Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a fatal immune-mediated vasculitis of felids caused by a mutant form of a common feline enteric virus, feline enteric coronavirus. The virus can attack many organ systems and causes a broad range of signs, commonly including weight loss and fever. Regardless of presentation, FIP is ultimately fatal and often presents a diagnostic challenge. In May 2010, a malnourished young adult male mountain lion (Puma concolor) from Kern County, California, USA was euthanized because of concern for public safety, and a postmortem examination was performed. Gross necropsy and histopathologic examination revealed necrotizing, multifocal myocarditis; necrotizing, neutrophilic, and histiocytic myositis and vasculitis of the tunica muscularis layer of the small and large intestines; and embolic, multifocal, interstitial pneumonia. Feline coronavirus antigen was detected in both the heart and intestinal tissue by immunohistochemistry. A PCR for coronavirus performed on kidney tissue was positive, confirming a diagnosis of FIP. Although coronavirus infection has been documented in mountain lions by serology, this is the first confirmed report of FIP.
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1 April 2013
Feline Infectious Peritonitis in a Mountain Lion (Puma concolor), California, USA
Nicole Stephenson,
Pamela Swift,
Robert B. Moeller,
S. Joy Worth,
Janet Foley
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Journal of Wildlife Diseases
Vol. 49 • No. 2
April 2013
Vol. 49 • No. 2
April 2013
FeCV
feline coronavirus
FIP
immunohistochemistry
Mountain Lion