffective for wet feline infectious peritonitis. The main principles of symptomatic treatment and supportive therapy are to promote appetite, give energy to enhance the immune system to fight the virus.