Uveitis in Kittens: FIP or Not?

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Cloudy eyes in a kitten can be a warning sign for feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). What happens when the eyes look like FIP and then… the kitten gets better? That clinical tension sits at the heart of our conversation with Hikaru Shiraishi and Drs. Karen Vernau and David Maggs. Their JAVMA article describes “undifferentiated resolving uveitis” in young cats, a syndrome that can mimic FIP associated uveitis at first glance yet improves with symptomatic treatment and careful follow up.

We walk through what uveitis actually is, why it matters so much in kittens, and how a set of real hospital cases pushed the team to look back systematically. You’ll hear how terminology changed the thinking: “idiopathic” implies an exhaustive workup, while “undifferentiated” reflects what clinicians often face in rescue, shelter, and budget limited situations. We also dig into the practical details that can help on the clinic floor, including which ophthalmic signs overlapped between groups and which findings leaned more toward FIP, such as fundic abnormalities and rubeosis iridis.

We also address the realities that make this topic so high stakes: the limits of coronavirus serology, the role of clinical pathology like globulins and bilirubin, and the weight of decisions that can lead to expensive antivirals or even euthanasia. Our biggest takeaway is a clinical mindset shift: FIP diagnosis is a weighted balance of evidence, and a thorough fundic exam plus a willingness to reassess over time can keep you from making a knee jerk call when a kitten might simply need a chance.

If you found this helpful, subscribe for more author behind the scenes conversations, share the episode with a colleague who sees urgent eye cases, and leave us a rating and review. What’s the hardest part of getting a good fundic exam in your practice?

JAVMA article: https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.25.07.0469

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