Interferon Omega For Cats

Despite a lack of controlled studies confirming its efficacy recombinant feline interferon omega rfeifn ω is used in the treatment of feline upper respiratory tract disease furtd which is usually caused by feline calicivirus fcv or feline herpesvirus 1 fhv 1.

Interferon omega for cats.

Interferons are substances that are formed in the body when the immune system detects the presence of viruses. Interferon is most commonly given to cats as an injection under their skin. It is licensed across europe for the treatment of cats with feline leukaemia virus felv infection and or fiv infection in the non terminal stages of disease and for canine parvoviral disease. Efficacy is questionable at best and is considered controversial for treatment of certain viral diseases such as fip in cats.

Precautions and side effects. Give the cat interferon injections for 5 days. Recombinant feline interferon omega is a licensed veterinary product virbagen omega. Pinch some of the skin of your cat s back.

In cats interferon is mainly used to improve strengthen and restore immune function. Interferon alpha is a drug that may be used in cats to manage conditions such as the felv infectious peritonitis or fvh. In some fiv positive cats interferon might reduce the virus ability to replicate. It was first studied for use in parvovirus in dogs.

Feline interferon which is commercially available as virbagen omega is a treatment used for feline infectious peritonitis fip. Uses of interferon for dogs and cats the primary use of interferon in veterinary medicine has been as a supplement in the treatment of the non cancerous feline leukemia disease. Research and studies show positive results of feline interferon treatment in cats suffering from fip. They are given a dosage of 1mu per 1 kilogram 2 2 lb of body weight that is to be administered once each day for 5 days.

It doesn t work in every cat treated with the drug but there s always a chance it could work with your pet. This is usually due to a disease which has compromised the immune system often a virus. Type i interferon includes alpha beta and omega while type ii interferon includes the gamma protein. Feline recombinant omega interferon virbagen omega has been under evaluation since 1998.

Since 2002 uk approved for treatment of canine parvovirus infection. Certain cats treated with interferon become more active eat better and live longer. Interferon is also used on an investigational basis in the treatment of various cancers and viral infections in dogs and cats. Since 2004 uk approved for treatment of cats infected with felv and or fiv in the non terminal clinical stages from the ages of 9 weeks.