While effective antiviral treatments for feline infectious peritonitis now exist, access barriers including cost and regulatory status mean many cats still die from a now-treatable disease.
The existence of effective treatments for FIP has transformed the disease from a death sentence into a manageable condition, but access barriers mean many cats still die unnecessarily. Financial barriers are the most significant: at $3,000-10,000 per course, many owners cannot afford treatment regardless of their desire to help their cat. In countries without licensed products, owners must navigate grey-market suppliers with uncertain quality control, creating anxiety about whether their cat is receiving the correct drug at the correct concentration. The stress of watching a young cat decline rapidly, combined with urgent financial and logistical decisions, creates significant owner welfare impacts alongside the animal welfare crisis. Regulatory reform to approve licensed affordable FIP antivirals in all markets would be one of the most impactful single policy changes for cat welfare globally.