The development of antiviral treatments for FIP has transformed a uniformly fatal disease into a treatable condition, representing one of the most significant feline welfare advances in decades.
Before effective antiviral treatment, FIP caused deaths that combined the misery of chronic illness with the anguish of an untreatable prognosis. Cats with wet FIP accumulated fluid in their abdomen or chest over weeks, becoming increasingly breathless and uncomfortable before death. Owners watched their cats deteriorate knowing nothing could be done. The availability of effective treatment has transformed this experience - cats that would have died within weeks now recover and live normal lives. The remaining welfare challenge is access: treatment costs remain prohibitive for many owners, and some cats still die from a curable disease due to financial barriers.