From:
"Sukie Crandall"
Date: 2006-12-23 17:20:00 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] The new FIP like illness in ferrets
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
I have been told that the symptoms are like those of cats, but
hope to learn more later when I am more able to do so, ***so I
looked up the symptoms in cats in case that helps anyone.***
Some are sure to be symptoms seen with other illnesses as well.
Specimens from such individuals are under study in the Ferret
Pathology Project at Michigan State. Dr. Matti Kiupel is the
individual to contact, and I can pass on that contact info, though
I think that it is also in the archives.
from
http://www.animalhealthchannel.com/fip/symptoms.shtml
which is very clearly written on FIP symptoms in cats:
It says that it is at first asymptomatic in cats then it begins
replicating in the throat, lungs, stomach and intestine:
BEGIN QUOTE
During this time, cats may display the symptoms of a mild upper
respiratory infection: sneezing, watery eyes, and nasal discharge.
Others give the appearance of having an intestinal problem:
diarrhea, weight loss, and lethargy. Many cats have nonspecific
symptoms: intermittent loss of appetite, depression, rough hair
coat, weight loss, and fever.
END QUOTE
Wet FIP causes fluid accumulation of the sort we ferret people are
used to thinking of in relation to cardiomyopathy, and sometimes with
other things like kidney disease or lymphoma. A water balloon belly
or pot belly may happen if the fluid accumulated in the abdomen, or if
the fluid accumulates in the thorax then it may become very hard for
the animal to breathe. In addition:
BEGIN QUOTE
The lining of the affected cavity, along with the liver and spleen, becomes
coated with white, fibrinous matter. Some lymph nodes may be enlarged.
Other signs include:
Gastrointestinal and eye ulcers
Jaundice
Mild anemia
Neurological abnormalities
Severe conjunctivitis
END QUOTE
Dry FIP develops slowly in cats without pronounced fluid accumulation.
Common symptoms include weight loss, anemia, fever, and depression.
Young cats may have thier growth stunted. Also:
BEGIN QUOTE
Other symptoms depend on the organs affected:
Increased water consumption and urination (kidneys)
Jaundice (liver)
Vomiting and/or diarrhea (pancreas)
Ocular inflammation, conjunctivitis, and blindness (eyes)
Brain inflammation, paralysis in the hind legs, weakness, shaking, vertigo,
seizures, and personality changes (central nervous system)
The affected organs often develop a characteristic pyogranulomatous
inflammation, in which the diseased tissue becomes thickened with an
accumulation of white blood cells. The only definitive way to diagnose this
form of FIP is by postmortem biopsy of the lesions.
END QUOTE
Sukie (not a vet)
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