Interferon Side Effects in Cats

Interferon is a medication designed to stimulate the immune system and may be used in instances where the feline is suffering from an upper respiratory infection, or in the management of infection from the feline leukemia or feline AIDS virus. Interferon has been found to possess an anticancer and antiviral effect, according to Dr. Dawn Ruben on PetPlace.com. Ruben cautions, however, that interferon's mechanics are not fully understood and, as of 2010, it is only prescribed to animals on an experimental basis. This drug hosts many side effects.

  1. Vomiting

    • Both Ruben and Mar Vista Animal Medical Center report vomiting as a common side effect of interferon. The feline may also lose its appetite and suffer from diarrhea.

    Blood Platelet Counts

    • VetInfo.com reports anemia as a rare side effect of interferon. Interferon has been shown to lower blood platelet counts and cause anemia. How this occurs is not known.

    Liver and Central Nervous System Damage

    • Another serious, but rare, side effect of interferon is its propensity to promote liver and central nervous system damage. As discussed PetPlace.com, not much is known about the safety of interferon or how it really works; consequently, the cause of these serious side effects remains a mystery, despite their real possibility.

    Cautions

    • Although interferon is used to treat the feline autoimmune deficiency syndrome virus, it should not be prescribed for cats that already suffer from a pre-existing autoimmune disease, heart or lung disease, the herpes virus or neurological disorders. If the cat is on another antiviral medication, interaction with interferon might be negative and, of course, do not give interferon to felines with allergies to it.