Imatinib for Cat
Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg
Imatinib is used in cat for Mast cell tumors / GIST (investigational). Routes documented in cat: PO. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Imatinib in cat, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Trade names: Gleevec
Dose ranges
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 5–10 mg/kg | q24h | Monitor response with tumor measurements and CBC | Mast cell tumors / GIST (investigational) | Weak | Withrow & MacEwen's Small Animal Clinical Oncology, 6th Ed |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
These ranges are per kg. Enter your cat's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Mechanism of action
Selectively inhibits BCR-ABL, c-KIT, and PDGFR tyrosine kinases. Blocks signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation and survival in KIT-mutant tumors.
Side effects & warnings
Hepatotoxicity — monitor liver enzymes. GI upset, edema, and myelosuppression possible. Used for mast cell tumors and GIST in dogs. Expensive.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cat may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Other Oncology drugs with cat dosing
Imatinib dosing in other species
Why a species-specific page? Imatinib pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in cat — 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.