勇敢力抗FIP(猫科传染性腹膜炎)
by宠物营养师苏菁菁M.Sc., RD, MAAVN
(欢迎转载,但请列明资料来自本网页http://www.oic.hk/article_FIP1.htm )
相信大多数猫主都会闻FIP色变,因为大家都认为这是种绝症。 事实上,一只患上FIP的猫猫一旦病发,致命率通常是100%! 难到我们对于FIP真的那么束手无策吗? 其实只要我们了解到只有免疫力减弱的猫猫才会患上FIP,我们就能扶猫猫一把,力抗FIP!
预防远远胜于治疗
FIP的传染性之所以那么高是因为这种病毒往往在猫只感染的最初期(1-10日)到处散播。 但这段期间,猫只很可能还没有任何明显病征,以致主人并未设施隔离,家里其他猫成员也很可能在此时受病毒入侵了。 所以请各位猫主(特别是家里猫只多的)随时都要尽力保持猫猫的免疫力在最佳状态,以免FIP病毒有机可乘.以下提供一些防御FIP的有效方法:
? 给猫只充足的营养:尽量提供一些用料天然及没有任何化学添加的粮食和补给品(特别是维他命C),让猫猫的健康状况良好,百病不侵。
? 保持猫只生活环境清洁卫生: FIP病毒生命力顽强,在一般猫只日常接触的地方,如地板,沙盘,和食具等,都能生存达3至6星期之久.幸好一般消毒剂(如漂白水)都足以杀死这种病毒。 所以要避免猫只之间互相传染,便要勤于清洁及消毒。
? 适当地隔离:如家里有新的猫成员加入,请先将它和其他猫成员隔离。 待7-10日后,若新成员都没有任何可疑病征,才可消除隔离。 至于刚出生的幼猫,除了猫妈妈和同胎的兄弟姐妹外,最好与其他猫猫隔离。 直到它们至少有60天大,免疫系统较为完善时才与其他猫猫say “hello”。
? 在有必要时远离防疫注射:如你怀疑家里的猫猫已感染FIP (或猫猫已证实患有此病),就请你千万不要再带它去接受防疫注射。 虽然这做法与传统兽医学背道而驰,但动物在接受疫苗注射后的确会出现一段暂时性的免疫低潮期。 这就能解释为何不少本来只是FIP带菌者的猫猫在接受防疫注射(尤其是FeLV)的数星期里病发。
知己知彼,正面对应虽然未必百战百胜,但我们仍需了解FIP真正致命的原因才能有效地抑制它-猫只死于FIP ,并不是直接因为病毒扩散,而是由于猫只本身对病毒的抗体反应过剩。 可能用以下的比喻来解释会比较容易理解:
猫只的身体与健康:一座大宅
FIP病毒:一群非常凶狠的侵略者
细胞介导性免疫(Cell-mediated Immunity):这座大宅最前线的守卫
体液免疫(Humoral Immunity)及其制造的抗体:大宅里面的情报员,负责识别入侵者,让守卫处决,但本身却无力对付敌人
当FIP这群侵略者要冲入猫猫大宅时,如前线的守卫够森严及勇猛,便能阻止它们,大宅也因此不会有任何损伤。 但若前线守卫弱不禁风, FIP侵略者们便能轻易地侵入大宅。 这时,大宅里的情报员被惊动了。 它们识别入侵者的方法便是冲上去抱住它们,然后通知前门的守卫进来把敌人处决。 但耐何前线的守卫都自身难保,根本没法帮忙赶杀屋里的侵略者。 这时,紧抱侵略者的情报员已决定和它们同归于尽,也不理会混乱与激战中,大宅已被破坏得摇摇欲坠,最终倒塌。
所以,要有效地抑制FIP的病情以免猫猫送命,除了要抑制猫只本身抗体反应过剩外,一定要想办法大大地强化细胞介导性免疫系统。 传统FIP治疗,即采用糖皮质激素(Glucocorticoid)和细胞毒性药物(Cytotoxic Agents) ,虽能控制抗体过剩及防治发炎,却未能提升猫猫最前线的免疫能力。 在外国,近年有不少全机能性(holistic)兽医都以顺势疗法(Homeopathy) ,加上天然免疫疗法(Natural Immunotherapy)来抑制FIP,成效很不错。
传统与另类疗法的分别上期提过,到现时为止,传统的FIP疗法(即采用类固醇激素、细胞毒性药物、及抗生素等)都只能暂时控制病情或稍微延长猫猫的性命,但却说不上能有效地对付FIP。 所以,如要力抗FIP,一方面要抑制猫只的过敏抗体反应,另一方面却要强化担当最前线守卫的细胞免疫系统(Cell-mediated Immunity)。 近年来,有部份外国全机能性(Holistic)兽医发现原来以顺势疗法(Homeopathy),配合天然免疫疗法(Natural Immunotherapy),正能与以上攻略吻合。 但奈于本港暂时还未有以顺势疗法为动物诊治的兽医,笔者选择于本文介绍大家在家里也可为猫猫进行的天然免疫疗法。
什么是"天然免疫疗法"?
