The fourth installment of the Cat Virus Series focuses on Feline Coronavirus Infection.
【Feline Coronavirus Infection】
This infection is caused by Feline Enteric Coronavirus (FECV), one of the Feline Coronaviruses (FCoV), and is also known as ‘Feline Enteric Coronavirus Infection‘. The prevalence of FECV in domestic cats is very high, with rates around 40% in wild cats and about 90% in multi-cat households. Therefore, it’s safe to assume that most cats adopted from breeders or pet shops carry FECV.
＜Symptoms＞
In most cases, pathogenic symptoms do not appear. If symptoms do occur, they are usually mild diarrhea.
＜Route of Infection＞
As the virus infects the intestinal tract, it can easily spread through feces and infect via the mouth or nose. Normally, the infection is transient, and antibody levels decrease over time.
＜Diagnosis Method＞
There are two types of tests: antibody tests and PCR tests. Both are conducted by sending samples to a testing center.
＜Treatment＞
Since most FECV cases are asymptomatic, treatment is typically supportive if diarrhea symptoms are present.
＜Precautions＞
In the case of FCoV, it loses infectivity at room temperature within minutes to hours and can usually be inactivated with common alcohol or hypochlorite disinfectants. However, the virus in feces can be protected by proteins in the feces and remain resistant in the environment for 3 to 7 weeks. Therefore, frequent cleaning and disinfection of living environments, litter boxes, and dishes are important.
＜Prevention＞
As there is no vaccine to prevent Feline Coronavirus, avoiding contact with infected cats is the best prevention. However, given the high prevalence in domestic cats, avoiding contact with infected cats can be challenging. Prior testing to confirm negativity before bringing a new cat into the home and keeping cats indoors can help reduce the risk. Additionally, humans may transmit the virus to cats, so after contact with an infected cat, change clothes, disinfect hands (or ideally shower), before touching your own cat.
＜Relationship with Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)＞
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is also a type of Feline Coronavirus (FCoV). It is believed FECV can mutate into Feline Infectious Peritonitis Virus (FIPV) under certain conditions, leading to the development of FIP. For more information on FIP, please refer to this page.
● For information on FIP treatment methods, please refer to this page.
