Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Evaluation of predictors of the development of azotemia in cats.
- Journal:
- Journal of veterinary internal medicine
- Year:
- 2009
- Authors:
- Jepson, R E et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Basic Science · United States
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common issue in older cats, especially those aged nine years or more. This study looked at healthy older cats to see if certain factors could predict if they would develop azotemia, which is a buildup of waste products in the blood, within a year. Researchers followed 118 cats, and by the end of the study, about 30% of those monitored developed azotemia. They found that higher levels of creatinine in the blood and protein in the urine were linked to a higher risk of developing this condition. Overall, the study highlights that many previously healthy older cats are at risk for azotemia, particularly if they have protein in their urine.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common condition in geriatric cats. Diagnosis is based on the development of persistent azotemia with inadequate urine concentrating ability. Biomarkers are sought for early identification. HYPOTHESIS: Clinical variables, urine concentrating ability, proteinuria, and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) index will be predictive of cats at risk of developing azotemia within 12 months. ANIMALS: Client-owned nonazotemic geriatric (>or=9 years) cats. METHODS: Prospective longitudinal cohort study monitoring a population of healthy nonazotemic geriatric cats every 6 months until development of azotemia, death, or the study end point (September 30, 2007). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess baseline clinical, biochemical, and urinalysis variables, urine protein to creatinine ratio (UP/C), urine albumin to creatinine (UA/C) ratio, and urinary NAG index as predictors of development of azotemia. RESULTS: One hundred and eighteen cats were recruited with a median age of 13 years. Ninety-five cats (80.5%) had been followed or reached the study end point by 12 months of which 30.5% (29/95) developed azotemia. Age, systolic blood pressure, plasma creatinine concentration, urine specific gravity, UP/C, UA/C, and NAG index were significantly associated with development of azotemia in the univariable analysis (P<or=.05). However, in the multivariable analysis, only plasma creatinine concentration with either UP/C (Model 1) or UA/C (Model 2) remained significant. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This study demonstrates a high incidence of azotemia in a population of previously healthy geriatric cats. Proteinuria at presentation was significantly associated with development of azotemia although causal association cannot be inferred. Evaluation of NAG index offered no additional benefit.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19566846/