WHAT IS CORONA VIRUS? Corona viruses are viruses that cause diseases in mammals such as humans and birds. It causes respiratory infections that are not serious in humans but have a risk of death. In cows and pigs, diarrhea causes upper respiratory diseases in chickens. Known types include MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV and 2019-nCoV. It is an RNA virus found in animal families from the Coronaviridae family. The virus, which affects the respiratory, digestive and excretory organs, is more active in spring and autumn. In fact, the Corona virus is a virus that cats often encounter. There is almost no risk of being lethal without being mutated. The virus passes from cat to cat through contact, and the way to spread is usually feces. Almost half of the cats encounter this virus once in their lives. This rate increases even more in places where cats live collectively. In diagnostic tests, the metabolic substances [antibody level (titer level)] created by the metabolism of cats against the virus can be measured. Symptoms are usually fever, diarrhea and weakness. But up to a hundred percent of cats can overcome the disease of this virus. The spread of the virus is usually “defecation> contact with feces> hair licking”. Although it is a small possibility, the airway is also among the transmission routes. This disease of corona virus, which is easily survived by cats, turns into deadly FIP when the virus mutates. According to scientific opinions, Corona virus turns into FIP virus in 2% to 10% ratio (FIPV). The science of virology about how this mutation is realized cannot provide precise data. Thus, 92% -98% of trapped cats overcome the disease with simple symptoms, whereas in the rest, the disease turns into lethal FIP. The FIP virus, the mutated version of the Corona virus, causes FIP disease. WHAT ARE THE CORONAVIRUS SYMPTOMS? Loss of appetite and weight Fire Weakness and stagnation Swelling of the abdominal area Vision problems, watery eyes, and color change in the eye Respiratory problems and flu Balance problems Change in general psychological state, unhappy expression HOW IS CORONA VIRUS (CORONAVIRUS) DIAGNOSED? The diagnosis cannot be made precisely, except for autopsy. However, reliability will increase for each of the multiple tests. The most commonly used tests are blood tests: Blood test: This test looks for molecules related to Corona virus in the blood. In the test, if the titer level is above 3.200, it is the cause of suspected disease. However, the test should be repeated after a certain period of time due to the fluctuation in blood values. In addition, the test gives information about whether the cat is infected with the Corona virus, that is, it does not inform whether the virus has mutated or whether it has FIP. Elisa test *: A type of blood test RT-PRC test *: Stool and intraoral mucosa test FA test *: Test for fluid accumulating in tissue and abdomen Examination of water accumulating in the abdomen: In wet FIP (see: types of disease), it examines the fluid accumulated in the abdomen. The reason for suspicion is that the protein content in the liquid exceeds 35 g / L and albumin / globulin is greater than 50%. The fluid accumulated in the abdomen due to the disease is characteristically viscous, yellow and cloudy. X-ray and ultrasound: It is used to determine the fluid and area accumulated in the abdomen. Autopsy: It is performed for definitive diagnosis after the cat dies. The aim may be to determine the risk status of cats that live with the deceased cat. CORONAVIRUS TYPES The virus that settles on the red blood cells envelops the whole body. It collapses the immune system. It has two types: Efuziv FIP: This form, characterized by effusions, is more lethal and causes more discomfort to the cat. It causes fluid to accumulate in the abdomen and tissues by deformation it makes in the blood vessels. Since there is pressure on the lung, this fluid can be taken in between. Non Efuziv FIP: It is the type of the disease that progresses more slowly than the effusive form and is more difficult to observe. Symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, poor hair color, unfolding of the nose color. The diagnosis is difficult to make, as the symptoms develop slowly and are relatively mild. It can also cause eye damage. IS THERE CORONAVIRUS TREATMENT? There is no cure for the disease. However, immune system enhancers, interferons, vitamin cures (especially vitamin C), antibiotic support are among the most important treatment tools.
