Which virus is associated with chronic diarrhea?

Which virus is associated with chronic diarrhea?

• A. Feline Infectious Peritonitis
• B. Canine Parvovirus
• C. Feline Leukemia Virus
• D. Rabies

Answer: (A)

Chronic diarrhea in cats can be caused by feline infectious peritonitis because this disease results from a mutated feline coronavirus that drives granulomatous inflammation in multiple organs, including the gastrointestinal tract. When the intestinal walls and surrounding tissues are infiltrated by granulomas, malabsorption and persistent loose stools can occur, leading to long-standing diarrhea even as the cat remains otherwise fairly bright. This GI involvement distinguishes FIP from other viral infections: canine parvovirus virus typically causes an acute, severe enteritis with sudden onset and rapid deterioration; rabies affects the nervous system rather than the gut; feline leukemia virus can cause a range of signs from immune suppression to neoplasia, but chronic diarrhea isn’t its defining feature. Thus, the association of a coronavirus-induced systemic disease with chronic GI signs makes feline infectious peritonitis the best answer.

Chronic diarrhea in cats can be caused by feline infectious peritonitis because this disease results from a mutated feline coronavirus that drives granulomatous inflammation in multiple organs, including the gastrointestinal tract. When the intestinal walls and surrounding tissues are infiltrated by granulomas, malabsorption and persistent loose stools can occur, leading to long-standing diarrhea even as the cat remains otherwise fairly bright. This GI involvement distinguishes FIP from other viral infections: canine parvovirus virus typically causes an acute, severe enteritis with sudden onset and rapid deterioration; rabies affects the nervous system rather than the gut; feline leukemia virus can cause a range of signs from immune suppression to neoplasia, but chronic diarrhea isn’t its defining feature. Thus, the association of a coronavirus-induced systemic disease with chronic GI signs makes feline infectious peritonitis the best answer.