Rapamycin For Cats — FAQs
Rapamycin for Cats– What You Need to Know
Rapamycin for Cats– The Trivium Study.
Rapamycin has beem proven to benefit cardiac function in a number of species ranging from mice to marmosets, dogs to cats.
The Trivium study showed conclusively that the delayed release rapamycin that we offer reduced the progression of fatal Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, or HCM, in about 2/3 of cats treated.
The benefits of rapamycin reached statistical significance only after six (6) months of treatment, so this is not a quick fix. These results also suggest that rapamycin for HCM cats needs to be continued for life.
One thing is clear. Until now, the diagnosis of HCM has been a death sentence for the kitties that bring us so much joy and companionship.
Now it’s not.
Rapamycin for Cats– The Price
Rapamycin for cats is a prescription drug. and this means that you can only order it from us with either a prescription from your local veterinarian or after a Concierge Consult with Dr. Kevin
The cost on our Delayed Release Rapamycin is $285, or about $90 a month for the average 10 lb cat.
listen, I understand that this is a significant investment. I also understand that our Delayed Release Rapamycin is the only drug that gives us a fighting chance against the progression of fatal HCM, or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, in the cats we love.
Let’s get to work.
Our Updated Results, as of 11/12/24. Eleven cats rechecked with echo exams after 6 mo on rapamycin, EIGHT IMPROVED. (Two of the kitties that did not improve were genetic siblings.)
Hello Dr. Toman –
Rapamycin for Cats — The Dosing
If you are considering rapamycin for your cat, here are the things you need to know.
- The dosing of rapamycin for cats is 0.3 mg/kg given once weekly, preferably with food.
- Rapamycin is best absorbed when eaten with fat, and so adding a little olive oil to your cat’s diet will maximize their benefit.
- The Trivium study used a “delayed release” version of rapamycin, but did not give any more details.
- The reason for the “delayed release” is that rapamycin is degraded by stomach acidity in humans, and this is likely true in cats as well. Thus our goal is to get the rapamycin THROUGH the stomach without exposing it to acid.
- We carry TWO versions of Delayed Relase Rapamycin:
- COATED TABLETS in 0.5 mg for cats of 3-4 lbs, 1.0 mg for cats 7-8 lbs, and 2.0 mg for 14 lb cats.
- A LIQUID ORAL SOLUTION which can be flavored to your cat’s taste — bacon, beef, chicken, or fish. This also allows exact dosing based upon your cat’s body weight.
The best time to start an HCM cat on rapamycin was yesterday. Second best is today, so LET’S GET STARTED.
Good news with Logan’s echo! The thickening completely resolved! Let it be noted that Logan’s condition is probably secondary to the mitral valve dysplasia, but for it to happen this fast I am sure the rapamycin helped! Next echo will be in 6 months instead of 3… Hoping for this outcome to stick. Thank you so much!
(Note that, medicine being medicine, I cannot guarantee any outcome. So far we are 8/11 for improvement in HCM kitties on rapamycin. I will update this as we get more rechecks. — Dr. Kevin)
Rapamycin for Cats — The Side Effects
Listen, ANY time you start a medication — for yourself or your cat– you better ask about potential side effects.
Rapamycin for cats? Here’s the good news. To date we have seen NO significant side effects in a total of 66 cats treated with our Delayed Release Rapamycin.
Two cats drooled excessively when they were started on the liquid rapamycin suspension. One cat developed diarrhea when first started on rapamycin, but both issues resolved with continued rapamycin dosing at the suggested dose.
That’s it for the side effects that we have seen.
The biggest concern that I have around rapamycin for cats is that rapamycin has been shown to raise blood sugar in some individuals, especially those with pre-existing diabetes. This is more common at the high doses of rapamycin used for immunosuppression in humans, but one cat in the Trivium study did develop ketoacidosis, a serious complication of diabetes.
Should this stop us from using rapamycin for cats, especially those with HCM? Not in my mind, because I have seen too many cats killed by progressive HCM.
Instead, let’s develop a logical testing protocol based upon your cat’s risks and health, and let science drive our choices.
One thing we know is that untreated HCM will progress until it kills our cats.
I have a problem with that. If you share that belief, let’s work together to help your cat.
Purchase Rapamycin For Your Cat Now.
Help Your Cat Live Their Longest and Best Life.
About Me
Hey, there. Dr. Kevin here. I am a veterinarian who has been in clinical practice treating cats like yours for over 30 years. I live on the Central Coast of California, and have a passion for helping pets live longer. I am particularly interested in longevity drugs like rapamycin, dental care, and cancer therapy.
“Rapamycin is the only drug consistently shown to increase mammalian longevity…”
Z.D. Sharp, ScienceDirect.com, 2023
How To Get Rapamycin for Your Cat
1.
Rapamycin is a Prescription Drug
So your vet can write you a prescription.