"天然免疫疗法"其实就是以天然的物质或方法(如饮食治疗)去加强动物本身的免疫系统,令其发挥最佳功效。 还记得上期提及过猫只的免疫系统分为两队:位于最前线的守卫--细胞免疫系统,及位于后卫的情报员--体液免疫系统吗?直至近期,大多数人都过份着重提升后卫免疫系统的能力(如视疫苗注射为救星),但却忽略了强化前线防卫免疫的重要性。 这可谓是"妹仔大过主人婆"呢!相反,"天然免疫疗法"则把身体最前线的细胞性介导免疫系统放回第一位。
营养性天然免疫疗法没有充足及适当的营养,身体的免疫系统根本无力作出任何反击。 通常患上FIP的猫只都会胃口欠佳,所以你一定要想尽办法,鼓励它进食和喝水(如给它平时最喜欢的罐头粮)。 若它每次只吃得下少量食物,那就少食多餐,每隔2-3个钟头喂它一次(除了深夜,因你和它都需要休息)。 也因食量减少,高品质的猫只综合维他命对FIP猫只是不可缺少的。
维他命C的治疗功效和人类不一样,其实猫狗身体里面都能自制维他命C。 但随着疾病,身体机能老化等不利因素,维他命C的制造量便会减少。 维他命C其实是种非常有效的抗氧化剂,能帮助身体增强抵抗力,排毒,助长骨胶原等。 所以每当处于病患,压力,或污染的情况下,额外的维他命C能提升身体对这些侵袭者的防御能力,尤其当猫猫面对的是FIP, FeLV和FIV这些顽强病毒。
致力研究维他命及矿物质补充的美国著名兽医Dr. Wendell O. Belfield曾于他的研究中成功地于两年的限期里面,以他研制的维他命C补充剂治好了至少50只患有FIP, FeLV或FIV的猫只。 以下是他为患上以上病症的猫只的维他命C的建议喂食份量:
幼猫( <5星期大)
每日20mg - 50mg,分开2次喂
幼猫( 5星期至6个月大)
每日100mg - 250mg,分开2次喂
幼猫( >6个月大)
每日500mg - 750mg,分开2次喂
怀孕中的母猫
每日750mg - 1000mg,分开2次喂
由于喂食份量高,选购维他命C时请购买标签背后写着"Sodium Ascorbate"或"Calcium Ascorbate"的维他命C (因这两种维他命C性质温和,pH=7.6),否则猫猫的肠胃会受不了。 若找不到以上产品,可到药房或健康食品店铺购买人吃的"Ester-C" (它同样的酸碱度适中),将它压成粉状,混入湿粮中或开水以针筒喂服就可以了。除了维他命C,其它有助于提升猫只最前线的免疫战斗力的维他命与矿物质有:维他命E,锌(Zinc),和硒(Selenium)等。
灵芝对FIP的独特功效很多人都知道灵芝对提升人体的免疫能力有帮助,甚至能抗癌。 其实,这种古老的珍贵菌类草药,对猫狗也具同样功效。 研究指出,灵芝中的多糖体及特殊有机锗成份能增加防御性的杀手细胞,有效地强化最前线的免疫能力。 另一方面,灵芝里的三帖类却能调节或降低后卫的抗体过敏反应。 这正合乎对抗FIP的有效攻略!可是,在市面上的灵芝产品各式其式(有鲜灵芝,灵芝精华,灵芝孢子等),很难在这里告诉大家准确的喂食份量(粗略成猫的服用量是人的1/4)。 最好的方法是向有中药研究的兽医请教。
预防还是远胜于治疗虽然某些患上FIP的猫只经过天然免疫治疗后或能保住性命,或变成无病征的带菌者(少数甚至康复),笔者还是要再三叮嘱,千万不要冒险-预防胜于治疗啊!
作者网址: http://www.oic.hk
email: ching2@oic.hk
(本文作者保留一切版权)
这是相关国际网站的介绍, 领养人哭着说是FIPV
Feline Infectious Peritonitis
By Chick Newman, Ph.D, DVM 1
Causes , Clinical Disease , Diagnosis , Treatment , Control
I. Causes
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is caused by a coronavirus that can infect any cat, though young cats and very old cats (14yr and up) appear most susceptible. The FIP virus (FIPV) is very similar to the coronavirus that causes a transient, usually mild, self-limiting diarrhea (Feline Enteric Corona Virus, FECV). In fact, there is some evidence that FECV can mutate to FIPV in some individuals. This means that even an indoor-only cat in a single-cat household may, in theory, develop this disease. Indeed, there is now belief that mutation from FECV to FIP is the most probable means of acquiring FIP! There is some research information concerning the topic of transmission, (as well as diagnosis, vaccination, etc.) presented at a relatively recent conference .
