Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) was once considered universally fatal. New antiviral treatments have transformed outcomes, making understanding treatment options crucial for cat welfare.
FIP was one of the most devastating diagnoses in feline medicine - a young cat, often still a kitten, diagnosed with a disease that meant weeks of progressive deterioration until death or euthanasia. The welfare impact was profound: affected cats experienced fever, weight loss, fluid accumulation causing breathing difficulty, and neurological effects. The antiviral treatment revolution represents one of the most dramatic welfare improvements in recent veterinary history. Cats that would have died within days are now recovering fully and living normal lives. However, access to treatment remains uneven: costs are significant, legal access varies by country, and some owners are unaware that treatment is now possible. Ensuring broad awareness of FIP treatability is now a major welfare priority.