When an animal’s body expresses nutritional need, the gastrointestinal hormone ghrelin is secreted to signal the central nervous system to increase food intake. Ghrelin is secreted during periods of hunger, but also in acute stress situations (1).
Over time the plasma levels of ghrelin decrease and the stimulation for food intake lessens. There are numerous reasons that lead to a decrease in ghrelin and consequently, a reduction in weight, including chronic diseases, long-term stress, surgery, and adverse reactions to medications.
Chronic weight loss can be detrimental to the healing process and survival rate. The FDA-approved medication capromorelin is a ghrelin receptor agonist that increases appetite stimulation in dogs (Entyce®) and cats (Elura®). Both medications contain the same active ingredient and are manufactured by the same pharmaceutical company. Other similarities and key differences are denoted in the chart.
- Bouillon-Minois JB, Trousselard M, Thivel D, et al. Ghrelin as a Biomarker of Stress: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 2021;13(3):784. doi:10.3390/nu13030784
- Zollers B, Wofford JA, Heinen E, Huebner M, Rhodes L. A Prospective, Randomized, Masked, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study of Capromorelin in Dogs with Reduced Appetite. J Vet Intern Med. 2016;30(6):1851-1857. doi:10.1111/ jvim.14607
- Wofford JA, Zollers B, Rhodes L, Bell M, Heinen E. Evaluation of the safety of daily administration of capromorelin in cats. J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 2018;41(2):324-333. doi:10.1111/jvp.12459
By Alexandria Arnett
