Veterinary innovator Elanco Animal Health has announced the launch of Eluracat – an innovative new treatment designed to support cats experiencing poor appetite or unintended weight loss associated with chronic medical conditions, like CKD.

Eluracat is now available to vets across the UK and Ireland, offering a once-daily oral solution that supports cats in gaining and maintaining body weight and is suitable for long term use.

Eluracat is the first licensed capromorelin product for veterinary use in the UK & Ireland, representing an important milestone in feline medicine.  It is the only weight gain treatment to activate a cat's own physiological hunger pathways. By mimicking ghrelin, a cat's endogenous ‘hunger hormone’, Eluracat stimulates secretion of growth hormone and release of IGF-1 to promote weight gain. This dual action increases food intake and drives metabolic changes that together result in weight gain.

Maintaining weight is particularly important for cats living with chronic conditions such as CKD, with cats experiencing shorter survival times if they do not maintain their weight.6Unintended weight loss can be detected up to three years before CKD diagnosis and accelerates following diagnosis, highlighting the importance of early intervention.

In a real-world study, 83% of cats gained and maintained weight with Eluracat3 demonstrating its efficacy for managing weight loss in cats with chronic medical conditions like CKD. 

The once-daily oral solution with vanilla flavouring is suitable for long-term use. Practices are encouraged to start patients on treatment from the first signs of unintended weight loss and continue for as long as clinically appropriate. IRIS Guidelines recommend capromorelin (Eluracat) for the treatment of weight loss in cats with CKD, and Eluracat has been used alongside other common medications for CKD and chronic conditions.

Jacqui Skelly, Head of Veterinary Technical Services, UK & Ireland, comments: “Unintended weight loss is one of the earliest and most visible signs that a cat living with a chronic medical condition may be struggling, yet it can often be overlooked until it becomes significant. Supporting cats to maintain a healthy body weight can help them stay active and continue enjoying their everyday life. It is particularly important for cats with chronic conditions like CKD, where failure to maintain weight has been associated with shorter survival times.

“Innovations in veterinary medicine like this are increasingly important in improving quality of life and long-term outcomes, especially as the UK cat population is now estimated at 10.2 million and cats across the UK and Ireland continue to live longer. As vets care for increasing numbers of ageing cats, there is a growing need for early intervention and effective long-term management of chronic medical conditions."

The launch of Elanco's newest feline innovation, Eluracat, marks another milestone in the growing feline medicine portfolio from Elanco, following the earlier launch of Varenzin. It reinforces the company's commitment to supporting vets and nurses with innovative therapies that improve clinical outcomes and help cats live longer, healthier lives.