Infectious peritonitis is an expensive or chronically occurring viral disease of domestic and wild cats, which is caused by the feline coronavirus . Peritonitis is manifested in several forms - proliferative (dry), exudative (wet), and in 75% of animals in asymptomatic form. Most often, the disease manifests itself at the age of six months to five years.
The source of RNA-containing virus is ill and sick cats. A sick cat, from the beginning of the incubation period and within 1.5-3 months after the end of the illness, secretes the virus with urine, feces and nasal outflows. Animals are infected orally, but there are also airborne infections.
Infectious peritonitis of cats is more difficult to tolerate by small kittens than by adult individuals.
Symptoms of infectious peritonitis in cats
First, the virus develops in the intestines and tonsils, from which it spreads throughout the body, in particular to the lymph nodes. By blood RNA virus is entered in the tissues and many orans, especially where there is a large accumulation of blood vessels. If the animal has an excellent immune system, the reproduction of the virus stops and the disease does not develop.
If the immunity of your pet is weakened, then there is a high probability of infection with peronitis. To correctly diagnose infectious peritonitis cats need to pay attention to the following symptoms:
- temperature increase;
- anorexia ;
- accumulation of fluid in the thoracic / abdominal cavity;
- shortness of breath;
- noises in the heart and lungs;
- an increase in the kidneys, pancreas and liver.
The diagnosis is based on the results of serological studies. The decisive role is played by the results of the autopsy of dead cats and histological studies.
Treatment of the disease
So this is a very complex disease, treatment should be trusted exclusively by specialists. Infectious peritonitis in cats offers a comprehensive treatment. To facilitate the condition, cats are made with punctures and remove the accumulated exudate. In parallel, diuretic drugs (verospheron, hexamethylenetetramine, lasix, diacarb, triampur, ammonium chloride) are used in therapeutic dosages.
To suppress the pathogenic microflora antibiotics are prescribed - ampicillin and ampiox 5-7 days, tylosin 2 days, levomycetin, claforan, baytril, etc. In addition, it is necessary to include multivitamin preparations and vitamins of group C and B. Immunostimulants are attributed.