HEALTH & WELLNESS

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LIONS FOUNDATION OF CANADA DOG GUIDES

Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides and its founding program, Canine Vision Canada, was established in 1983. It’s the largest school of its kind in Canada with its training school in Oakville and breeding facility in Breslau.

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CKD Risk Factors in Cats

A risk factor is defined as an attribute that is associated with increased risk of an outcome. However, the detection of risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD), which refers to the gradual decline of kidney function over time, is complicated because cats are often taken to the veterinarian when the disease is advanced. It is also difficult to distinguish risk factors from concurrent disease processes associated with aging. Multiple risk factors contribute to the gradual decline in kidney function over time and concurrent diseases could contribute to this process.

RISK FACTORS

At this time, risk factors that have been identified include:

BREED

According to some studies, certain cat breeds are more prone to developing CKD (and other familial diseases). They are Abyssinian, Burmese, Maine Coon, Persian, Ragdoll, Russian Blue and Siamese.

AGE

Although cats can develop CKD at any age, it is more frequent in older cats. However, older cats could also have other age-associated disease processes that might play a role in the development of CKD. Younger cats may develop CKD due to familial renal diseases.

THE PRESENCE OF ONE OR MORE ADDITIONAL DISEASE

Examples of possible comorbidities that have been identified as potential risk factors for development of CKD in cats include:

Hypercalcemia: Excess of calcium in the blood
Cystitis: Inflammation of the urinary bladder often caused by infection
Diabetes: Impaired ability to produce or respond to the hormone insulin
Infectious Disease: A disease caused by microorganisms that invade tissue
Urolithiasis: Formation of stones in the kidney, bladder and/or urinary tract
Hyperthyroidism: Overproduction of a hormone by a gland in the neck (thyroid)
Cardiac Diseases: Heart conditions (diseased vessels, structural problems, blood clots, etc.)
Periodontal Diseases: Serious gum infection that damages gums and can destroy the jawbone

DIET

Some diets have been associated with the development of CKD in cats. In particular, a potassium-depleted, high-protein diet was associated with the development of CKD. Not eating food for the correct life stage may be detrimental. Insufficient food intake is also risky.

DRUGS & TOXINS

Some therapeutic agents seen as risk factors are:

Polymyxins (antibiotics)
Aminoglycosides (antibiotics)
Amphotericin (antifungal medication)
Chemotherapeutics (cancer treatments)
Sulfonamides (synthetic drugs that prevent the multiplication of some pathogenic bacteria)

ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY

Certain primary or secondary diseases can initiate CKD.

Infections
Inflammation
Neoplasia: presence or formation of new, abnormal growth of tissue

OTHER POSSIBLE RISK FACTORS

There are relatively few clinical studies evaluating phenotypic, environmental, or lifestyle risk factors for the development of feline CKD. These variables include:

Sex (m/f)
Environment
Smoke exposure
Lifestyle (indoor/outdoor)
No/infrequent vaccination

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