Ocorrência de peritonite infecciosa felina no Hospital Veterinário da UFCG: aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos e patológicos.

Abstract

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is a systemic immune-mediated disease caused by feline enteric coronavirus infection that occurs sporadically in young animals, characterized by cause cavitary effusions and generalized granuloma formation, evolving, in most cases, to the death of affected animals. The aim of this work was to study the occurrence of FIP in the Veterinary Hospital (HV) of the Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Patos, Paraiba, characterizing the epidemiological, clinical and pathological aspects. For this, we performed a retrospective survey of all necropsies occurred in the LPA / HV / UFCG during the period 2003-2012, identifying cases of FIP. Subsequently, these cases were isolated and studied in detail. When it was necessary, were also reviewed the clinical records of the cases to complement the information. During this period 352 were performed necropsies of cats, with 3 cases (0.85%) clinical and pathological characteristics of FIP, 1 pet being diagnosed in 2010 and the other two in 2011. All were without standard breed, 2 males and 1 female. The animals were 11 months old, 1 year and 1 year and 6 months, all from the city of Patos-PB. In 2 cases were reported clinical signs. The first case presented apathy, dyspnea mixed type abdominal breathing, increased abdominal size by accumulation of fluid in the cavity, progressing to death within 4 months. Another animal showed aggression, constant vocalization and exaggerated increase appetite, come and died three days later without presenting effusions. In one case it was not possible to obtain information regarding the clinical and macroscopic lesions. In three animals were found characteristic lesions of FIP. The effusive form prevailed in its occurrence, being observed in 2 animals. Gross lesions in the presence of fluid in the abdominal cavity (2 cases), presence of fibrin and whitish nodules in the liver and lung (2 cases), kidney (1 case), mesentery, intestines (1 case) and spleen (2 cases). Microscopically, on two cases characteristic of effusive form of the disease, was observed mainly Pyogranulomatous inflammation with fibrin in the organs affected. The lesions observed in the CNS of a case was characteristic of encephalitis with plexus choroiditis and granulomatous ependymitis. Vasculitis was observed in all cases. We conclude that the FIP is a sporadic disease in routine LPA / HV / UFCG, Patos, Paraiba, representing only 0.83% of the cats necropsied during the study period.