With the new coronavirus making news as it spreads to humans in China and beyond, there are concerns about infections of our pets. So far, cats appear resistant to the human virus spreading across the world, and there is currently no major cause for concern.
“Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people,” reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Feline coronavirus infections are complicated. From a minor viral infection with mild diarrhea or a totally asymptomatic case, the disease may progress to the often-fatal feline infectious peritonitis (FIP).
Symptoms of FIP include: fever that is not responsive to antibiotics, lethargy, poor appetite, accumulation of fluid in body cavities, and neurological signs. If your cat is showing any of these symptoms, you should schedule a visit with your veterinarian.n
