7 year old cat with viral peritonitis. Feline infectious peritonitis

There are two forms of infectious peritonitis: dry and wet.
With dry infectious peritonitis, granulomatous lesions develop various organs(mostly abdominal cavity), and clinical symptoms reflect these disorders. In addition to the abdominal organs, the virus can affect the nervous system and eyes. In cases of severe abdominal organ involvement, the main symptoms are chronic pyrexia, weight loss and depression.
The wet form is characterized by the accumulation of free fluid in the chest or abdominal cavity, as well as in both cavities. In addition, the wet form may present with granulomatous lesions, which are more characteristic of the dry form. In addition, many cases of the disease transitioning from dry to wet form and vice versa.

There is no specific treatment for infectious peritonitis.
Antiviral drugs and immunomodulators suppress virus replication in cell culture, but are ineffective in vivo. The use of corticosteroids and antibiotics may temporarily relieve the clinical symptoms. Some cats recover spontaneously, but this is extremely rare. Good care And symptomatic treatment alleviate the course of the disease and can lead to improvement in the condition of patients for several months.

Clinical case

Inspection:

• rectal temperature 40.3 °C;
• visible mucous membranes are pale pink;
• capillary filling speed 1–2 seconds;
• submandibular The lymph nodes enlarged, somewhat painful on palpation;
• fatness is moderate;
• coat with a natural shine;
• skin turgor is preserved;
• Auscultation revealed no respiratory sounds, frequency breathing movements – 34;
• the heartbeat is increased, the murmur is not auscultable, heart rate is 145;
• femoral artery pulse good filling, harsh;
• abdominal wall on palpation it is very tense, palpation is difficult, but in general the abdominal wall is painless.

Ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity:

• Liver: homogeneous structure, echogenicity is not changed, free fluid is visualized between the liver lobes, hepatic vessels are dilated, bile ducts moderately expanded, the ventral edge of the organ protrudes 3–4 cm beyond the edge of the costal arch.
• Gallbladder ovoid shape, the echogenicity of the wall is not changed, the contents are hypoechoic, in moderate quantities, the sediment is not visualized.
• The stomach is poorly filled, the echogenicity of the wall is not changed, the folding is preserved.
• The pancreas is not enlarged, hypoechoic, difficult to visualize, the contours are blurred, the omentum around the organ is hyperechoic.
• Duodenum: the layering of the walls is smoothed, echogenicity is significantly increased, there is liquid content in the lumen, there are no signs of pendulum peristalsis.
• Small intestine: the layering of the walls is smoothed, echogenicity is significantly increased, peristalsis is slow, the lumen is expanded evenly with liquid contents, symmetrical corrugated folding is observed.
• The spleen is enlarged, the edge is rounded, the structure of the organ is homogeneous, the echogenicity of the parenchyma is not changed.
• Right kidney: 35.3 × 27.2 mm, corticomedullary differentiation is preserved, a pronounced hyperechoic medullary border is visualized. IN cortical layer several round (up to 4) anechoic areas with clear boundaries are visualized (presumably cysts). The contours of the organ are smooth, the shape is close to oval, but in the cranial part of the organ there is a mobile, prominent, dense hyperechoic area. Rice. 1
• Left kidney: 39.9 × 25.9 mm, oval shape, corticomedullary differentiation is preserved, a pronounced hyperechoic medullary border is visualized. In the cortical layer, single round anechoic areas with clear boundaries are visualized (presumably cysts). Rice. 2
• The bladder is moderately full, the wall is smooth, and a small amount of hyperechoic suspension is detected.
• Free fluid is located in significant quantities throughout the entire volume of the abdominal cavity.
• There is no free gas.

A set of characteristic ultrasound changes (medullary border in the kidneys, symmetrically corrugated wall small intestine throughout its entire length, hepato- and splenomegaly, the presence of a significant amount of free fluid in the abdominal cavity) allows high probability assume the patient has infectious peritonitis.

Aspiration of liquid contents was performed under ultrasound guidance. Liquid ( bright yellow color, odorless, opalescent, viscous) was sent for cytological analysis and PCR to detect the FIP virus.

