Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg
Erythropoietin (Epoetin Alpha) is dosed at 50–100 IU/kg SC 3x/week in cats, per Cross-check, Papich 4thttp.294 (Epoetin Alfa, Small Animal Dosage, Cats): "Start with 100 units/kg SQ three times weekly; reduce to twice weekly and to once weekly when […]" — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.491 (2026-08-01). — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.491' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.464; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.464. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs — ISBN 9780323244855, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323244855. Erythropoietin (Epoetin Alpha) is used in cats for Anemia of chronic kidney disease. Routes documented in cats: SC. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Erythropoietin (Epoetin Alpha) in cats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Epogen, Procrit
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC | 50–100 IU/kg | 3x/week | Until PCV normalizes, then reduce frequency | Anemia of chronic kidney disease | Moderate | Cross-check, Papich 4thttp.294 (Epoetin Alfa, Small Animal Dosage, Cats): "Start with 100 units/kg SQ three times weekly; reduce to twice weekly and to once weekly when […]" — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.491 (2026-08-01). — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.491' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.464; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.464. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs — ISBN 9780323244855, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323244855 |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
| Dose (iu/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | IV | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.170 | ulating erythropoiesis (induction dose): Epoetin alfa/beta: 100 IU/kg i.v., s.c. 3 times/week until PCV is at lower end of target range, then gradually r |
Figures are transcribed from the cited page or table of each held edition and are shown for reference only. They are not dose recommendations, they do not feed the calculator, and none has been reviewed by a veterinarian.
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Recombinant human erythropoietin that stimulates erythroid progenitor cells to increase red blood cell production.
Anti-EPO antibodies develop in ~25-30% of dogs/cats, causing refractory anemia. Darbepoetin preferred. Supplement iron. Monitor PCV.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cats may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Erythropoietin (Epoetin Alpha) dose range in cats, with cited source references: SC 50–100 IU/kg 3x/week. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Erythropoietin (Epoetin Alpha) in cats: SC.
Cited course lengths for Erythropoietin (Epoetin Alpha) in cats include: Until PCV normalizes, then reduce frequency. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Erythropoietin (Epoetin Alpha) is indicated in cats for: Anemia of chronic kidney disease.
These are general warnings for Erythropoietin (Epoetin Alpha) across species; consult the cat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Anti-EPO antibodies develop in ~25-30% of dogs/cats, causing refractory anemia. Darbepoetin preferred. Supplement iron. Monitor PCV.
Why a species-specific page? Erythropoietin (Epoetin Alpha) pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in cats — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.