Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) was previously a fatal diagnosis. New antiviral treatments have transformed outcomes, making welfare-focused treatment decisions more complex and more hopeful.
FIP transformation from certain death sentence to treatable condition has been one of the most significant welfare advances in feline medicine of the past decade. Cats with wet FIP accumulate fluid in body cavities causing breathing difficulty and distension; dry FIP causes granulomatous lesions that can affect any organ including the brain. Both forms cause significant suffering if untreated. Antiviral treatment is highly effective but requires sustained administration and monitoring. Owner welfare decisions now involve assessing treatment access, cost, and cat tolerance of extended daily medication — genuinely complex considerations that benefit from veterinary support. Remission is not cure: cats require ongoing monitoring and some relapse after initial treatment. Nevertheless, for most cats with FIP, treatment offers a realistic prospect of return to good quality of life.