Cytology: cellular composition represented by a large number of non-degenerative neutrophils; moderate amount non-activated and activated macrophages, some of which are in a state of erythro- and leukophagocytosis; single small lymphocytes. There are single cells in a state of karyorrhexis. Background pink, grainy, presented a small amount red blood cells, destroyed cells. No infectious agents or signs of malignancy were found.
Conclusion: aseptic exudate, blood contamination.

Research result PCR method: Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) – positive.

Treatment

• Prednisolone - 0.5 mg/kg intramuscularly 2 times a day for 3 days (hereinafter - according to the condition and the result of a fluid analysis using PCR for infectious peritonitis).
• Ceftazidime – 30 mg/kg intramuscularly 2 times a day for 21 days.

On the 2nd day of therapy, the patient’s condition improved sharply, activity and appetite were restored to the proper extent, and the rectal body temperature was 39.0 °C.
Based on the analysis, the dosage of prednisolone was adjusted: 1.5 mg/kg once a day, long-term.
14 days after the start of glucocorticosteroid therapy, a decrease in abdominal volume and abdominal wall tension was noted.
The results of blood tests 16 days after the start of treatment revealed a decrease in hemoglobin level to 86 g/l, hematocrit level - 27%, erythropenia (according to lower limit norm - 5.77 million), the number of reticulocytes corresponded to the norm (7.5 K/μl), lymphocytopenia (0.46 x 109 /l), level total protein- 99 g/l, hyperbilirubinemia (14 µmol/l).
According to the results biochemical analysis blood and ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, ursodeoxycholic acid was added to the prescription (15 mg/kg once a day for a month) and glucocorticosteroid therapy was continued.

1 month after the repeated blood test, an examination was carried out, as a result of which it was found that the positive dynamics were consolidated, while the volume of the abdominal cavity decreased, according to subjective assessment, by 1/3 of the original volume. There was a decrease in body weight by 200 grams, the spinous processes of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae were well palpated.
The results of blood tests at this time: the number of red blood cells was normal (6 x 1012 /l), hematocrit - 27%, platelet level - 169 x1012 /l,
lymphocytopenia (0.55 x 109 /l), leukocyte level - 5.53 x109 /l, level total bilirubin- 1.4 µmol/l, total protein level - 91 g/l.
An attempt was made to reduce the dosage of prednisolone to 1 mg/kg. The dynamics are negative, which manifested itself in sharp decline activity, partial suppression of appetite and thirst. The dosage was again increased to 1.5 mg/kg.

During the next examination, the patient was diagnosed with a right-sided reducible inguinal-scrotal hernia (the contents of the hernial sac - loops of the jejunum) using ultrasound.

The patient's condition is currently stable. Monthly monitoring of blood test results (clinical and biochemical) is recommended. Also, if the volume of fluid in the abdominal cavity increases, abdominocentesis with evacuation of free fluid contents from the abdominal cavity is recommended.

conclusions

Literature:

1. R. Gaskell, M. Bennett. "Handbook for infectious diseases dogs and cats", publishing house "Aquarium", 2009.
2. Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Diseases of the dog and the cat, 2017.
3. Sykes Jane E. Canine and Feline Infectious Diseases, 2013.

There are many dangers to the health of pets. One of the most serious illnesses considered to be peritonitis in cats. Every owner must know the symptoms of this disease in order to prevent its development in time if the animal becomes infected.

Peritonitis is a disease in which inflammation of the membrane covering the internal organs occurs. The pathology is extremely dangerous because it is difficult to diagnose, and the survival rate even with timely diagnosis is extremely low.

The disease has been known to veterinary medicine for fifty years. To date, it has been sufficiently studied, however, effective method no treatment has yet been created.

The virus that causes peritonitis - coronavirus - is localized in tissues thyroid gland, as well as in kidney cells. The pathogen is resistant to external conditions, however, dies when exposed to direct sunlight and high temperatures.

Animals aged from five months to two years are at risk. Those most susceptible to the disease are those living in large quantities in a small area, as well as stray animals. Highest probability The disease can be contracted in young and elderly pets.

