Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
Feline infectious peritonitis or FIP is caused by the coronavirus virus and most strains of this virus are not disease causing (enteric coronavirus). Feline Infectious Peritonitis affects less than 1% of the cats brought in to seek regular medical treatment from their veterinarian. Only 5% to 10% of cats whom contract the coronavirus will develop Feline Infectious Peritonitis.
Feline Infectious Peritonitis infects the cat's white blood cells which then carry the virus throughout the cat's body. The virus causes an inflammatory reaction around the vessels within the tissue where the infected cells are located within the body. Feline Infectious Peritonitis is almost always fatal.
The disease is spread by feces and saliva. FIP is more prevalent in multi-cat environments like shelters and breeding facilities, and in cats under two years of age, or those suffering from Feline Leukemia.
There are two types of FIP: wet and dry. Wet Feline Infectious Peritonitis can causes a build up of a thick yellow fluid within the cat's chest and/or abdomen. The dry form of the disease may cause seizures, organ failure, paralysis and a variety of other symptoms.
Once contracted there is no reasonably effective treatment to counteract the disease.
Feline Leukemia & Medistinal Lymphoma
Feline Leukemia (FeLV) compromises the feline's immune system. Cats can develop secondary infections such as Feline Infectious Peritonis if their immune system becomes compromised by Feline Leukemia and other diseases that may compromise the feline's immune system.
Mediastinal Lymphoma (a form of cancer concerning the lymph nodes) can cause a buildup of fluid within the lungs. The fluid collected in the lungs can cause difficulty breathing as well as coughing. The average age of a cat with Mediastinal Lymphoma are 2 to 3 years of age and 80% of the all cases are found in cats whom have tested FeLV positive.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopothy
Hypethrophic Cardiomyopathy is a cardiac disease that is most prevalent in younger adult cats, though it is important to understand that it can strike at any age. Cats suffering from this form of heart disease can develop a build of fluid within the lungs and/or the chest cavity itself.
It is thought that there may be a specific genetic component to Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and may, therefore, be more prevalent in certain areas comprised of a shared gene pool.
Pleural Effusion (Fluid Surrounding the Lungs)
Pleural Effusion is an abnormal collection of fluid within the pleural cavity (between the lungs and the thoracic wall, which can be cause by a variety of things including; kidney disease, heart failure, cancer, infection, and traumatic injury.
Pleural Effusion effects the pleural tissues on the outside surface of the lungs and the interior surface of the chest cavity, causing a buildup of fluid inside the pleural cavity. The pressure caused by the build up of fluid causes fever, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
This nor any other article can ever substitute for a proper annual checkup.