Breakthrough remote-care protocol delivers disease-modifying therapy to feline heart patients nationwide

Petspan, the veterinary telemedicine division of longevity health company Healthspan, today announced the launch of the industry's first remote-care protocol delivering rapamycin therapy to cats diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

HCM affects up to 15% of the feline population and has historically lacked disease-modifying treatments. Until now, veterinarians could only offer "watchful waiting" for asymptomatic cats or symptomatic management once heart failure develops—leaving millions of cats and their families facing an often fatal disease with no preventive options. Recent university-led studies, including the RAPACAT and HALT-HCM trials, demonstrated that once-weekly rapamycin can reverse left-ventricular hypertrophy and improve diastolic function with an excellent safety profile.

In the landmark RAPACAT trial, cats receiving low-dose rapamycin showed significantly reduced maximum heart wall thickness compared to placebo after 180 days, with owners typically seeing measurable cardiac improvements within 8-12 weeks.

"Petspan was created to translate the most rigorous longevity science into practical care for pets," said Daniel Tawfik, CEO of Petspan & Healthspan. "Our HCM protocol gives cat parents access to a therapy supported by peer-reviewed research demonstrating efficacy, pioneering the clinical application of rapamycin in veterinary cardiology while removing geographic barriers to this cutting-edge treatment."

The comprehensive protocol combines virtual cardiology consultations with board-certified specialists, continuous asynchronous monitoring through secure e-visits, and pharmacy fulfillment of customized rapamycin formulations—including both compounded liquid rapamycin and enteric-coated rapamycin to maximize bioavailability—dosed according to each patient's weight and disease stage.

Dr. Stephanie Sheen, DVM, Chief Veterinary Officer at Petspan, explained the scientific foundation: "The mTOR pathway is a central driver of maladaptive cardiac growth in HCM. Rapamycin's targeted inhibition offers genuine disease modification rather than merely managing symptoms—a paradigm shift in feline cardiology."

Key Protocol Features:

• Expert veterinary care: Licensed veterinarians with specialized expertise in rapamycin therapy for HCM conduct remote consultations
• Precision dosing: Weight and stage-specific rapamycin compounding tailored to each patient's needs
• Comprehensive monitoring: Full telemedicine support from diagnosis through long-term management with continuous care coordination
• Specialized expertise: Direct access to veterinarians with deep expertise in rapamycin utilization for HCM, offering convenient consultation without geographic barriers
• Flexible medication options: Petspan's veterinary pharmacy dispenses rapamycin in both pill and liquid formulations, ensuring administration options that work for every cat and owner

Enrollment opens today for cats residing in California, Delaware, Washington D.C., Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia. Petspan currently operates in these 20 states and D.C., with additional states being added as veterinary licensure expands nationwide.

About Petspan

Petspan is the first veterinary telemedicine platform dedicated to extending the healthspan of dogs and cats through evidence-based longevity protocols. As a sister company to Healthspan, Petspan operates under the same science-first philosophy, offering rapamycin therapy, metabolic testing, and longevity-focused veterinary care. The company is committed to making breakthrough veterinary treatments accessible through innovative telemedicine delivery models.

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Our HCM protocol gives cat parents access to a therapy supported by peer-reviewed research demonstrating efficacy, pioneering the clinical application of rapamycin in veterinary cardiology while removing geographic barriers to this cutting-edge treatment.