Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a viral disease caused by a feline
coronavirus that affects wild and domestic cats. This type of coronavirus is
different from the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 in people. Feline
coronavirus is very common and usually doesn't cause any serious issues,
aside from mild diarrhea. But when the feline coronavirus changes to a
specific strain of the coronavirus, FIP can develop. In about 10% of
infected cats, the virus will multiply and mutate, resulting in an infection
known as feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) that spreads throughout
the cat’s body. It can cause an extreme inflammatory reaction in the tissues
surrounding the abdomen, kidney, or brain. Although FIP is not
believed to be contagious, it is a very serious disease. When a cat gets
FIP, it is progressive and almost always fatal.
📖 Learn more about this deadly virus.