The development of antiviral treatments for feline infectious peritonitis transformed what was a universally fatal disease into a treatable condition, with profound welfare implications.
Before effective antivirals, FIP caused immense suffering in affected cats through progressive immune-mediated organ damage, fluid accumulation causing breathing difficulty and abdominal pain, and neurological involvement. Cats typically died within days to weeks of diagnosis. The development of effective treatment represents one of the most significant welfare improvements in companion animal medicine in recent decades, enabling cats who would have died in suffering to achieve full remission. Access disparities remain a welfare concern as treatment costs remain high in some regions, and awareness among general practitioners affects timely diagnosis and treatment initiation.