There are three types of peritonitis in cats:

1. Bacterial species. The disease develops as a result of foreign objects entering the abdominal cavity. pathogenic organisms. This can happen if the integrity of the digestive organs is violated, injuries, tumor diseases V digestive tract animal. Trauma to the mucous membranes, which subsequently provokes the occurrence of peritonitis, can be caused by microtrauma during the movement of hairballs and solid particles through the intestines.
2. Viral. Occurs when the Coronavirus virus enters the body. The infectious agent is capable of mutation, coming into contact with the cells of the body, after which it spreads to all tissues and organs. The disease is extremely dangerous, because even with quality treatment Only one cat in ten survives.
3. Postoperative. May occur as a result of surgery. The development of pathology is provoked not only by the mistake of the operating doctor, but also by the weakened state of the animal at the time of the intervention.

There are two forms of the disease in cats:

• wet,
• dry.

The wet form occurs as a result of the accumulation of fluid in soft tissues peritoneum and its subsequent infection. 70% of cases are recorded in wet form. In the wet form, the inflammatory process involves many blood vessels, the elasticity of which decreases as a result of the disease. Due to the ingress of fluid (exudate) into tissues and organs, this form becomes acute.

The dry type is characterized by an accumulation of inflamed tissue in the abdominal cavity. In this form, fewer blood vessels are involved. The pathology is localized in small neoplasms - pyogranulomas - nodules resulting from inflammation.

Transfer methods

There are several routes of infection. Animals generally become infected through contact with each other. A cat can also catch the infection from waste products of an infected animal. Another way of infection is from a pregnant cat to a kitten.

That is, the disease is transmitted:

• By airborne droplets;
• Oral;
• Orally;
• Transplacental.

In large concentrations of animals in close areas, the risk of infection is greatest. Such places include nurseries, shelters and places where stray cats gather.

The postoperative type can occur after an incorrectly performed operation, including after sterilization. In case of violation of antiseptic and sanitary standards, as well as as a result of an error during the operation - a violation of the integrity digestive organs or opening abscesses.

Also, postoperative peritonitis can occur after a properly performed operation. The disease develops during infection of internal organs through an unhealed suture, and can also be caused by weakened immunity and low body resistance.

A cat carrying the peritonitis virus is a carrier for a long time. The incubation period ranges from three days to several weeks. All this time, the animal may not show symptoms of the disease, but infect others.

It has been noted that purebred animals are more likely to become victims of coronavirus. Pets who have recently encountered stressful situations are also at risk.

The least likely to get sick are pets who do not have free access to walks, as well as those who do not come into contact with unfamiliar animals.

However, even those animals that are kept at home and do not meet their relatives need to comply with sanitary standards. This especially applies to feeding areas and toilets.

Symptoms of peritonitis

Peritonitis develops rapidly, so the symptoms are pronounced. Depending on the form of the disease, the signs of the disease differ.

In the wet form, or exudative, the animal exhibits the following symptoms:

• Increased body temperature. Fever does not subside with antibiotics;
• Exhaustion of the body due to a complete lack of appetite;
• Enlargement of the peritoneum, the animal becomes pot-bellied;
• The accumulation of fluid may be localized in the chest area. In this case, the animal will breathe heavily and wheezing is possible;
• There is an increase in the size of the liver and lymph nodes;
• Digestion is disrupted, disorders are possible;
• With a long incubation period, kittens stop growing.
• The dry form of peritonitis has the following symptoms:
• The animal loses weight, it is apathetic and lethargic;
• Lymph nodes enlarge. Upon palpation, the doctor may detect an enlarged liver;
• Violation of the organs of vision - the eyes become cloudy, inflammation is possible;
• In case of defeat nervous system The cat has seizures, urinary incontinence, vestibular apparatus not working correctly.

Differences between enteritis and peritonitis

For a long time in medicine, these two concepts were synonymous. However, today it is reliably known: Enteritis and peritonitis are different diseases.

With enteritis, the intestinal mucous membranes are affected, which provokes their inflammation. In peritonitis, the virus penetrates into immune cells animal. The principle of action of peritonitis is similar to the HIV virus in humans. It is for this reason that it is completely curable viral peritonitis not yet possible in cats.

Diagnostics

Only a veterinarian can make or refute a diagnosis. However, if even a few symptoms are present, it is necessary to take the cat to the clinic for examination.

When making a diagnosis, the following factors are taken into account:

• Number of animals living in one territory;
• The condition of the animal shortly before the onset of symptoms: indigestion, sneezing;
• Having contact with other cats;
• Have you had any recent surgical interventions?

