ABCD updates FIP treatment guidance as antiviral use expands

The European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases has published an updated treatment guideline for feline infectious peritonitis, or FIP, in Viruses, reflecting how quickly the field has changed since its major 2023 revision. The update reinforces that FIP is no longer viewed as uniformly fatal when antiviral therapy is available, and it centers treatment around nucleoside analogues including GS-441524 and remdesivir, with molnupiravir discussed as a more limited option in some settings. The board says access still varies widely by country, but the clinical outlook has shifted because oral GS-441524 and related protocols are now supported by a growing evidence base, along with more practical guidance on monitoring and prognostic indicators. (mdpi.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the update helps move FIP management from improvised case-by-case decision-making toward a more standardized approach. The guideline highlights that cats often improve quickly after starting antivirals, which can support treatment decisions even while confirmatory testing is pending in high-suspicion cases, and it outlines where higher doses or more intensive protocols may be needed, especially for neurologic or ocular disease. That’s particularly relevant in markets like the U.S., where FDA enforcement discretion has allowed veterinarians to prescribe patient-specific compounded GS-441524 even though no FDA-approved FIP drug exists. (mdpi.com)

What to watch: Expect continued refinement around dosing, relapse risk, and how clinics integrate legally available compounded antivirals into FIP workflows across different markets. (abcdcatsvets.org)