Feliferon: a cure for infectious diseases in cats

Information about the drug

Development of the drug began in 2012. The instructions for Feliferon for cats indicate that this is the first domestic drug based on cat interferon.

Interferon is a protein that is responsible for preventing body cells from viruses. That is, this substance is one of the main ones in the immune system. The drug "Feliferon" for cats with instructions is available in the form of a ready-made solution for injection. The nominal volume of one ampoule is 3 ml, and it contains 2.5 ml of medicine. Containers with the substance are packed in a thick cardboard box to ensure safety during transportation.

Composition, release form, packaging

"Feliferon" is sold in the form of a clear solution for injection. The main active ingredient in its composition is feline interferon at a dose of 400,000 IU per 1 ml of the drug.

Did you know? Cats can make up to 100 sounds

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10 times more than dogs.
Also in “Feliferon” there is:

• glacial acetic acid - 0.0045 ml (until the pH is established from 4.5 to 5);
• sodium acetate (1.64 mg);
• 5.84 mg sodium chloride;
• 0.1 mg polysorbate;
• 0.07 mg sodium salt EDTA;
• dextran (40-50 mg);
• as well as up to 1 ml of water for injection.

“Feliferon” is bottled in glass bottles of 2.5 ml, which are sealed with rubber stoppers, on top of which aluminum caps are screwed. You can purchase packages of 2 and 5 units, which are placed in a “Corex” tray. The package also includes instructions for the drug.

Shelf life and storage conditions

Reviews of Feliferon for cats with instructions for use note the convenient packaging of the drug. The ampoules are equipped with rubber stoppers that allow you to store the drug until the expiration date without changing the pharmacological properties.

The shelf life is 2 years from the date of issue. An opened bottle can be stored for 5 days in a cool, dark place. It is not recommended to keep the drug near food and animal feed.

The optimal temperature for the drug is from +2 to +8 degrees. One-time freezing of the drug is allowed. After the expiration date, the medicine should not be stored or used.

Advantages of the drug

Feliferon injections for cats with instructions for use have the following advantages:

1. Antiviral effect, which is caused by slowing down protein synthesis in affected cells in order to enable the body to overcome it.
2. The immunomodulatory effect is to increase the level of activity of leukocytes, which are responsible for cleansing the body of viruses.
3. The drug contains cat interferon, which is suitable specifically for these animals, as a result of which a positive effect is noted after the first use.
4. Has no side effects associated with toxicity.
5. Regular use of the drug in case of illness ensures rapidly developing positive dynamics of the disease and rapid recovery.
6. Not addictive.

Thanks to its set of positive qualities, Feliferon has become often used to treat cats for viral diseases.

Contraindications and side effects

And although Feliferon is considered a safe drug for cats, it has contraindications. It can cause more harm than good to an animal’s body in the following cases:

• for autoimmune diseases;
• for allergic pathologies that occur in severe form;
• in case of intolerance to components.

The immunostimulant is generally well tolerated by pets and can be used on cats of all ages, including kittens. When using this medication on kittens or pregnant cats, consult your doctor. Even exceeding the dose usually does not have negative consequences for animals.

If you are intolerant to the substances included in the composition, an allergy may occur, which is manifested by a rash, vomiting, itching or other unpleasant symptoms. In this case, stop using Feliferon. To alleviate the suffering of the animal, it is given an antiallergenic drug and, if necessary, symptomatic treatment is prescribed.

Rules of application

As for any medicinal product, the instructions for Feliferon for cats contain rules for use:

1. The medicine is used in cases of animal infection with acute respiratory diseases, intestinal infections, and also as a prophylaxis at high risks of infection.
2. The only contraindication is the cat's sensitivity to the components of the drug.
3. After animals have undergone vaccination, it is recommended to refrain from administering Feliferon for 10 days.
4. The solution is created for intramuscular administration. Traditionally, the injection is made into the muscle of the hind limb.
5. Use for pregnant animals is permitted only after consultation with a veterinarian.
6. For intramuscular injections, the Feliferon instructions for cats do not recommend mixing several drugs in one syringe. The exception is immunobiological substances.

Before administering any medication to an animal, you should consult a veterinarian to avoid side effects.

