Feline infectious peritonitis was once a universally fatal diagnosis, but antiviral treatments have transformed outcomes for many cats, representing a major advance in feline welfare.
The development of effective antiviral treatment for FIP represents one of the most significant recent advances in feline medicine. A disease that was previously a death sentence — watched helplessly as cats deteriorated over weeks — can now be treated with genuine hope of remission. The transformation in welfare outcomes is dramatic: cats that would have died in suffering can now recover to full health. Access to treatment varies by country due to licensing status, and cost can be prohibitive, but advocacy for affordable access is a genuine welfare priority.