Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) was historically a fatal disease causing severe suffering in young cats. New antiviral treatments have transformed the prognosis and welfare outcomes for affected cats.
FIP historically caused immense suffering — a progressive, painful disease with no effective treatment that killed young cats over weeks to months. The discovery that antiviral nucleoside analogues could induce remission in most cases represented one of the most significant welfare advances in feline medicine in decades. Cats diagnosed today who receive treatment have a high probability of full recovery and normal lifespan. The remaining welfare challenge is access — treatment costs remain high, and not all owners can afford or access treatment, leaving some cats to experience the disease's full progression.