Use of recombinant human erythropoietin for management of anemia in dogs and cats with renal failure.
OBJECTIVE
To test efficacy and safety of recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) administration in dogs and cats with naturally developing chronic renal failure.


METHODS
Case series.


METHODS
6 client-owned dogs and 11 client-owned cats with chronic renal failure.


METHODS
r-HuEPO was administered intravenously or subcutaneously. Erythropoietic effects were monitored by determining CBC, performing cytologic examination of bone marrow aspirates, and measuring serum iron concentration before and during treatment. Development of adverse effects was monitored by performing sequential clinical assessments, CBC, and serum biochemical tests and by measuring indirect blood pressure and anti-r-HuEPO antibody titers.


RESULTS
Administration of r-HuEPO increased RBC and reticulocyte counts, hemoglobin concentration, and Hct comparably in dogs and cats. Assessments of clinical well-being, including appetite, energy, weight gain, alertness, strength, and playfulness, were improved variably. Adverse effects, including anemia, anti-r-HuEPO antibody production, seizures, systemic hypertension, and iron deficiency, were demonstrated inconsistently in dogs and cats.


CONCLUSIONS
Anemia contributes to clinical manifestations of chronic renal failure in dogs and cats. Administration of r-HuEPO has the potential to resolve anemia and improve clinical well-being. However, its administration poses risks of antibody production and adverse effects associated with correction of RBC mass. Use of r-HuEPO in dogs and cats requires conscientious assessment of risks and benefits until homologous forms of erythropoietin are available.
Cowgill
L D
LD
Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616-8734, USA.
James
K M
KM
Levy
J K
JK
Browne
J K
JK
Miller
A
A
Lobingier
R T
RT
Egrie
J C
JC
D000740:Anemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D000818:Animals; D001772:Blood Cell Count / Q000662:veterinary; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D002415:Cats; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D004285:Dogs; D004909:Erythrocyte Indices / Q000662:veterinary; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit / Q000662:veterinary; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000662:veterinary
D006454:Hemoglobins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin