Sustained clinical remission and long-term safety of molnupiravir as first-line therapy for effusive feline infectious peritonitis a 40-week retrospective study.

Clinical Context

Peer-reviewed veterinary literature continues to shape everyday decision-making for feline patients, especially when new evidence clarifies diagnosis, treatment selection, monitoring, or clinical outcomes.

What the Study Evaluated

A study published in Veterinary and animal science in 2026 evaluated sustained clinical remission and long-term safety of molnupiravir as first-line therapy for effusive feline infectious peritonitis: a 40-week retrospective study..

Key Findings

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a highly fatal disease caused by feline coronavirus (FCoV). Although the acute clinical efficacy of molnupiravir as first-line therapy has been recognized, there are limited data regarding the long-term durability of clinical outcomes and safety profile posttreatment. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the acute response (weeks 0-12) and long-term clinicopathological outcomes (up to week 40) in cats with naturally occurring effusive FIP treated with molnupiravir. Forty-two cats were included. They received a median molnupiravir dose of 14.3 mg/kg twice daily for at least 84 days (12 weeks)....

Why It Matters for Veterinary Professionals

For veterinary professionals, the practical value of this work lies in how the findings may support more structured clinical assessment, clearer monitoring, and more informed decisions for feline patients.

Practical Interpretation

The results should be interpreted in the context of the study design, population, inclusion criteria, and clinical setting. Application in practice should consider patient-specific risk factors, available diagnostics, local standards of care, and clinician judgment.

Clinical Takeaway

Overall, the study adds useful evidence for clinicians seeking to align daily practice with current veterinary research while maintaining a balanced, case-by-case approach.

• Read the full article here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42620651/