Adverse reactions

When Feliferon is used correctly, treatment proceeds well and no negative effects occur. Otherwise, cats may encounter a number of undesirable consequences, which will require them to refuse injections of the immunostimulant. Thus, if diarrhea, vomiting, rash, or itching occurs, therapy should not be continued, but measures must be taken quickly to alleviate the pet’s condition. Veterinarians recommend giving the purr an antiallergic drug, and if symptoms persist, then symptomatic treatment.

Indications for use

Veterinarians recommend using the drug "Feliferon" in the following cases:

1. Viral and bacterial diseases of the digestive system.
2. Decreased immunity in acute respiratory viral diseases.
3. Avitaminosis.
4. Helminthic infestations.
5. Anemia.
6. After childbirth or surgery to support the immune system.
7. Acute intoxication.

The use of Feliferon provides significant support to the immune system in the fight against viruses. However, the drug is not used independently; it serves as a support for the use of other active medications.

How does the medicine work and when should it be used?

Feliferon has an antiviral and immunostimulating effect. The anti-infective effect occurs due to the fact that the interferon protein destroys DNA and RNA containing viruses. The immunostimulating effect is due to increased phagocytic activity of macrophages and increased specific cytotoxicity of lymphocytes. Indications for starting a course of Feliferon are:

• Treatment of acute diseases of viral, bacterial or mixed etiology, affecting the respiratory system, gastrointestinal genitourinary, skin and other systems.
• Prevention of infection during postoperative care, in the postpartum period, in case of threat of infection during epidemics.

With any type of contact with a sick animal, a cat can catch the immunodeficiency virus - Feliferon is considered the most effective against this disease today

Dosage of the drug

Instructions for use of "Feliferon" for cats allow the following dosage of the medicinal substance:

1. 200,000 IU is prescribed to support the immune system during viral diseases. The injection is given once a day for 5-7 days.
2. A dosage of 200,000 IU is also used to prevent most viral diseases. The drug is administered twice with an interval of 48 hours.
3. In case of severe disease or mixed infection, the dosage is doubled - 400,000 IU.

An increase in dosage is carried out only after examining the animal by the attending physician.

A course of treatment

Usually, the drug is very well tolerated by animals and helps to improve the condition after the first dose. For prevention, 200,000 IU (international unit) is used daily for at least two days. Treatment of ARVI takes from five to seven days, during which the drug is administered at a dose of 200,000 IU twice a day.

If the pet’s condition is very serious, the disease has progressed and has caused complications, the dosage can be doubled without canceling the main drug treatment.

Feliferon is prescribed to cats as an intramuscular injection.

1. In order to prevent viral and bacterial infections, if there is a threat of infection, the animal is administered 200,000 IU of the drug twice. The interval between administrations should be 48 hours.
2. For the purpose of treating bacterial, viral and mixed infections, the drug is administered to the animal in a daily dosage of 200,000 IU. The full course of treatment lasts from 5 to 7 days. In parallel, treatment with antibacterial drugs and serum immunoglobulins is prescribed. All drugs are prescribed in accordance with the instructions for their use.
3. If the disease is severe, the daily dosage can be increased to 400,000 IU. Only the treating veterinarian can increase the dosage.

It is strictly forbidden to mix the drug in the same syringe with other medications. It is possible to administer through different syringes in parallel with immunoglobulin serums or chemotherapy drugs.

The dosage regimen and course of treatment are determined individually depending on the severity of the disease, as well as the weight and age of the animal. Typically, for kittens older than two months, the dosage is determined at the level of an adult animal, which is due to the imperfect development of the immune system at this age.

Indications for the use of Feliferon are the following conditions:

1. Complex therapy for gastrointestinal disorders.
2. Treatment of viral and viral-bacterial diseases.
3. Elimination of pathologies in anemia and hypovitaminosis.
4. Treatment and prevention of acute respiratory diseases.
5. Complex treatment of invasive diseases.
6. Support the body during pregnancy and after childbirth.
7. For food poisoning.

As part of complex therapy, Feliferon is often used in the treatment of feline distemper, calicivirus and other serious diseases. For prevention, it is advisable to use the product for no more than two days and only as directed by a veterinarian.

"Feliferon" is well tolerated by cats and belongs to the class of low-hazard medicinal substances, but when using it, some features should be taken into account.