A blood test may also be needed. A biopsy is performed. For diagnostic purposes, ultrasound examination, laparoscopy and X-ray examination are also performed.

Treatment of the disease

The prognosis for a cat with a viral type of disease is unfavorable. Almost all animals that fall victim to the virus die. Only strong individuals whose organs have been partially affected by the infection can be treated.

For minor tissue damage, maintenance therapy and a course of antibiotics are prescribed. In some cases, a blood transfusion may be needed.

The severe form of the disease is incurable.

It is important to understand that the wet form of peritonitis inevitably leads to the death of the animal. If the prognosis is favorable, it is only possible to maintain the animal’s condition by intensive care. However, cats whose bodies are weakened and cannot resist the virus must be euthanized.

Prevention

Since the disease peritonitis in cats is incurable, prevention of this disease is the most important measure.

For any medical interventions it is necessary to minimize the possibility of inflammation. It is inflammatory processes that are the “breeding ground” of the peritonitis virus.

There is a vaccine, the effect of which is aimed at strengthening the cat’s immunity and resistance to coronavirus, however, the effectiveness of such a measure has not been proven.

Peritonitis is a dangerous disease, so every attentive owner should know the causes of its occurrence and become familiar with the symptoms of the disease.

If you have questions on the topic, ask us in the comments section.

Peritonitis is an inflammatory process localized in the abdominal cavity. There are many factors motivating the development dangerous condition. Purulent, bacterial or viral peritonitis in cats is a reason to contact the clinic immediately, otherwise the pet will die. Unfortunately, a sad outcome cannot always be avoided, even if help is provided in as soon as possible. Therefore, it is important to make every effort to minimize the very possibility of this disease occurring.

The form distinguishes between dry and wet purulent peritonitis in cats. Dry peritonitis is foci (granulomas) of inflamed cells localized in any organ. Most often these are the liver, intestines, lymph nodes, and kidneys. Symptoms are nonspecific: severe fever, lethargy, refusal to feed, the body does not respond to antibiotics. Wet purulent peritonitis in cats occurs due to the decomposition of fluid accumulated in the peritoneum (sometimes in the chest or pericardium). In addition to the symptoms listed above, it is clearly noticeable. In most cases, cats suffer from the wet form of peritonitis (about 70% of animals). Peritonitis can be not only purulent, but also fibrinous, serous or mixed, which is determined by collecting fluid and analyzing it.

There is a widespread belief among inexperienced owners that appendicitis in cats is main reason peritonitis (similar to peritonitis in humans). Appendicitis refers to inflammation of the vermiform appendix of the cecum - the appendix. But cats do not have an appendix at all, so appendicitis in cats is impossible in principle. The causes of peritonitis in cats are listed below.

Read also: Atony in cats - an overview of the disease

Bacteria – mortality rate about 50%

Infectious peritonitis in cats occurs as a result of penetration of blood, bile, urine, intestinal or stomach contents into the abdominal cavity. Bacteria, which normally should not be in the abdominal cavity, begin to multiply, leading to an acute inflammatory process. Causes: damage to the walls of the stomach or intestines rough food or foreign object, ulcers, tumors, injuries of internal organs. Bacterial peritonitis in cats may result from distension of the intestinal wall due to the accumulation of hairballs or fecal stones: through microcracks formed as a result of intestinal stretching, the contents seep out.

Infectious peritonitis in cats is symptomatically little different from other peritonitis: fever, abdominal pain, thirst, sudden weakness, loss of appetite. Prevention: detection and control chronic diseases, refusal to feed your pet bones and other rough foods that can damage the intestines.

Ascites – mortality rate about 80%

Ascites is the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. There are many reasons: injuries, obesity, diabetes, chronic diseases of internal organs, etc. Ascites does not always lead to peritonitis - the fluid may remain sterile. But if bacteria begin to multiply in the accumulated fluid, bacterial peritonitis in cats. As a rule, the culprit is an intestinal bacterium, which is relatively safe and does not normally cause disease.

Obvious symptoms of peritonitis in cats suffering from ascites are: a sharp increase fever, vomiting and diarrhea, discoloration of mucous membranes (yellowness, pallor), acutely painful peritoneum. Prevention: detection and control of chronic diseases.

