Protecting Cats from a Deadly Virus

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a uniformly fatal disease of cats. Despite persistent efforts by researchers, no effective therapy or vaccine exists to treat or prevent this disease. Studies show a common intestinal virus, feline enteric coronavirus (FECV), can mutate and cause FIP. Some cats develop persistent FECV infections and continuously shed and spread the virus; other cats are able to naturally eliminate FECV from their systems. Researchers will study cats with a protective immune response to FECV, and use this new data to assess the feasibility of developing an FECV vaccine as a way to prevent FIP. Vaccination would be especially useful in situations where cats have a higher incidence of FECV and risk of developing FIP, such as shelters, catteries and animal sanctuaries.