BY: SAMANTHA BARTLETT, DVM

The 2022 AAFP/EveryCat Feline Infectious Peritonitis Diagnosis Guidelines was published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery in September 2022.  These guidelines provide information that helps veterinarians diagnoses Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) in cats and were created by the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) and EveryCat Health Foundation. 

FIP is a disease that mostly affects young cats under the age of 2 and is challenging to diagnose and treat. In the past, FIP was considered a terminal disease. In recent years, new research using antivirals has shown promise. However, these products are not legally available in the United States requiring veterinarians to constantly stay up to date on changes to these regulations and availability of new products. 

The guidelines include pathogenesis and history of FIP along with diagnostic tests and differential diagnosis for a cat with suspected FIP. The guidelines stress that because of the variations in presentation of a cat with FIP, it is important to account for the signalment, physical exam and history of a cat along with exclusion of differentials.

The guidelines were developed to be an all-in-one resource to help clinicians diagnose and provide support for animals with FIP. It includes images, algorithms and tips along with supplemental online resources. The guidelines can be accessed at https://catvets.com/guidelines/practice-guidelines/fip-guidelines.