FIP was historically uniformly fatal in cats. New antiviral treatments have transformed outcomes, but accessing treatment remains a significant welfare challenge for many cats.
FIP was previously a devastating diagnosis that condemned affected cats, typically young and otherwise healthy animals, to a prolonged and painful death. The development of effective antiviral treatment has been transformative, converting FIP from a death sentence to a manageable disease in most cases. However, the welfare landscape remains complicated by cost barriers to treatment and inconsistent availability of licensed medications. Cats whose owners cannot access or afford treatment still face the historically poor prognosis. The expansion of licensed GS-441524 availability and reducing treatment costs are important welfare priorities as the disease disproportionately affects young cats.