Though still debatable, it appears unlikely that the virus can be passed to unborn kittens or via the milk to newborns. Some apparently healthy cats may carry the virus which can be shed intermittently in bodily fluids or feces, with feces being the most common source of oral infection (which is considered an uncommon means of infection). Interestingly, and most likely due to the primarily mutational mechanism of acquired FIP actual mortality from environmental exposure to the virus (i.e from animals shedding virus) is sporadic, even in a population of cats where FIPV- carriers are known to be present.
II. Clinical Disease
The type and development of disease is quite complex and, in large part, dependent on the status of the animal’s immune system. In some instances, the immune system’s response to infection may actually worsen the clinical signs. In the Effusive Form of the disease there is accumulation of substantial quantities of fluid in body cavities (abdomen and chest). Some of these animals appear profoundly "pot-bellied", while the Dry Form of the disease does not present this way. In both forms, clinical signs can be quite variable; virtually any organ or soft tissue system can become affected, thus mimicking many diseases. The most common clinical signs are non-specific and include fluctuating fever, inappetance, lethargy and weight loss. Sometimes, if the central nervous system is affected, neurological abnormalities are apparent.
III Diagnosis
Routine Labwork:
May show a profile consistent with (but not specific for) FIP. The presence of a "typical" FIP profile coupled with "typical" clinical signs provides a strong index of suspicion for the presence of the disease.
Fluid Cytology:
In the Effusive Form of the disease, body cavity fluid analysis can provide useful information with high predictive value for the presumptive diagnosis of FIP infection. Similarly, when neurological abnormalities are present, analysis of cerebral spinal fluid can produce findings strongly supporting the presence of this disease.
Histopathological Examination:
Histological examination (microscopic evaluation of tissue samples) of affected organs is the most specific of all the available tests for the definitive diagnosis of FIP.
Serum Antibody Tests (Elisa, IFA, AGI, PH):
This is an area of considerable controversy among veterinarians. In the past it was assumed that a high level of antibody to the FIPV along with signs of the disease (which may or may not be specific) was diagnostic for active FIPV infection. We now know that is NOT true:
The antibody tests for FIPV also test for antibodies to FECV, i.e. any
a) cat exposed to any feline corona virus may test "positive" or even "strongly positive".
b) cats given FIPV vaccine may also test positive.
The antibody tests for FIPV may be negative in FIP-positive cats, because
a) The immune system components may actually be involved in the progression of the disease and be "consumed" in the disease process.
b) Early in disease—there is not enough time to develop antibodies.
Some animals are immune-suppressed from concurrent diseases (e.g. feline AIDS).
c) Antibody levels fluctuate up and down, seemingly in random fashion, in either FIPV or FECV infected cats. There is NO SPECIFIC PATTERN!
d) More recent research concerning the disease, including the use/misuse of serum serology to diagnose FIP is presented here.
PCR Test ("Polymerase-Chain Reaction")
This tests for the presence of virus…not antibody. Suffice it to say that at the time of this publication, this test also does not distinguish FECV from FIPV.
IV. Treatment
At present, there is no specific treatment for FIP! As there appears to be an immune-mediated component to the progression and severity of the disease, some have tried immune-suppressive and/or immune-modulating drugs. Some antiviral drugs alone or in combination with immune modulators are being investigated. Promising results for remission in non-effusive FIP utilizing immunosuppresive drugs and human recombinant interferon have been reported in the October issue of Compendium on Continuing Education 19: 1111, 1997. Massive doses of interferon may help some severely debilitated cats...though effusive FIP has been much more difficult to treat.
V. Control
A recent discussion of husbandry practices in multicat households and catteries to limit exposure and disease from feline corona viruses appears in the Compendium of Continuing Education: 19: 1111, 1997. A photocopy of the recommendations in the journal can be viewed now if you have an Adobe Acrobat Reader integrated with your browser. To see the image, click here! However, keep in mind...as environmental exposure to FIP from shedding animals appears to represent a minor or inconsequential source of acquired FIP, the measures outlined by that publication to eradicate or to minimize prevalence of the virus and FIP infection within the population may need to be revised.
Vaccine:
There is an FDA approved intranasal (drops) vaccine available for cats who are at least 16 weeks old. Initially, two doses are given separated by three weeks; thereafter an annual booster is required.
The extent of protection provided by the vaccine, according to the manufacturer, is claimed to be 50% to 70%, but there are independent studies which question whether the vaccine is beneficial. One older (1992) study, from Cornell University, showed that vaccine-induced antibody resulted in enhancement of the the disease! Several anecdotal reports of cats dieing from FIP within weeks of vaccination are published (albeit not considered scientific proof of cause & effect).
The vaccine will not help a cat that is currently infected or recently exposed to FIPV (or FECV). Therefore, there is NO POINT in vaccinating a cat that already has a corona virus antibody titer or has been exposed to other infected cats.
Risk:
The risk of acquired FIP is small even in cat populations with proven FIP infection. Risk of exposure is, nevertheless, greatest in enclosed multicat facilities and much less via casual contact with neighboring cats. The least risk is in the single, indoor-only cat.
Premises:
The virus may persist in the environment for several weeks, but is easily killed with common household disinfectants. However, consider that cats with clear symptoms of FIP infection are rarely shedding virus. |