I have been told that the symptoms are like those of cats, but hope
to learn more later when I am more able to do so, ***so I looked up
the symptoms in cats in case that helps anyone.*** Some are sure to
be symptoms seen with other illnesses as well.

Specimens from such individuals are under study in the Ferret Pathology
Project at Michigan State. Dr. Matti Kiupel is the individual to
contact, and I can pass on that contact info, though I think that it
is also in the archives.

from
http://www.animalhealthchannel.com/fip/symptoms.shtml

which is very clearly written on FIP symptoms in cats:

It says that it is at first asymptomatic in cats then it begins
replicating in the throat, lungs, stomach and intestine:
BEGIN QUOTE
During this time, cats may display the symptoms of a mild upper
respiratory infection: sneezing, watery eyes, and nasal discharge.

Others give the appearance of having an intestinal problem: diarrhea,
weight loss, and lethargy. Many cats have nonspecific symptoms:
intermittent loss of appetite, depression, rough hair coat, weight
loss, and fever.
END QUOTE

Wet FIP causes fluid accumulation of the sort we ferret people are used
to thinking of in relation to cardiomyopathy, and sometimes with other
things like kidney disease or lymphoma. A water balloon belly or pot
belly may happen if the fluid accumulated in the abdomen, or if the
fluid accumulates in the thorax then it may become very hard for the
animal to breathe. In addition:

BEGIN QUOTE
The lining of the affected cavity, along with the liver and spleen,
becomes coated with white, fibrinous matter. Some lymph nodes may be
enlarged.
Other signs include:
Gastrointestinal and eye ulcers
Jaundice
Mild anemia
Neurological abnormalities
Severe conjunctivitis
END QUOTE

Dry FIP develops slowly in cats without pronounced fluid accumulation.
Common symptoms include weight loss, anemia, fever, and depression.
Young cats may have thier growth stunted. Also:

BEGIN QUOTE
Other symptoms depend on the organs affected:
Increased water consumption and urination (kidneys)
Jaundice (liver)
Vomiting and/or diarrhea (pancreas)
Ocular inflammation, conjunctivitis, and blindness (eyes)
Brain inflammation, paralysis in the hind legs, weakness, shaking,
vertigo, seizures, and personality changes (central nervous system)
The affected organs often develop a characteristic pyogranulomatous
inflammation, in which the diseased tissue becomes thickened with
an accumulation of white blood cells. The only definitive way to
diagnose this form of FIP is by postmortem biopsy of the lesions.
END QUOTE

Sukie (not a vet)
Current FHL address:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth
People can join there or can send a blank mail to the automated
joining address:
[log in to unmask]
and then follow the directions.
(The second is recommended for those having problems with Yahoogroups
web settings, and afterward send a blank mail from your subscribed
address to
[log in to unmask]
to get the digest instead of individual mails. )
Recommended ferret health links:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/
http://www.ferretcongress.org/

[Posted in FML 5466]