FIP Treatment in Cats
FIP can be cured: today's antivirals cure 93% of treated cats. Here you will find each treatment option, how it works and what monitoring it needs.
Which antiviral to choose?
The choice of antiviral depends on multiple factors. Always consult with a vet experienced in FIP.
To see what treatment looks like from start to finish, phase by phase, read the step-by-step guide.
GS-441524
Most usedThe reference treatment for FIP. It inhibits the viral RNA polymerase, blocking the mutated coronavirus's ability to replicate inside cells. Available in oral and injectable form. The dose depends on the clinical presentation: check it in the calculator.
Molnupiravir
Oral onlyUses a different mechanism, it induces errors in viral RNA replication until the virus can no longer function. It has shown efficacy in FIP cases including neurological and ocular forms, and is increasingly used particularly where access to GS-441524 is limited.
Important notice: treating FIP with antivirals must always be done under veterinary supervision and in accordance with the regulations applicable in each country. In some European countries there are legally marketed remdesivir and GS-441524 preparations, which does not mean that they hold a marketing authorization specifically for treating FIP. Available information comes from clinical studies and from the experience accumulated by International Cat Care and FIP Warriors.
FAQ
Questions about treatment
Clear answers to the most common questions.
Two of them carry current FIP treatment: GS-441524, the reference treatment, and molnupiravir, which works through a different mechanism and only exists in oral form. Both are given as a full course and under veterinary supervision.
Yes. These are the forms that demand the most from treatment: they need higher doses than the wet abdominal form and, in neurological cases, sometimes a longer course. The exact dose depends on the clinical presentation and the weight of the cat, and you will find it in the dose calculator. Always confirm it with your vet.
93%. That is the figure held by the two reference registries: CureFIP documents 92.7% and FIPMed 93%. Before 2019, FIP was considered fatal in practically every case.
The response usually begins within 24 to 72 hours. Fever normally settles in the first 24 to 48 hours, red blood cells return to normal around day seven, and ascites disappears visibly within the first 15 days, though it may still show on ultrasound until week four. Most cats behave normally again between weeks two and four.
Daily checks on temperature, weight, appetite, activity and any new clinical sign. On top of that, blood work at the start of treatment and every four weeks, with a complete blood count and biochemistry covering total protein, globulins and albumin.
Relapses mostly appear in the ten days following the end of the course, though they can occur at any point during the observation period. They are treated with a second full course at a higher dose than the first. The success rate of that second course is 96%.
Need help choosing a treatment?
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