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Feline Infectious Peritonitis: A Challenging Diagnostic and Therapeutic Labyrinth
by
, , , , , and
Violetta Iris Vasinioti
,
Maria Stella Lucente
,
Cristiana Catella
,
Canio Buonavoglia
*,
Nicola Decaro
,
Annamaria Pratelli
and
Paolo Capozza
Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Animals 2026, 16(1), 128; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16010128
Submission received: 26 November 2025
/
Revised: 23 December 2025
/
Accepted: 31 December 2025
/
Published: 2 January 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevention and Control for Animal Transmissible Diseases)
Simple Summary
Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a serious and often fatal disease in cats caused by a feline coronavirus. However, not all infected cats will develop FIP, as the virus must undergo a mutation to transform into the highly virulent form responsible for the disease. Identifying the cats infected with the mutated feline coronavirus remains a major diagnostic challenge, and without treatment, affected cats have limited chances of survival. This study provides an overview of the available diagnostic approaches and the treatment options that have recently emerged due to scientific advancements.
Abstract
Feline coronaviruses (FCoVs) are ubiquitous pathogens, exhibiting high prevalence across feline populations worldwide. Although the virulent mutated biotype feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) is observed in only a small percentage of cats, it causes a systemic and often fatal disease. Diagnosis of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is challenging due to its non-specific clinical signs and the difficulty in differentiating between the two biotypes, feline enteric coronavirus (FECV) and FPIV. Currently, veterinarians rely on a combination of diagnostic methods, integrating laboratory tests, anamnesis and clinical signs to improve the diagnostic accuracy of FIP. Once considered untreatable, FIP now benefits from recent pharmacological advances that suggest promising therapeutic options, including antiviral drugs and immunomodulatory therapies. Despite these developments, the lack of an effective vaccine and definitive curative treatment highlights the need for continued research. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the current literature on diagnostic and treatment approaches for FIP. The aim is to improve understanding of the available options and strategies for FIP to mitigate its severe consequences.
Keywords:
feline coronavirus; FIP; diagnosis; treatment options
