Final answer:
Feline Infectious Peritonitis is a serious, often fatal condition affecting cats characterized by inflammation caused by a mutated feline coronavirus. While there's no cure, recent drug developments offer hope for management of the disease.
Step-by-step explanation:
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is a serious, often fatal viral disease that affects cats. It is characterized by the inflammation of the peritoneum, which is the tissue lining the abdomen. While related to peritonitis in humans, FIP is specific to cats and is caused by a mutation of a feline coronavirus. When infected with this virus, the immune system of the cat reacts in a way that can cause severe inflammation in various organs, leading to the accumulation of fluids within the abdominal or chest cavities. There is currently no cure for FIP, and it is considered a progressive and ultimately lethal illness. The disease is not highly contagious between cats, as the harmful viral mutation typically occurs within individual cats rather than being passed directly from one cat to another. Symptoms of FIP can include weight loss, fever, lethargy, and the buildup of fluid in the abdomen or chest.
Diagnosing FIP can be challenging as there is no simple diagnostic test. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and may include supportive care to improve quality of life. However, because of the severity of the disease, many cats with FIP are ultimately euthanized to relieve their suffering. Recent developments in antiviral drugs have shown promise in treating FIP, but they are not widely available and can be costly.