Epakitin for Cats: Overview, Dosage & Side Effects

Epakitin is a powdered phosphorus binding agent manufactured by Vetoquinol that is used as a supportive nutritional supplement for cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this article, you’ll learn what Epakitin is, how and when it’s used, and potential side effects to monitor for.

Epakitin for Cats Overview

Medication Type:

Oral phosphate binder and/or calcium supplement

Form:

Powder

Prescription Required?:

No

FDA Approved?:

While developed for use in dogs and cats, FDA approval is not required for a neutraceutical like Epakitin.

Brand Names:

Epakitin

Common Names:

Calcium carbonate/chitosan

Available Dosages:

While Epakitin comes in different container sizes, all contain the same percentage of ingredients at 10% calcium carbonate and 8% chitosan.

Expiration Range:

Product should be used before the expiration date on the package. Containers should generally be stored at room temperature and kept away from moisture.

About Epakitin for Cats

Epakitin is a phosphorus binding agent. In pets with chronic kidney disease, kidney function has been found to be greatly impaired by higher dietary phosphorus intake. In more recent years, limiting dietary phosphorus intake in cats has been targeted as one of the most important components of managing CKD in cats to provide kidney support.

Restricting dietary protein has also traditionally been a component of managing renal disease as well, as this helps to reduce workload on the kidneys trying to excrete the waste products of dietary protein. However, restricting protein too much will lead to loss of muscle mass.

Dietary phosphorus and protein are interrelated. Commercially prepared diets formulated for cats with kidney disease are restricted in both and these diets often help to improve bloodwork values in cats with CKD.

However, as many pet owners with kidney disease cats know, not every kitty will eat a prescription renal diet. Many cats with kidney disease can be very picky about food and frequent diet changes can be common to keep a kitty’s interest.

Many veterinarians thus strive to strike a balance between ensuring the right nutrition components for kidney disease, but also making sure that a cat with CKD is taking in the right amount of calories.

Sometimes, this means allowing a cat to eat what he or she is most willing to eat, even if that means it’s not a diet formulated for kidney disease.

This is where a phosphate binder comes into play. By mixing a phosphorus binding agent in with a kitty’s diet, regardless of what that diet is, dietary phosphorus will be bound, with most of it excreted in the stool, sparing the kidneys further damage and slowing down progression of chronic kidney disease.

What Is Epakitin Used for in Cats?

Talk to your veterinarian before starting any new supplement, including Epakitin.

Epakitin contains two main ingredients, calcium carbonate and chitosan. Calcium carbonate binds to phosphorus, forming calcium phosphate, which is then eliminated in the feces.

Chitosan is a natural polysaccharide, or complex carbohydrate, derived from the shells of shrimp and crab. This ingredient also naturally binds phosphorus from the diet.

Cats with kidney disease commonly have bloodwork elevations in two waste products called blood urea nitrogen and creatinine. Actual bloodwork phosphorus levels are not always truly elevated.

But even if bloodwork phosphorus levels are not high, use of a phosphorus binding agent still spares the kidneys from damage and improvements can be seen in creatinine and urea levels.

Supplementing with calcium can also of course, increase calcium levels. The body tightly regulates calcium and phosphorus, keeping them in balance. In some cats with kidney disease, calcium levels may be low. In these cases, using a supplement containing calcium like Epakitin, can help to manage calcium levels.

Side Effects of Epakitin for Cats

In humans, nausea and constipation have been reported side effects when using a calcium carbonate product. However, in pets, no side effects of this kind have been reported. Epakitin is generally very well tolerated.

The main concern that requires monitoring is related to phosphorus and calcium levels. Supplementing with any calcium supplement can lead to elevated calcium levels, which can lead to serious complications. While this appears to be uncommon, monitoring is still a very important component of management.

The International Renal Interest Society (IRIS), an organization founded to further study and establish standards of care for pets with kidney disease, recommends bloodwork checks every four to six weeks initially for pets with kidney disease after starting a phosphorus binder. If levels are found stable, rechecking bloodwork every three months is then recommended.

Also Read: Cat Bloodwork (Different Types of Tests, Health Conditions And Costs)

There are several types of medications that need to be considered carefully when used in conjunction with a phosphorus binder/calcium supplement, as the effectiveness of some medications may be reduced. A couple others may increase calcium levels. Always make sure to discuss all medications or supplements your cat is taking when considering use of Epakitin or any similar product.

Overdoses of Epakitin are uncommon. However, in theory an overdose of a calcium supplement could lead to elevated calcium levels in the body. If you are concerned that this may have happened, make sure to contact your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (1-888-426-4435), or Pet Poison Helpline (1-855-764-7661) for further advice.

Epakitin for Cats Dosage

Epakitin is formulated as a powder and is mixed into your cat’s food.

According to the label, one level spoonful, equivalent to 1 gram of powder, per 11 pounds of body weight should be mixed with pet food in the morning and in the evening. This may be the appropriate dose for most cats. The powder may be most successfully given when mixed with wet food. A measuring spoon is provided with the product.

For cats who weigh much less or much more than 11 pounds, consulting with a vet would be needed to determine what dosage would be best.

The most important aspect of using a phosphorus binder is that it must be given at the time of a meal to be effective, as it is primarily binding phosphorus introduced to the body from the diet.

If a phosphorus binder is not given at the time of a meal, it is not going to be effective.

Conclusion

Epakitin can be an important component of managing chronic kidney disease for some cats. Not all cats with CKD may need to use Epakitin, so it is very important to discuss using this product with your veterinarian before starting it.