Recombinant human erythropoietin corrects anemia in a feline model of chronic kidney disease

Background

Anemia is a common systemic complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats, arising mainly from insufficient endogenous erythropoietin synthesis and impaired iron utilization. These disturbances reduce oxygen delivery, worsen clinical status, and accelerate CKD progression. Although recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) is used in selected cases, detailed evaluations of its therapeutic performance in veterinary practice remain limited.