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Unfortunately, as many as one out of twenty kittens and cats coming out of shelters can be affected by feline infectious peritonitis. This problem is particularly bad during the annual "kitten season," when the influx of feral kittens can create overcrowding and therefore stress on all animals. Studies have shown that stress can be a key factor in the onset of FIP. Most kittens and cats have already been exposed to the coronavirus, and if not are likely to be exposed when entering a shelter. It is the coronavirus that can mutate into FIP.
The SOCK FIP and UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program websites are designed to provide information that can help shelters manage FIP and other infectious diseases.
ABOUT FIP
Feline infectious peritonitis is a complex disease. To help cat lovers and caregivers understand feline infectious peritonitis, we posed the most commonly asked questions to Dr. Niels C. Pedersen, one of the world's experts on the disease. His answers can be found in a series of articles on the SOCK FIP website here.
Dr. Pedersen has also authored two recent articles on FIP (please be advised these articles may contain graphic images):
A Synopsis of Feline Infectious Peritonitis
Significance of Coronavirus Mutants in Feces and Diseased Tissues of Cats Suffering from Feline Infectious Peritonitis
Dr. Pedersen is the director of the UC Davis Center for Companion Animal Health and the Veterinary Genetics Lab. To learn more about Dr. Pedersen and the CCAH, please click here.
The mission of the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program is:
To advance shelter medicine as a veterinary specialty through research, specialty training and education, and performance of veterinary service in animal shelters
To improve the quality of life of animals in shelters through improvements in veterinary preventive medicine and management of disease.
The Shelter Medicine Program offers a number of services and resources to shelter workers, including:
Diagnostic Services
A Health Portal with information sheets to help shelters manage animal populations and diseases.
Education through classes, lectures, and formal training for shelter workers
Links to other important shelter medicine programs and resources
SHELTER VETERINARIANS AND FIP STUDIES AT UC DAVIS
UC Davis is currently conducting a study of FIP in shelters, and would welcome samples from infected cats to include in the study. Following are links to articles about taking and submitting these samples to UC Davis.
Taking Tissue Samples from FIP Affected Cats
Sending Effusive Fluid Samples
Where to Send Samples
If you need additional information about the study, or assistance with an FIP diagnosis, please contact
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