Important application details:

1. Do not mix the drug with other medications in the same syringe.
2. The recommended course of treatment or prevention must be followed, otherwise the effectiveness of therapy will decrease.
3. The drug is used exclusively for domestic cats. Its use on other animals, birds or people is prohibited.

If these simple rules are followed, Feliferon has a good therapeutic effect. At the same time, it should be remembered that its use cannot replace the composition of complex therapy, therefore the veterinarian’s instructions should be followed in full.

The solution inside the bottle is sterile, so when using it you must adhere to the rules of asepsis and antisepsis (wash your hands, wipe the bottle cap with alcohol, do not touch the needle with your hands).

The medicine must be administered intramuscularly. The place for inserting the needle is the back of the thigh.

The dosage is determined individually and depends on the purpose of use. For the prevention and treatment of mild diseases, the daily dose is 200,000 IU. To treat severe pathology, a dose twice as large is needed – 400,000 IU.

The duration of the course of therapy is also determined individually. For prevention – 2 days, for treatment – ​​5–7 days. If necessary, the course of treatment can be extended (discussed with a veterinarian).

The method of using the medicine directly depends on the reason for taking it:

1. For prevention. It is necessary to inject the pet with the drug at a dosage of 200,000 IU twice, with a break of two days.
2. For therapeutic purposes. Daily 200,000 IU in one dose. The duration of treatment ranges from a span to seven days.
3. At an advanced stage of the disease. The course lasts a week, the dose is 400,000 IU per day.

Skipping even one dose of the drug leads to a decrease in the effectiveness of treatment. It is important to strictly adhere to the instructions for use and doctor’s recommendations, not to exceed the prescribed dosage, and also not to mix this drug with other medications in the same syringe.

It is not recommended to use the drug after vaccinating your pet for the next ten days.

If the drug is used to prevent disease, 200,000 IU daily for 14 days is recommended. To treat acute respiratory diseases, you need to give two injections of 200,000 IU for 5-7 days. In cases where the disease progresses very quickly and causes complications, it is recommended to double the dosage of the drug without canceling other medications in the course of treatment.

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The dosage and regimen of use completely depends on the disease and its stage of development. That is why it is important to consult a doctor before using the drug. It is recommended to give injections at approximately the same time. If for some reason you manage to skip the next procedure, it should be done as soon as possible. In this case, no changes are made to the treatment regimen.

The instructions for use indicate that it can increase the body's resistance to the penetration of infectious agents in the postoperative and postpartum period.

How and where to inject

When using the drug yourself, you should know exactly how and where to inject it to ensure maximum effectiveness.

Feliferon is injected intramuscularly to a depth of 1-1.5 cm into the hind limb. During injection, the needle should be directed at an angle of 450, and it should not rest against the bone.

If the cat has been in contact with an infected animal, then for preventive purposes the veterinarian may prescribe 2 injections with an interval of 48 hours. The dosage will be 200,000 IU, regardless of the pet’s weight.

Knowing that 1 cm3 contains 400,000 IU, and a bottle contains 2.5 cm3, it is easy to calculate that you need to take 0.6 cm3 of the drug for 1 injection.

For therapeutic purposes, Feliferon is administered in the same dose 1 time per day for 5-7 days in combination with other medications that affect the causes and symptoms of a particular disease.

During a severe form of the disease, the doctor may decide to double the daily dose.

Feliferon should be used only as prescribed by a veterinary doctor after a clinical examination and diagnosis.

Bearing offspring is not a direct contraindication to the use of the medicine, but a sharp increase in immunity can cause a miscarriage in a pregnant female.

Based on this, the doctor must decide on the advisability of administering interferon, having foreseen and assessed in advance all the consequences of this manipulation.

Side effects

If the dosage and rules for administering Feliferon were followed, no side effects were recorded.

If the cat shows individual intolerance to the solution, then its use should be stopped and the animal should be given an antihistamine.

Storage

Safety precautions for humans

When contacting a veterinary drug, do not forget about personal safety. Most often, Feliferon does not pose a danger to humans, however, there are exceptions in the form of individual allergic reactions. It is recommended to prevent the medicine from getting on the skin or mucous membranes. Before administering the drug to an animal, it is important to wear disposable medical gloves.

If contact occurs, rinse the area of ​​contact thoroughly with running water, and if an allergic reaction occurs, consult a doctor. Containers containing the drug are prohibited from being used; they must be disposed of as household waste.

