Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. This can lead to fatigue and other symptoms, such as shortness of breath, weakness, and pale skin. Anemia is most common in people who have chronic kidney disease or cancer. Epogen is used to treat anemia in humans; however, it has also been found to improve oxygen levels in cats suffering from chronic renal disease (CRD).
Epogen is the brand name for epoetin alfa, a drug used to treat anemia in cats. It’s also known as Epogen Cat, Epogen Cat Refills, and Epogen Cat Refill. Epogen is used to treat feline anemia caused by blood loss, cancer treatments, kidney disease, and other conditions that reduce red blood cells (RBCs). It helps cats produce more RBCs than they would naturally so their blood can carry more oxygen throughout the body.
Epogen is a hormone that stimulates the bone marrow to produce more RBCs. It’s given by injection once or twice a week at home under your vet’s supervision.
Epogen is an injectable drug used to treat anemia in humans. The drug is also beginning to be used by veterinarians as an off-label therapy for cats suffering from chronic renal disease.
Epogen is an injectable drug used to treat anemia in humans. The drug is also beginning to be used by veterinarians as an off-label therapy for cats suffering from chronic renal disease.
Epogen is a man-made version of the hormone erythropoietin (EPO), which your body produces naturally. It helps increase the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow, which increases your cat’s oxygen-carrying capacity and can help relieve symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, or dizziness caused by chronic kidney disease (CKD).
When administered via subcutaneous injection, Epogen has been shown to improve the quality of life for cats with CKD without increasing their risk of death from cardiovascular disease. Epogen For Cats is a medication that is used to treat feline anemia. It helps the body produce more red blood cells, which in turn increases oxygen delivery to tissues and organs.
Epogen
Epogen is an injectable drug used to treat anemia in humans. The drug is also beginning to be used by veterinarians as an off-label therapy for cats suffering from chronic renal disease.
Epogen is indicated for the treatment of severe anemia, alone or in combination with other medications, caused by chronic renal failure (CRF). Epogen can cause red blood cell production to increase up to three times normal levels. This increase helps reduce tiredness and fatigue associated with CRF.
How Does Epogen Work?
Epogen is a hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells. It is used to treat anemia and it does not cure this condition.
The most common type of anemia in cats is caused by a lack of red blood cells, which are responsible for carrying oxygen through the body. This type of anemia can be caused by kidney disease or something else that affects your cat’s ability to produce red blood cells on its own. Another type of anemia occurs when there aren’t enough healthy white blood cells (cells that fight infections), causing your cat’s immune system not to function properly.
Blood transfusions from healthy cats (donors) provide a temporary solution for some types of feline anemia because they contain healthy antibodies and white blood cells that help rebuild your pet’s system over time; however, this procedure comes with risks as well, and the biggest risk being bacterial infection due to contamination during collection or storage at animal hospitals, which makes Epogen treatment a good option if you need something permanent.
Sign of Worm in Cats
If you’re wondering whether your cat has worms, the answer is likely yes. Hookworms and roundworms are extremely common in cats. These parasites live in the intestines and absorb nutrients from the host animal’s body. While they don’t physically harm their hosts, they can cause anemia due to the loss of red blood cells and other nutrient deficiencies. In addition, tapeworms may also be present in your cat’s digestive tract if he or she has been nursing infected mice or rats. If you notice that your pet isn’t acting like himself or herself, losing weight without an obvious reason (like being underweight), vomiting frequently, or having diarrhea, you should take him or her to the vet right away to rule out internal parasitism as a cause for these symptoms.
What Conditions Might Be Treated With Epogen?
Epogen can be used to treat the following conditions:
- chronic renal disease
- anemia
- other conditions
If a cat needs a blood transfusion, the transfused blood cells will be able to carry more oxygen. This makes the red blood cells more efficient and helps improve oxygen levels in the body. It usually takes between one and two weeks for EPO injections to work on cats — although some cats start feeling better within two or three days of their first injection.
