Episode 2: FIP Confusers And Unusual Presentations, with a Focus on the UK Cat Population.
How has our understanding of FIP diagnosis evolved now that treatment is widely available?
In this episode, made and shared by The Vet Vault, we explore how the stakes of getting it wrong have changed now that effective treatment is available. You’ll learn how to sharpen your diagnostic edge and avoid expensive detours by recognising FIP mimics that can lead even experienced vets astray. We cover the usual suspects, as well as the rare imposters, and help you decide when it’s safe to treat empirically—and when to hit pause. Our guests will also convince you why POCUS could be the most underused FIP diagnostic tool in your clinic (did someone say ‘dry FIP’? Don’t believe it!)
In 2025 we love treating FIP, just make sure you’re treating the right thing!
We cover:
- How diagnostic thinking for FIP has evolved with antiviral availability
- The balance between diagnostic certainty, cost, and timing of treatment
- Recognising when a non-responsive case probably isn’t FIP
- Common FIP lookalikes: septic peritonitis, lymphoma, histiocytic sarcoma, Bartonella, mycobacteria
- Myocarditis and IMHA in FIP
- How to culture ascitic or pleural fluid to rule out infection
- Using POCUS effectively to hunt for free fluid in “dry” FIP
- When to consider or avoid starting GS treatment
- Low-cost sampling tricks for better diagnostics
About The Vet Vault
There’s a common thread that runs through the stories of the vets who still love what they do after 5 years, 10 years, even 20 – a secret sauce: ENGAGEMENT. The Vet Vault is the perfect place to engage with YOUR veterinary career.
Stay sharp and build confidence in your day-to-day practice with The Vet Vault’s clinical podcasts, delivering practical, up-to-date knowledge straight from the experts. Beyond just information, it’s about insight.
Because it feels good to know your stuff.
(And yes – we talk about more than FIP! Try out this masterclass on Cushing’s disease for a taste of what we do.)
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✔️2 New episodes every week across Medicine, Surgery, and Emergency & Critical Care
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Speakers
Professor Danièlle A. Gunn-Moore
BSc(Hon), BVM&S, PhD, MANZCVS (Feline), FHEA, FRSB, FRCVS, RCVS Specialist in Feline Medicine
Host
Dr Hubert Hiemstra is a practicing veterinarian and host of the Vet Vault and Vet Vault Clinical Podcasts. His veterinary career has spanned 2 decades and 3 continents, including starting and running his own emergency practice for the better part of a decade. When he’s not making podcasts or working in the clinic, he loves to run through the forests of the Sunshine Coast or surfing the warm Queensland waves.
