What is Feline Infectious Peritonitis, or FIP?
FIP is an auto immune disease like FELV and FIV, and it is caused by a type of coronavirus. There is no effective treatment or diagnostic test. FIP may be caused by a mutation of the Feline Enteric Coronavirus (FECV), but no one is sure at this point.

Which cats are at risk?
FIP usually occurs in kittens or young cats who have come in contact with others cats. It is said that households with only one cat are generally free of all coronaviruses. (More cats increases the risk for FIP.) It is a contagious disease (feces may contribute to transmission). So it would only stand to reason that catteries should educate themselves on FIP. It is very elusive - FIP can wipe out an entire cattery, while another cattery may loose one kitten and never see FIP again.

What are some of the symptoms?
Wet: abdomen/chest distended with fluid, enlarged lymph nodes, jaundice, mild anemia, and gastrointestinal
Dry: weight loss, depression, anemia, and fever as well as signs of kidney failure, pancreatic disease, liver failure, neurologic disease or ocular disease and inflammed organs

What can I do to prevent my cat from getting it?
There is a test that can detect a coronavirus, but it cannot tell you if you cat specifically has FIP. There are definitely many issues with this test. Definitely wash thoroughly with disinfecting agents anything that has come in contact with an infected cat.

How about a vaccine?
A vaccine does exist, but there is much disagreement around it. Apparently, there are still many questions about its effectiveness. Many vets will not advise the vaccine.

More Information (Please copy/paste these addresses into a new browser window.)
http://www.thevet.com/vetfip1.htm
http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/ceps/PetColumns/fip97.htm

GENERAL: the ideal Persian should present an impression of a heavily boned, well-balanced cat with a sweet expression and soft, round lines. The large round eyes set wide apart in a large round head contribute to the overall look and expression. The long thick coat softens the lines of the cat and accentuates the roundness in appearance.

HEAD: round and massive, with great breadth of skull. Round face with round underlying bone structure. Well set on a short, thick neck.

NOSE: short, snub, and broad, with "break" centered between the eyes.

CHEEKS: full.

JAWS: broad and powerful.

CHIN: full, well-developed, and firmly rounded, reflecting a proper bite.

EARS: small, round tipped, tilted forward, and not unduly open at the base. Set far apart, and low on the head, fitting into (without distorting) the rounded contour of the head.

EYES: brilliant in color, large, round, and full. Set level and far apart, giving a sweet expression to the face.

BODY: of cobby type, low on the legs, broad and deep through the chest, equally massive across the shoulders and rump, with a well-rounded mid-section and level back. Good muscle tone with no evidence of obesity. Large or medium in size. Quality the determining consideration rather than size.

LEGS: short, thick, and strong. Forelegs straight. Hind legs are straight when viewed from behind.

PAWS: large, round, and firm. Toes carried close, five in front and four behind.

TAIL: short, but in proportion to body length. Carried without a curve and at an angle lower than the back.

COAT: long and thick, standing off from the body. Of fine texture, glossy and full of life. Long all over the body, including the shoulders. The ruff immense and continuing in a deep frill between the front legs. Ear and toe tufts long. Brush very full.

DISQUALIFY: locket or button. Kinked or abnormal tail. Incorrect number of toes. Any apparent weakness in the hind quarters. Any apparent deformity of the spine. Deformity of the skull resulting in an asymmetrical face and/or head. Crossed eyes. For pointed cats, also disqualify for white toes, eye color other than blue. These disqualifications apply to all Persian cats.