There are a few different ways to give EPO injections. The most common method is to draw blood from the cat, then inject it with EPO and re-infuse it into your pet’s bloodstream. This procedure can be done at home or in an emergency room, but it’s generally recommended that you take your cat to see her veterinarian first because she may need additional treatments or diagnostic tests before performing an injection of this kind herself.
Some veterinarians also use subcutaneous injections of epoetin beta instead of intravenous administration when they’re treating cats with chronic renal disease who have low red blood cell counts due to anemia caused by kidney failure. These subcutaneous injections work just as well as intravenous infusions for increasing red blood cell production and improving oxygen transport capacity in these patients, so there’s no need for them not to have access to IV lines if they’re unable
to administer these medications easily through their skin.
Administering Epogen for Cats
Your veterinarian will give you a prescription for Epogen. Follow your veterinarian’s directions on how often and how much to give your cat.
The dosage of Epogen that is right for each cat is different because cats vary in age, breed, and health status. The following instructions can be used as a general guideline when giving Epogen:
- Administer epoetin alfa by subcutaneous injection into the loose connective tissue between two ribs at least 4 times weekly. If necessary, you may administer it more than 4 times weekly.
- Do not inject epoetin alfa into muscles or veins.
- Use only the syringes provided by your pharmacist.
- Do not use an insulin syringe or other syringes that have been used previously.
- Store all medications out of reach from pets and children
Possible Side Effects of Epogen for Cats
The most commonly reported side effects of EPO therapy include:
- Headaches
- Increased risk of infections, including upper respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, and sepsis (bloodstream infection)
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; however, these symptoms usually resolve within a few days. If your cat vomits or has diarrhea for more than 3 days in a row, contact your veterinarian immediately.
- Fatigue and dizziness due to low blood pressure with the first injection may be accompanied by increased fatigue or drowsiness over time. This is why it’s important for cats on long-term treatment to have regular exercise sessions and rest periods every day.
Other less common side effects include constipation or diarrhea; tiredness; drowsiness; numbness around the mouth area if injected into muscle rather than subcutaneously (under the skin).
EPO can help control anemia in cats with chronic renal disease and make them feel better overall, but it’s important that you have regular checkups with a veterinarian while your cat is on this medication.
As a cat owner, there’s no doubt that you want to do everything in your power to keep your feline friend healthy. When it comes to anemia, EPO can help control anemia in cats with chronic renal disease and make them feel better overall, but it’s important that you have regular checkups with a veterinarian while your cat is on this medication.
Side effects of Epogen For Cats
The side effect of EPO:
The side effects that you should look out for are the following:
- Increased thirst and urination
- Headache and dizziness
- Loss of appetite
Reason for Using Epogen For Cats
Epogen, or epoetin alfa, is a drug used to treat anemia in humans. It’s also beginning to be used by veterinarians as an off-label therapy for cats suffering from chronic renal disease.
The drug can be injected once every two weeks (or once every three weeks if your cat has kidney disease) at the dose of 10 micrograms per kilogram of body weight. The dosage can then be adjusted based on the following factors:
- The cat’s response to treatment
- How long since the last injection was given
Cost of Using Epogen For Cats
How much does Epogen cost? Epogen is a very expensive medication and can cost thousands of dollars per year. For example, the manufacturer’s website lists a price of $1,500 for 20 vials (150 units), which is about $100 per vial. The manufacturer also sells a smaller quantity (5 vials) for $600, which works out to about $120 per vial. According to Medicare’s drug pricing tool, epoetin alfa costs anywhere between $959 and $2,868 per month depending on which dosage your doctor prescribes.
Epogen isn’t covered by insurance or government programs like Medicare or Medicaid because it’s considered an “investigational product.” That means that it hasn’t been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as safe and effective for use in humans; however, some patients are able to get it through VA hospitals or through compassionate care programs offered by pharmaceutical companies like Amgen® Corporation (maker of Aranesp).
In Conclusion
If you have a cat with chronic renal disease and anemia, discuss the possibility of treatment with your veterinarian. There are many other treatments available to help control this condition and Epogen may not be right for everyone but if it can help your cat feel better, then it’s worth considering.