Coronavirus is a term used to describe an infection caused by different strains of this virus but different animal species are affected by different types of coronaviruses. Knowing what type of coronavirus a cat can get and what you can do to keep your cat safe is important.
→ What Is Coronavirus Infection In Cats?
Feline coronavirus (FCoV) is a viral disease that causes diarrhea in cats but can also lead to a more serious disease called feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). Because of the risk for developing FIP, feline coronavirus is a concerning virus.
Signs of Coronavirus in Cats
- Diarrhea
- Bloated abdomen
- Difficulty breathing
- Lethargy
- Weight loss
- Lack of appetite
- Yellowing of skin and/or eyes
- Increased thirst
- Increased urination
- Vomiting
Occasionally feline coronavirus can cause severe diarrhea in a cat but it is most often a very mild form if it isn’t the strain associated with FIP.
In cats with the strain of feline coronavirus that can cause FIP though, there are more severe symptoms. A decrease in activity and appetite are not uncommon in any cat that isn’t feeling well and if left untreated, a cat with coronavirus may begin to lose weight and vomit. FIP can cause fluid accumulation in the abdomen and chest so if the coronavirus caused a wet form of this disease, a cat will have a bloated abdomen or potentially difficulty breathing. Finally, if FIP from a coronavirus has caused organ damage, yellowing of the skin and eyes may occur if the liver is affected and an increase in thirst and urination may be seen if the kidneys are compromised.
Causes of Coronavirus in Cats
Different strains of feline coronavirus can cause this disease in cats and researchers are not positive on the exact route of transmission. They know it is spread from cat to cat, but this spreading could be through feces, saliva, and even urine, making it highly contagious between cats.
Diagnosing Coronavirus Infection in Cats
After a full history is obtained and a physical examination is performed on your cat by a veterinarian, a fecal sample will be collected to screen for parasites, bacterial and toxin overgrowth, and other microscopic reasons for the diarrhea to occur.
Blood tests and X-rays may also be performed if the disease is severe enough to rule out other diseases or look for changes that may indicate the cat has FIP. If the FIP form of coronavirus is suspected and excessive amounts of fluid are present in a cat’s abdomen or chest, a sample of the fluid may also be obtained in order to run a special test for FIP. Overall, it is difficult to get a definitive diagnosis of coronavirus due to inaccurate test results and the inability to differentiate between different strains of coronavirus that will or will not cause FIP. Because of this, diagnosis is typically made based on the cat’s symptoms.
Treatment of Coronavirus in Cats
Coronavirus that causes diarrhea is simply treated symptomatically using medications and supplements to firm up the stool but coronavirus that causes FIP is not able to be treated as easily. There is no cure for FIP, so symptoms are managed as long as the cat’s quality of life is still good.
How to Prevent Coronavirus Infection in Cats
Since coronavirus in cats is very contagious, it is important to keep your cats away from cats that have it. If your cat has coronavirus, you should also refrain from bringing in any new cats until it has passed away and dispose of everything that cat used, especially litter boxes, before getting a new one. It can be very difficult to get rid of the virus from an environment, especially if multiple cats had it, since no one knows for sure how it is spread.
A vaccine for FIP is available for cats but its use and effectiveness is controversial. Discuss the pros and cons of this vaccine with your veterinarian.
Is Feline Coronavirus Contagious to People?
Feline coronavirus is not the same type of coronavirus that causes respiratory issues in humans. These are different strains of the virus and there is no evidence that cats can get the human respiratory coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2, formerly called 2019-nCoV that causes COVID-19) or that a cat can give coronavirus to a person.
Write comment below to us about coronavirus infection? Your cat was sick with this virus? How did you treat your cat from coronavirus infection?
A source: Thesprucepets.com
Hello, what is the treatment for the coronavirus disease?
Hello, Elizabeth
There is no specific treatment for disease caused by a novel coronavirus. However, many of the symptoms can be treated and therefore treatment based on the clinical condition your cat. Moreover, supportive care for infected cats, you have to do highly effective.