Urology/Renal Medicine

RenalTech’s algorithm relies on six feline health measurements — all collected during normal routine chemistry — to predict whether a cat will develop chronic kidney disease within two years.

Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is a general term used to describe conditions affecting the bladder or urethra of cats; it is not a syndrome or specific diagnosis. It has been reported that between 4.5% and 8% of cats presenting to veterinary practices or teaching hospitals have FLUTD.

Providing an environment that is compatible with cats’ behavioral needs often seems to mitigate the effects of at least some manifestations of Pandora syndrome in addition to promoting their general health and welfare.

Cardiovascular and renal disease are commonly diagnosed in cats and dogs; incidence increases with patient age. Each condition is irreversible and progressive. These conditions are particularly challenging when they occur simultaneously; what is good for one system may be counterproductive for the other. In this article, we describe the physiologic interactions between these 2 systems, disease classifications, techniques for detecting one condition in the presence of the other, and strategies for managing patients with these co-existing conditions.

Urethral incompetence is the most common reason for urinary incontinence in the dog. Management of these patients can start out as …

The International Renal Interest Society (IRIS, iris-kidney.com) was created to advance the scientific understanding of kidney disease in small animals and, specifically, to help practitioners better diagnose, understand, and treat canine and feline renal disease.

Feline UO is a treatable emergency, with a survival rate to discharge higher than 90%, despite the fact that it is potentially life threatening due to severe electrolyte and acid–base imbalances secondary to acute postrenal azotemia/uremia.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common cause of decreased quality of life as well as death in dogs and cats. The prevalence of CKD has been estimated to be 0.5% to 1% in dogs and 1% to 3% in cats,1,2 but it increases with age, especially in cats. An estimated 30% to 50% of cats 15 years of age or older have CKD.

Chronic kidney disease is an irreversible and progressive deterioration of renal function; however, through early diagnosis and staging, prompt management can delay disease progression. Each aspect of treatment is comprehensively covered in this article.