Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) was once a uniformly fatal diagnosis — new antiviral treatments have transformed outcomes but access remains a critical welfare barrier.
FIP causes intense suffering in young cats whose immune systems mount a destructive inflammatory response. The wet form causes fluid accumulation in the abdomen and chest — cats struggle to breathe and experience significant discomfort. The dry form causes granulomatous lesions in the nervous system, causing seizures, behavioral changes, and progressive neurological decline. The emergence of effective antiviral treatment has transformed FIP from certain death to a treatable disease — yet treatment remains inaccessible for many owners due to cost and regulatory barriers. Cats who could be cured die because owners cannot afford treatment or cannot access licensed medication. This represents a welfare failure driven by regulatory and economic factors.