Developing a Vaccine to Help Prevent Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a uniformly fatal disease of cats. FIP is caused by feline infectious peritonitis virus by mutation from feline enteric coronavirus. FECV is highly prevalent in cats worldwide and usually causes only mild or subclinical infection. About 5 to 10 percent of FECV-infected cats will develop FIP. Young cats, particularly those housed with large numbers of other cats, such as in catteries, shelters or rescue groups, are at increased risk for developing the disease. There is no effective treatment for FIP, and despite intensive research efforts, development of an effective FIP vaccine so far has been unsuccessful. Looking for an alternative approach, researchers will explore the efficacy of a novel, noninvasive vaccination strategy in cats against feline enteric coronavirus which, in turn, will help prevent the development of FIP in cats.