FIP was once an invariably fatal disease in cats. Antiviral treatments have transformed it into a manageable condition for many cats, with major welfare implications for affected animals and their owners.
The transformation of FIP from a death sentence to a treatable condition is one of the most significant advances in feline medicine in decades. For cats diagnosed with wet FIP (with fluid accumulation), the disease progression was previously rapid and distressing. Antiviral treatment has given these cats months and years of healthy life. The welfare challenge now is access - treatment is expensive and not yet universally available, meaning outcomes still depend partly on owner financial capacity. Advocating for affordable access to life-saving veterinary treatment is a welfare issue as much as a medical one.