Read also: Yellow diarrhea in a kitten: causes and treatment (at home in the clinic)

FIP coronavirus – less than 1% survive

Coronaviruses normally either do not cause disease or provoke enteritis, which is curable with timely application to the veterinarian. However, this virus is capable of mutation: forming a link with macrophages, it spreads throughout the body. The stronger the infection, the more macrophages the immune system sends to fight the invader. The more macrophages, the faster feline viral peritonitis develops: either as a result of sweating, fluid accumulates in the peritoneum, or multiple foci of inflammation form on the tissues of internal organs.

Since coronaviruses are known “provocateurs” of human immunity, many owners think that viral peritonitis of cats is transmitted to humans. However, in reality this disease is not contagious (for both people and any animals). The mutation of the virus occurs inside the host’s body, “adjusting” to its individual characteristics. In addition, they are harmful in the body of humans and cats. different types viruses.

Symptoms of FIP include fever, sharp pains in the peritoneum, apathy and lethargy, bloating, gastrointestinal disorders. There may be other signs, depending on which organ or system of the body is more affected. Unfortunately, veterinarians consider treatment of peritonitis in cats (caused by coronavirus) impossible. This is a fatal disease. However, in some cases, a pet can live for several months or even years - with proper care, medication support and medical supervision. Prevention: general support immunity, preventing contact with potential carriers of coronavirus. There is an experimental vaccine for FIP, but its safety and effectiveness are still in doubt.

The causative agent of feline infectious peritonitis is coronavirus. The disease can occur in subacute and chronic form, and have a proliferative (pathological uncontrolled proliferation of cells) or exudative nature. Peritonitis manifests itself in sweating large quantity pathological fluid into the abdominal and pleural cavity cat's body.

Causes of viral peritonitis in cats

It is quite logical from the name of the disease that the main cause of its occurrence is a virus, namely the RNA-containing coranovirus FIPY. In this case, the effect of the virus can be of a different nature:

• exudative, that is, there is a process of fluid effusion into internal environment body;
• non-exudative, accompanied by granulomatous changes (formation of nodules in internal organs).

Ways of infection with the virus

Viral peritonitis is a relatively new disease in cats.

• Most often, animals that are not yet 2 years old, or quite old, one might say, elderly individuals, over 10 years old, are infected.
• Cats entering age group Between 2 and 11 years of age are not particularly susceptible to the disease, although cases of peritonitis do occur among them rarely.

The main route of infection is through the mouth:

• when eating food contaminated with a virus;
• when feces of a sick animal accidentally enter the body of a healthy one.

Most likely, viral peritonitis can be classified as a disease that occurs as a result of complete unsanitary conditions.

• The virus can also be transmitted through the air, that is, the aerogenic route of transmission plays an important role in the spread of infection.
• But there is another version of the occurrence of the disease: many scientists suggest that most cats are infected not by the virus itself, but by its mutants that multiply in the intestines of a healthy animal, and the presence of contact with other four-toed cats seems to have nothing to do with it.

Viral peritonitis - quite rare disease, but the mortality rate (mortality) reaches 100%.

Signs of feline viral peritonitis

Exudative form infectious peritonitis is accompanied by:

• depression;
• loss of appetite;
• insignificant;
• gradual weight loss;
• increased abdominal volume as a result of ascites;
• shortness of breath due to fluid accumulation in chest cavity and development of pleurisy;
• in more in rare cases Fluid accumulates in the heart sac, which leads to heart rhythm disturbances.

The proliferative form of the disease usually has chronic course and includes the following features:

• depression;
• rapid loss of body weight;
• rapid appearance of signs of damage to internal organs (kidneys and others).

Often proliferative form Peritonitis is accompanied by eye damage, which manifests itself:

• accumulation of dry plaque under the eyelids;
• signs of ophthalmitis or.

Changes in the central nervous system are also observed:

• ataxia (sharp, causeless change in mood);
• paralysis of the limbs (mainly the hind limbs);
• unusual behavior.

Diagnosis of feline viral peritonitis

A reliable diagnosis can only be made by autopsy of the animal, as sad as it may sound, based on pathoanatomical and histological changes in the internal organs.

