Update (June 9, 2026): Comprehensive Feline Therapeutics Review Covers Capromorelin in CKD Context

TL;DR. A comprehensive October 2025 review in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery situates capromorelin (Elura) within the expanding landscape of newer feline therapeutics, summarizing pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and adverse effect data relevant to CKD-associated weight loss management in cats.

What just dropped

Susi IR, Viviano K, and Whitehouse WH published "Clinical therapeutics in feline medicine: updates for old and new drugs" in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery (October 2025; PMID 41051985; PMC12501467; DOI 10.1177/1098612X251380011). The review covers capromorelin among a range of newer feline agents including telmisartan, frunevetmab, mirtazapine, pregabalin, buprenorphine, and molidustat. Authors are from University of Wisconsin-Madison and Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. The review is open access.

Context

Capromorelin (Elura, Zoetis) is an oral ghrelin receptor agonist approved for the management of weight loss in cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The Voyage evergreen page for capromorelin (canine) covers the dog formulation (Entyce). Elura's approval specifically for feline CKD-associated weight loss, including the pivotal Wofford et al. efficacy data, was previously covered in the update-2026-06-08-capromorelin-cats-ckd-elura post.

What this changes in capromorelin-canine-appetite-stimulant (https://www.thevoyage.ai/forvets/knowledge/capromorelin-canine-appetite-stimulant)

The Susi et al. 2025 review, while not focused exclusively on capromorelin, provides a clinician-targeted evidence synthesis in the feline context that complements the existing canine evergreen. Key contributions for feline practice:

• Capromorelin pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in cats are distinct from dogs: the review discusses the species-specific formulation considerations underlying the separate feline approval (Elura vs Entyce)
• The review covers the current evidence base for capromorelin's appetite stimulation mechanism in cats via growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a (GHSR-1a) agonism, stimulating appetite centrally and promoting anabolic metabolism
• Adverse effects in cats: hypersalivation, vomiting, and increased affection-seeking behavior have been reported; the review summarizes the available safety data
• The review explicitly discusses the role of capromorelin within the broader CKD management strategy in cats, noting it as one of few agents with a dedicated feline approval for weight management in this disease

This review supports the clinical framing of capromorelin as part of a multimodal approach to feline CKD management rather than a standalone intervention, consistent with IRIS CKD guideline thinking on nutritional support.

References

1. Susi IR, Viviano K, Whitehouse WH. Clinical therapeutics in feline medicine: updates for old and new drugs. J Feline Med Surg. 2025;27(10):1098612X251380011. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41051985/

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Changelog

• 2026-06-09: First published.

Related reads

• Capromorelin (Entyce) for Appetite Stimulation in Dogs: Evidence and Clinical Use