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 target hematocrit of 30%-40% is attained. In most cats, maintenance dose is 75-100 units/kg SQ twice weekly." — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.491 (2026-08-01).. 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 target hematocrit of 30%-40% is attained. In most cats, maintenance dose is 75-100 units/kg SQ twice weekly." — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.491 (2026-08-01). |
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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.