Signs and forms of FIP

General signs

• Fever that doesn't settle with usual treatment
• Reduced appetite, weight loss and lethargy
• Yellow gums, skin or eyes (jaundice)
• In young cats, poor growth

“Wet” (effusive) FIP

Fluid builds up in the abdomen, giving a swollen belly, or in the chest or around the heart, which can cause fast or difficult breathing. The wet form often progresses over days to weeks.

“Dry” (non-effusive) FIP

Inflammation affects organs such as the lymph nodes, kidneys, liver, intestines, eyes or brain, usually more gradually, over weeks to months. Many cats show features of both forms, and the form can change over time.

Eye and nerve signs

• Up to about 30% of cats develop neurological signs: wobbliness, seizures, unusual eye movements, tremors or behaviour changes.
• Eye inflammation (uveitis) may show as a change in iris colour, an irregular pupil, cloudiness or reduced vision.

Contact your vet urgently if your cat has difficulty breathing, a seizure, or stops eating. These signs can have many causes, and only a vet can tell what they mean.