Promising new biomarkers to diagnose feline chronic kidney disease

Reported by Phys.org · November 9 at 5:00 PM · Summary by Pawdeck

Researchers at The Ohio State University studied urine from 30 healthy cats and 34 cats with chronic kidney disease, identifying more than 2,000 urinary proteins. One protein, MMP-7, was higher in early-stage cases than in healthy cats, and three protein subgroups stood out in late-stage disease. The work was published in the Journal of Proteome Research.

Background

Chronic kidney disease in cats is common in older animals and is generally irreversible, so earlier detection is often linked to better management. Current tests can be invasive or may only pick up the disease once it is well advanced. Biomarkers are measurable substances in body fluids that can signal disease; research like this is typically a first step before a test is validated and available in clinics.

Why it matters

Early detection of kidney disease can give cats and their owners more time to manage the condition, so better diagnostic tools could matter for aging cats.

What you can do

Ask your veterinarian about routine kidney screening for your cat, especially once it reaches middle age or older, and about urine testing as part of wellness visits.

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Written by Pawdeck from the report by Phys.org. Background is general information, not advice about your pet; if you are worried, call your vet.