Interferon Omega
Também conhecido como: Virbagen Omega, Virbagen omega
> **Important Note:** This medication is typically administered in a veterinary hospital setting where your pet can be closely monitored and supported, especially since it is often used for severe viral infections like Parvovirus. * **What to Expect**: Your pet may develop a mild fever 3 to 6 hours after the injection. This is a normal immune response to the medication. Mild vomiting, tiredness, or soft stool may also occur. * **Vaccinations**: Do not have your pet vaccinated while they are receiving this treatment. For cats with FeLV or FIV, vaccinations are generally not recommended even after treatment due to their compromised immune systems. * **Cost**: Treatment with Interferon-Omega involves advanced recombinant technology and can be very expensive. Discuss the expected costs and prognosis with your veterinarian.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
Veterinary professional? See the full dosing-by-species reference on VetSheet →
What it is used for
- Treatment of FeLV and/or FIV (non-terminal clinical stages)
- FHV-1 facial dermatitis
- Treatment of parvovirus (enteric form)
- Treatment of atopic dermatitis
- Parvovirus
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Hyperthermia (typically 3-6 hours post-dose)
- Vomiting
- Soft feces or mild diarrhea (cats)
- Transient fatigue or lethargy (cats)
- Slight decreases in RBCs, WBCs, and platelets (usually resolves within a week)
- Increased ALT (usually resolves within a week)
- Antibody formation in dogs (with prolonged or repeated treatment)
- Transient fatigue
- Hyperthermia
- Mild diarrhoea
- Decreased WBCs (leukopenia)
- Decreased platelets (thrombocytopenia)
- Decreased RBCs (anaemia)
- Increased liver enzyme activities
- Ocular irritation (with topical use in cats)
- Immune-mediated diseases (reported with long-term administration in humans)
Cautions & contraindications
- Concurrent vaccination in dogs (wait until fully recovered)
- Vaccination in cats during and after treatment (due to the immunosuppressive nature of FeLV/FIV)
- Substitution with human interferons (alpha, beta, or gamma)
- No specific contraindications available in the monograph
- Do not vaccinate dogs currently being treated until they have fully recovered. Cat vaccinations are contraindicated during and after treatment due to the underlying immunosuppressive retroviral infections. Intravenous administration in cats may cause an increased incidence and severity of adverse effects, though adverse effects in cats are generally uncommon. Dogs may develop neutralizing antibodies if treatment is prolonged beyond the labeled dosage period.
Drug interactions
- Hepatotoxic drugs: May increase the risk of liver toxicity; use with caution.
- Myelosuppressive drugs: May increase the risk of bone marrow suppression; use with caution.
- Vaccines: Should not be administered concurrently until the animal has clinically recovered.
- Antibiotics: Improves prognosis; no negative interactions observed.
- NSAIDs: Improves prognosis; no negative interactions observed.
Perguntas frequentes
What is Interferon Omega used for in pets?
> Important Note: This medication is typically administered in a veterinary hospital setting where your pet can be closely monitored and supported, especially since it is often used for severe viral infections like Parvovirus. • What to Expect: Your pet may develop a mild fever 3 to 6 hours after the injection. This is a normal immune response to the medication. Mild vomiting, tiredness, or soft stool may also occur. • Vaccinations: Do not have your pet vaccinated while they are receiving this treatment. For cats with FeLV or FIV, vaccinations are generally not recommended even after treatment due to their compromised immune systems. • Cost: Treatment with Interferon-Omega involves advanced recombinant technology and can be very expensive. Discuss the expected costs and prognosis with your veterinarian.
Is Interferon Omega safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
Este artigo é educação geral e não substitui aconselhamento veterinário. Se o animal estiver doente, consulte um veterinário.
Preocupado com o seu animal?
A IA da Peqaboo ajuda a registar sintomas, compreender análises e saber quando ver o veterinário.
Obter a app Peqaboo