FIP is a fatal coronavirus disease in cats that until recently had no effective treatment, with new antivirals now offering hope for cats previously facing a death sentence.
FIP historically caused one of the most distressing welfare situations in feline medicine - a young, otherwise healthy cat facing a uniformly fatal diagnosis with no treatment options. The wet form causes respiratory distress from pleural or abdominal fluid accumulation. The dry form causes neurological signs including seizures and behavioral changes. The development of effective antiviral treatment with GS-441524 has transformed FIP from a uniformly fatal disease to one where most cats can achieve sustained remission. However, treatment requires daily medication for 12 weeks, and access and cost remain significant barriers. Cats achieving remission return to normal health and behavior, making treatment one of the most rewarding interventions in feline medicine.