• In addition, there is PCR diagnostics. This method determines the presence or absence of the virus genome in the animal’s body.
• Another option for diagnosing peritonitis is to study ascites fluid in the laboratory, for which a puncture of the abdomen is performed. Laboratory workers indirect signs(the presence of a gray viscous fluid with fibrin flakes) may suggest the presence of a virus in the body.

Exudative peritonitis is differentiated from:

• bacterial peritonitis;
• fungal infection;
• toxoplasmosis.

How to treat viral peritonitis?

Unfortunately, treatment for this disease has not been developed at this time; this is largely due to the extent of the damage and the involvement of vital organs in the pathogenic process.

Some veterinarians try to treat by:

• intravenous administration antiviral drugs such as Fosprenil or Enterostat;
• removal of exudate;
• insertion into the abdominal cavity antimicrobials based on iodine.

However, such treatment does not give a positive result.

Prevention of viral peritonitis in cats

Currently, there is only one vaccine in the world produced in America, Primucell FIP.

• Its harmlessness to animal health is not reliably known, therefore many Russian veterinarians are afraid to use it.
• Although there is another category of specialists who are inclined to believe that, provided good content Intranasal (through the nose) use of this vaccine reduces the likelihood of contracting peritonitis to a minimum.

The main one preventative measure To combat the occurrence and spread of viral peritonitis is to observe and maintain cleanliness in the room with periodic disinfection. It is also worth avoiding crowded keeping of cats; in nurseries it is necessary to isolate babies and pregnant cats from other individuals.

Well, indirect measures that are common to prevent any infectious disease:

• strengthening the immune system;
• reducing stress factors that help reduce the likelihood of illness.

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Inflammatory processes in the abdominal cavity are quite common in domestic animals. Reason dangerous illness are pathogenic microorganisms - viruses, bacteria, fungi. Peritonitis of any etiology is associated with a risk to the health and life of a furry pet.

Read in this article

Types of peritonitis in cats

Veterinary specialists distinguish several types of peritonitis in domestic cats, caused by different etiologies:

• Bacterial species. The cause of the development of this form of the disease is the penetration pathogenic microorganisms into the abdominal cavity. This happens when mechanical damage stomach and intestines, due to the growth of neoplasms in the abdominal organs, with injuries to the animal, as a consequence peptic ulcer digestive organs.

Often the reason for penetration pathogenic bacteria microtraumas occur in the peritoneal area when hair balls and hard feces pass through the intestines.

The disease affects young animals up to 1 - 2 years old and older pets aged 10 and older than years. Breeders and veterinarians trace genetic predisposition some cat breeds are susceptible to this virus: Abyssinian, Bengal, Persian, Russian Blue.

This form of pathology has almost 90% death. The risk group includes homeless, weakened animals, as well as pets kept in unsanitary conditions.

• Postoperative peritonitis develops as a result surgical intervention. The form of the pathology can be acute and sluggish. The causes of the disease lie not only in the surgeon’s error, but also depend on the animal’s health at the time of the operation and the presence of concomitant diseases.

The forms of peritonitis are wet and dry. Wet occurs when fluid accumulated in the abdominal cavity becomes infected. This type of pathology is observed in 70% of cases. The dry appearance is an accumulation of foci of infected tissue in the abdominal wall.

Ways of infection with viral and infectious peritonitis

Infection occurs transplacentally (in the womb), as well as through the oral, oral and airborne routes. Coronavirus is easily transmitted from animal to animal. Most common way infection - fecal-oral. The feces of a sick animal, with which the virus enters the body, are especially dangerous. environment in huge quantities.

Animals become infected by eating infected food or water contaminated with viral particles. At high density In keeping cats, airborne infection is possible. Therefore, nurseries, shelters, and specialized institutions are a risk factor.

Why does peritonitis occur after sterilization?

Postoperative peritonitis in pets occurs due to infection of the abdominal cavity during and after surgery. The infection occurs when the rules of asepsis and antisepsis are not followed, or when nearby internal organs are damaged during surgery (intestines, Bladder), upon opening.

It is also possible that the abdominal cavity may become infected during penetration. pathogens through postoperative sutures.

The cause of this form of peritonitis is often surgical errors, both tactical and technical (insufficient sanitation of the abdominal cavity, leaving napkins and other materials in the cavity, incorrectly applied suture).

Inflammation of the peritoneum after sterilization may be a consequence of the development of metabolic disorders, inferiority of tissue regeneration processes.