Features of treatment for different cats

Feliferon solution is administered to cats only intramuscularly. The drug is used in a course - it is important to try not to take breaks in taking the next dose, as this delays the onset of recovery.

Selection of dosage, course duration

The dosage depends on the purpose of using the drug. For prevention, only two injections of 200,000 IU are enough (they are given with a break of 2 days). For treatment, 200,000 IU is administered every 24 hours. In case of severe pathology, it is allowed to increase the therapeutic dose to 400,000 IU. The duration of the course is 5–7 days.

For infectious diseases in cats, Feliferon is used in combination with antibiotics, serum and immunoglobulin preparations prescribed by a veterinarian

Video to help: how to give an intramuscular injection

Can it be given to pregnant cats and kittens?

Cubs can be safely treated with Feliferon. No dosage adjustment is required. A cat expecting offspring or nursing her babies is also allowed to give the drug. The drug will not cause any harm to her or her kittens. Moreover, the product is recommended for healthy animals during pregnancy and after birth in order to prevent infectious diseases and strengthen the immune system.

Is it possible to overdose

There were no cases of poisoning even with the use of increased doses of the drug. The drug underwent a toxicological study on the basis of the Research Center for Toxicology and Hygienic Complaints of Biological Products of the FMBA, as well as the All-Russian Research Institute named after K. I. Scriabin. According to the test results, it was found that even with the introduction of a five-fold dose, no deviations in the functioning of the patient’s internal organs were observed. Based on the data obtained during the study, Feliferon is classified as the lowest hazard class 4 (according to GOST 12.1.007–76).

Safety rules when working with medicine

When working with Feliferon, general safety rules should be followed. If the solution accidentally gets on the mucous membranes (mouth, eyes), they should be rinsed with water. People with an allergy to interferon should try to avoid contact of the drug with the skin (open bottles, administer injections while wearing gloves). Do not reuse empty solution packages for storing any food products, medicines, etc. (used bottles and syringes must be disposed of).

Reviews about the drug

The new drug “Feliferon” for cats, instructions and reviews of which report a positive effect after the first use, has deservedly gained popularity among veterinarians and pet owners. Users note an improvement in the animal’s well-being and an increase in appetite. The advantage is the fact that Feliferon can be used from the first days of a kitten’s life.

The purpose of the drug is to maintain immunity, which it does 100%. In this case, it is important to adhere to the instructions and make injections strictly according to the specified scheme, without taking breaks.

Pharmacological properties

As an antiviral agent, "Feliferon":

• suppresses the production of virus-containing cells;
• increases the resistance of healthy cells to disease;
• enhances the performance of macrophages (cells that destroy infected tissues and harmful microelements);
• activates the cytotoxic function of lymphocytes, which contribute to the destruction of diseased tissues.

After the first doses of the drug, animals experience normalization of their condition, a decrease in temperature and an improvement in heart rate. Important! However, despite the fact that

"Feliferon" is classified as a low-hazard substance, but you should still adhere to the rules for its use specified in the instructions.

Drug analogues

"Feliferon" is an effective, but expensive and not always available drug. Veterinarians may suggest the following drugs that have a similar therapeutic effect:

1. "Fosprenil" is available in the form of a solution for intramuscular injection. Dosage: 0.2 ml of the drug per 1 kg of animal weight. Indications for use are similar to Feliferon, however, the drug can be used not only for the treatment of cats.
2. "Neoferon" is an effective immunomodulator. The injection solution is prescribed at the rate of 0.5 ampoule volume per animal.
3. "Immunofan" contains a complex of active substances that not only have an immunomodulatory effect, but are also hepatoprotectors.

The choice and prescription of the drug depends entirely on the opinion of the veterinarian regarding the effectiveness of a particular drug in a given case.

Table comparing Feliferon with analogues

It is important to note that all of the drugs listed are conditional analogues and should not be replaced with Feliferon unless necessary. Only it contains a modified interferon, identical to the immune protein produced by the cat's body. The remaining medications do not contain interferons that are foreign to cats. They also help in fighting infections and strengthening the immune system, but there is a possibility that the animal’s body will produce antibodies to the drug, which will negate the effectiveness of the treatment (cats do not produce antibodies to Feliferon, so this drug is always effective).