Iron supplements for Anemia

My cat has renal failure, RBC is 5.2, HCT is 26.7, HGB is 11.4..
Vet is suggesting epogen but I have read Epogen can have side effects and can quit working for an animal anywhere from 1-4 months of treatment.
I am enquiring about an iron supplement to try first instead of injections, b/c her HCT has not follow under 20 as of yet .

Vet said it was not at crucial stage as of yet so would an iron supplement be ok to try right now , of course with the ok of her vet ?
Also iron, can a different form of iron be compounded that would be more easily absorbed and not cause gastrointestional distress? Or is there only one kind that is always for cats ?
I have read that Ferrous fumarate and ferrous malate are gentler on the gastrointestional tract...

[opus88]

hi Donna, I did some looking around and really couldn't find any info on your question as I imagine you too have found out.
try posting Dr. Osborne on the Holistic Pet site and see what she says, she's been quite helpful with questions I've asked her recently regarding my Nemo.
good luck.
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Holistic-Care-For-Pets/show/372

[opus88]

Donna, I did just find this on a Vet info site.....how reliable a site I don't know, but a start.
http://www.vetinfo.com/iron-supplements-cats.html