Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) was once considered uniformly fatal, but the development of antiviral drugs has transformed it into a treatable condition with high cure rates.
Cats with untreated FIP suffer a distressing progression: abdominal or chest fluid accumulation, neurological signs, severe weight loss, and progressive organ failure. The transformation to a treatable disease represents one of the most significant recent advances in feline welfare. However, treatment access inequities mean that cats in lower-income households or countries often still die preventable deaths. Advocacy for affordable access to FIP antivirals is a meaningful welfare intervention that could save thousands of cats annually.