Feline coronavirus

Feline coronavirus ( FCoV ) is a cat (Felis spp.) Infestation Alpha Corona virus ( Coronaviridae ). Originally it was assumed that two different coronaviruses occur in cats.

The highly virulent form caused the feline infectious peritonitis and was called since its discovery in 1968 as feline infectious peritonitis virus ( FIPV ). Its assignment to the coronaviruses has been recognized since the late 1970s.

A resembling the FIPV, but only subclinical or mild enteric infections eliciting virus was described in 1981. It was initially called Felines enteral coronavirus ( FECV ). FECV infections are common and occur worldwide. Most susceptible are kittens at the age of six to twelve weeks. The FECV infection is reflected in slight diarrhea and vomiting. The treatment is aimed at eliminating the drying out, usually by administering adequate fluids ( isotonic saline), possibly infusions.

In 1987, Pedersen on the hypothesis that FECV and FIPV be a virus and differ only in their virulence. 1998 succeeded his team to prove that the FIPV merely a mutation of the FECV represents ( Vennema, H. et al. ). From 2000, the term feline coronavirus (FCoV ) sat by designation as a pathogen.