FIP is a devastating disease caused by a mutated coronavirus that was historically nearly always fatal but is now treatable with antivirals.
FIP causes severe inflammation affecting multiple organs, causing pain, weight loss, fluid accumulation, and neurological signs. Before the development of antiviral treatment, FIP was a death sentence for affected cats. Access to treatment remains challenging due to regulatory status and cost. The suffering of FIP-affected cats is profound, and expanded access to effective treatment would prevent enormous amounts of preventable suffering.