Feline Infectious Peritonitis was previously a death sentence for affected cats. Antiviral treatments have transformed outcomes, raising welfare implications for diagnosis and access.
The emergence of effective FIP treatment represents a transformative welfare improvement for a disease that previously caused death in young cats after significant suffering. The welfare implications extend beyond treatment efficacy to include access equity — the high cost of licensed treatment creates a two-tier system where financial capacity determines whether an affected cat lives or dies. Veterinarians face ethical challenges around discussing unlicensed drug options with owners who cannot afford licensed treatment. Early diagnosis requires clinical suspicion and appropriate diagnostic testing, as FIP can present with diverse clinical signs. Welfare during treatment requires careful monitoring of side effects and quality of life assessment throughout the 84-day protocol. Cats achieving remission require ongoing monitoring as relapses can occur, particularly in neurological FIP cases.