Ovariohysterectomy of a weakened animal with low immunity, accompanying inflammatory processes in other organs and tissues.

The incubation period of viral pathology ranges from several days to three weeks. Most animals are virus carriers.

Signs of peritonitis in cats

Swiftly developing pathology characterized by the following clinical signs:

• loss of appetite up to complete refusal from feed;
• apathy, lethargy;
• vomiting, diarrhea;
• sudden loss of body weight;
• fever, fever;
• bloating due to fluid accumulation;
• pain when palpating the abdominal cavity;
• pleurisy;
• disorders of the heart, liver and kidneys;
• convulsions, loss of coordination, paralysis of the hind limbs.

In the case of infectious peritonitis, the sick animal experiences eye damage in the form of conjunctivitis. The dry form of viral pathology is characterized by systemic damage to internal organs in the form of granulomatous formations.

How do veterinarians detect peritonitis?

In addition to collecting anamnesis, diagnostics dangerous disease In a specialized institution, veterinary specialists carry out the following methods:

• Clinical examination. A professional physical examination of your pet can help identify the accumulation of exudate in the abdominal cavity.
• Ultrasound and X-ray examination abdominal area will help identify processes of inflammation and the development of granulomatous lesions of internal organs.

• Biopsy, laparoscopy- the most reliable methods for determining the presence of exudate in the abdominal cavity and identifying pathogenic microflora that is the cause of infection.
• Research methods such as full analysis blood, serological, polymerase chain reaction , unfortunately, do not give reliable results.
• Immunohistochemical study material taken from biopsy, allows you to detect granulomatous organ lesions in the dry form of viral peritonitis.

Of no small importance is differential diagnosis. Peritonitis is distinguished, first of all, from ascites, cardiovascular pathologies, injuries, tumors of an oncological nature. Dry peritonitis is differentiated from tuberculosis.

Treatment of peritonitis in cats

Therapeutic measures for the disease are complex. First of all, the sick animal is prescribed painkillers - Baralgin, Spazgan, etc. As recommended by your doctor, you can apply cold compresses to the abdominal area.

Viral

Specific therapy for coronavirus peritonitis in veterinary practice does not exist. Treatment is aimed at prevention bacterial complication, reduction pain syndrome, strengthening immune system. The use of glucocorticoids in the form of prednisolone gives good results. The animal is prescribed immune correctors, vitamins, interferon, immunoglobulins.

To learn about what viral peritonitis is and methods of its treatment, watch this video:

Infectious

At infectious form peritonitis caused by bacilli, the main direction of therapy is antibacterial. Wherein greatest effect achieved by subcutaneous or intravenous administration antibiotics. Drugs from cephalosporin, penicillin group, as well as sulfonamides.

Sukhoi

For the dry form of infectious peritonitis, use antibacterial therapy, painkillers, immunomodulators. To reduce general intoxication organism is prescribed to the animal intravenous injections saline solution, glucose. For cardiovascular symptoms, medications are prescribed to reduce the manifestations of heart failure.

How long do cats with peritonitis live?

Even timely diagnosis dangerous disease gives a dubious prognosis for the life of the animal. As for infectious peritonitis, the mortality rate reaches 90% or higher. At bacterial form The prognosis for the disease is very cautious. According to veterinary statistics, 50% of cats survive with this form of peritonitis, subject to successful treatment.

More favorable prognosis with postoperative peritonitis. As a rule, 30% of sick animals survive with this form of the disease.

Prevention of peritonitis in animals

Veterinary experts recommend following the rules to prevent the development of a dangerous disease:

• Do not allow animals to be kept crowded.
• Limit free range.
• Disinfect the room regularly.
• Follow the norms and rules of feeding.
• Increase immunity.
• Follow recommendations for postoperative care.

Can a person get peritonitis from a sick cat?

Owners of sick animals often ask veterinary specialists about the danger of viral peritonitis for their household. The coronavirus, which causes infection in domestic cats, is completely safe for both humans and other pets.

Peritonitis in domestic cats is a life-threatening disease. There are infectious, viral and postoperative forms of the disease. Treatment is not always effective. The pathology is characterized high level lethality. The sooner you see a doctor, the higher the chances of successful treatment.