Motor Disturbance
Ataxia
Changes in behavior, such as increased lethargy, reduced appetite, hiding, or reluctance to interact, can indicate the onset of Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP). Monitor these signs closely to assess your cat’s health.
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Crouched stance
Pathogeny
1.Abdominal Pain
Pathophysiology: FIP can cause significant abdominal discomfort due to inflammation of the abdominal organs and the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity (ascites).
Mechanism: The presence of ascites or inflammation in the abdominal cavity can lead to intense discomfort or pain, prompting the cat to adopt a crouched stance. This position may help alleviate some of the pressure on the abdomen, thereby reducing pain. The crouched posture is often a defensive response to minimize movement and discomfort.
2.Respiratory Distress
Pathophysiology: When FIP involves the thoracic cavity, such as in cases with pleural effusion, respiratory function can be severely impaired.
Mechanism: Fluid accumulation in the thoracic cavity (pleural effusion) can restrict lung expansion, causing difficulty in breathing. The crouched stance is often observed in cats trying to reduce the work of breathing, as this position can help open the airway slightly and improve airflow. This posture is a compensatory mechanism to cope with the respiratory strain.
3.Musculoskeletal Pain
Pathophysiology: FIP may involve inflammation of the joints or muscles, leading to pain and stiffness in the musculoskeletal system.
Mechanism: Cats with musculoskeletal pain due to FIP may adopt a crouched stance to reduce movement and minimize pain. Inflammatory processes affecting the joints, muscles, or spine can cause the cat to hunch its back, as this position may reduce strain on the affected areas.
4.Neurological Involvement
Pathophysiology: FIP can sometimes affect the central nervous system (CNS), leading to various neurological symptoms, including altered posture.
Mechanism: Neurological involvement in FIP, such as meningitis or encephalitis, can result in altered motor function or proprioception, causing the cat to adopt a crouched stance. This abnormal posture may be due to muscle weakness, loss of coordination, or changes in the cat’s ability to perceive and control its body position.
5.Behavioral and Psychological Factors
Pathophysiology: Chronic pain, discomfort, and stress associated with FIP can lead to changes in the cat’s behavior, including its posture.
Mechanism: A cat suffering from the stress and discomfort of FIP may assume a crouched stance as a behavioral response to pain or anxiety. This position may also reflect a state of general malaise or a defensive posture due to the cat feeling unwell. Behavioral changes often accompany chronic illness, and the crouched stance can be an outward sign of the cat’s distress.
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Hind limb paresis
Pathogeny
1.Vasculitis and Inflammation of Blood Vessels
Pathophysiology: FIP often leads to vasculitis, which is the inflammation of blood vessels, affecting the blood supply to the central nervous system (CNS).
Mechanism: The immune-mediated response in FIP causes inflammation of blood vessels in the CNS, leading to reduced blood flow and subsequent ischemia (lack of oxygen) to the spinal cord and peripheral nerves. This ischemia can result in damage to the neural tissue responsible for controlling the hind limbs, leading to weakness or paralysis. The compromised blood supply is a key factor in the development of neurological symptoms in FIP.
2.Granulomatous Meningoencephalitis
Pathophysiology: FIP can cause granulomatous meningoencephalitis, which is the formation of granulomas (inflammatory masses) in the brain and spinal cord.
Mechanism: Granulomatous meningoencephalitis leads to the compression and damage of neural structures within the brain and spinal cord. When these granulomas affect the regions responsible for motor function of the hind limbs, it results in progressive weakness or paralysis. The formation of these granulomas is a direct result of the body’s immune response to the FIP virus, leading to localized inflammation and subsequent neural impairment.
3.Spinal Cord Lesions
Pathophysiology: The neurological form of FIP often involves the formation of lesions along the spinal cord.
Mechanism: These lesions are caused by inflammation and immune-mediated damage to the spinal cord tissue. When these lesions occur in regions of the spinal cord that control the hind limbs, they disrupt the transmission of neural signals, leading to motor deficits such as weakness or paralysis. Spinal cord lesions in FIP can also cause secondary effects such as loss of proprioception (the sense of body position) and coordination, further contributing to the severity of the symptoms.
4.Peripheral Neuropathy
Pathophysiology: FIP can lead to peripheral neuropathy, which is the damage or dysfunction of peripheral nerves.
Mechanism: Peripheral neuropathy in FIP is usually due to the immune-mediated destruction of the peripheral nerves that supply the muscles of the hind limbs. This damage can result in reduced nerve conduction, leading to muscle weakness or paralysis. Peripheral neuropathy can also cause muscle atrophy (wasting) over time, exacerbating the loss of function in the hind limbs.
5.Increased Intracranial Pressure
Pathophysiology: FIP-related inflammation can cause increased intracranial pressure (ICP), which can affect the entire central nervous system.
Mechanism: Increased ICP due to the accumulation of inflammatory fluids or masses within the brain can compress critical areas of the brainstem and spinal cord. This compression can lead to a reduction in neural signal transmission, resulting in motor deficits such as hind limb weakness or paralysis. The increased pressure may also lead to other neurological signs, such as altered consciousness and abnormal reflexes.
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Unsteady Gait
Pathogeny
1.Neurological Impairment
Pathophysiology: FIP can affect the central nervous system (CNS), leading to neurological symptoms.
Mechanism: When FIP invades the CNS, it may cause inflammation of the brain and spinal cord (meningoencephalitis). This inflammation can disrupt the neural pathways responsible for coordinating movement, leading to ataxia, which is a lack of muscle coordination. Damage to the cerebellum or spinal cord can result in an unsteady gait, characterized by a wobbling motion or difficulty in maintaining balance while walking.
2.Vestibular Dysfunction
Pathophysiology: The vestibular system, which controls balance and spatial orientation, can be compromised by FIP.
Mechanism: FIP-associated inflammation may affect the vestibular apparatus, either centrally within the brainstem or peripherally in the inner ear. This can lead to vestibular ataxia, where the cat might exhibit a head tilt, nystagmus (involuntary eye movement), and a loss of balance. These symptoms contribute to a wobbly or unsteady gait, as the cat struggles to maintain equilibrium.
3.Muscle Weakness (Paresis)
Pathophysiology: Systemic inflammation caused by FIP can lead to generalized muscle weakness.
Mechanism: FIP can result in muscle wasting or weakness (paresis) due to chronic inflammation and the body’s immune response. This is especially noticeable in the hind limbs, where weakness can lead to difficulty in supporting the body’s weight, causing the cat to stumble or appear uncoordinated. This muscle weakness may exacerbate the cat’s inability to walk steadily.
4.Peripheral Neuropathy
Pathophysiology: FIP can lead to peripheral nerve damage, impacting motor function.
Mechanism: In some cases, FIP may cause peripheral neuropathy, a condition where the peripheral nerves are damaged. This can disrupt the signals between the brain and muscles, leading to a lack of coordination and control over limb movement. Cats may show signs of stumbling, dragging their hind legs, or an uneven gait as a result of impaired nerve function.
5.Pain and Discomfort
Pathophysiology: FIP can cause pain and discomfort, contributing to mobility issues.
Mechanism: Cats suffering from FIP may experience pain in the joints, muscles, or abdomen due to inflammation or fluid accumulation (ascites). This pain can make walking uncomfortable, leading to a cautious or hesitant gait. The cat may appear to walk unsteadily as it tries to minimize pain or discomfort during movement.
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