Tanya

 

TANYA'S

COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO

FELINE CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE

24 July 2000 - 24 July 2020

Twenty years online!

(Not tax deductible since I am a private individual)

 

 

 

 

FELINE RESEARCH PARTICIPATION OPPORTUNITIES

 

ON THIS PAGE:


Pros and Cons of Participation


USA


Other Countries


Donating to CKD Research


 

 

HOME


Site Overview


Just Diagnosed? What You Need to Know First


Search This Site


 

WHAT IS CKD?


What Happens in CKD


Causes of CKD


How Bad is It?


Is There Any Hope?


Acute Kidney Injury


 

KEY ISSUES: PROLONGING LIFE


Phosphorus Control


Hypertension

(High Blood Pressure)


Proteinuria


Anaemia


Potassium Imbalances


Pyelonephritis (Kidney Infections) and Urinary Tract Infections NEW


Metabolic Acidosis


Kidney Stones


 

KEY ISSUES: HELPING YOUR CAT FEEL BETTER


Nausea, Vomiting, Appetite Loss and Excess Stomach Acid


Maintaining Hydration


The B Vitamins (Including Methylcobalamin)


Constipation


 

CAT FOOD DATA


Ways of Assessing Food Content, Including What is Dry Matter Analysis


How to Use the Food Data Tables


USA Canned Food Data


USA Dry Food Data


USA Cat Food Brands: Helpfulness Ratings


USA Cat Food Brands: Contact Details


USA Food Data Book


 

SUPPORT


Coping with CKD


Tanya's Support Group


Success Stories


 

SYMPTOMS


Important: Crashing


Alphabetical List of Symptoms and Treatments


Fluid and Urinary  Imbalances (Dehydration, Overhydration and Urinary Issues)


Waste Product Regulation Imbalances (Vomiting, Appetite Loss, Excess Stomach Acid, Gastro-intestinal Problems, Mouth Ulcers Etc.)


Phosphorus and Calcium Imbalances


Miscellaneous Symptoms (Pain, Hiding Etc.)


 

DIAGNOSIS: WHAT DO ALL THE TEST RESULTS MEAN?


Early Detection


Blood Chemistry: Kidney Function, Potassium, Other Tests (ALT, Amylase, (Cholesterol, Etc.)


Calcium, Phosphorus, Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) and Secondary Hyperparathyroidism


Complete Blood Count (CBC): Red and White Blood Cells: Anaemia and Infection


Urinalysis (Urine Tests)


Other Tests: Ultrasound, Biopsy, X-rays etc.


Renomegaly (Enlarged Kidneys)


Which Tests to Have and Frequency of Testing


Factors that Affect Test Results


Normal Ranges


International and US Measuring Systems


 

TREATMENTS


Which Treatments are Essential


Fluid and Urinary Issues (Fluid Retention, Infections, Incontinence, Proteinuria)


Waste Product Regulation (Mouth Ulcers, GI Bleeding, Antioxidants, Adsorbents, Azodyl, Astro's CRF Oil)


Phosphorus, Calcium and Secondary Hyperparathyroidism (Calcitriol)


Phosphorus Binders


Steroids, Stem Cell Transplants and Kidney Transplants


Antibiotics and Painkillers


Holistic Treatments (Including Slippery Elm Bark)


ESAs (Aranesp, Epogen etc.) for Severe Anaemia


General Health Issues in a CKD Cat: Fleas, Arthritis, Dementia, Vaccinations


Tips on Medicating Your Cat


Obtaining Supplies Cheaply in the UK, USA and Canada


Working with Your Vet and Recordkeeping


 

DIET & NUTRITION


Nutritional Requirements of CKD Cats


The B Vitamins (Including Methylcobalamin)


What to Feed (and What to Avoid)


Persuading Your Cat to Eat


2007 Food Recall USA


 

FLUID THERAPY


Oral Fluids


Intravenous Fluids


Subcutaneous Fluids


Tips on Giving Subcutaneous Fluids


How to Give Subcutaneous Fluids with a Giving Set


How to Give Subcutaneous Fluids with a Syringe


Subcutaneous Fluids - Winning Your Vet's Support


Dialysis


 

RELATED DISEASES


Heart Problems


Hyperthyroidism


Diabetes


Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)


Pancreatitis


Dental Problems


Anaesthesia


 

OBTAINING SUPPLIES CHEAPLY


UK


USA Online


USA Local (Fluids)


Canada


 

SAYING GOODBYE


The Final Hours


Other People's Losses


Coping with Your Loss


 

MISCELLANEOUS


Prevention


Feline CKD Research, Including Participation Opportunities


CKD Research in Other Species


Share This Site: A Notice for Your Vet's Bulletin Board or Your Local Pet Shop


Canine Kidney Disease


Other Illnesses (Cancer, Liver) and Behavioural Problems


Diese Webseite auf Deutsch


 

SITEOWNER (HELEN)


My Three CKD Cats: Tanya, Thomas and Ollie


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Home > Feline Research Participation Opportunities

 


Overview


  • There used to be very little research into feline CKD but fortunately that is changing.

  • It is sometimes possible to participate in research studies, both to help your cat and to help other CKD cats who should benefit from the research findings.

  • With some studies, you will need to attend the research facility, normally one of the main US vet schools. However, distance participation is possible with some of the studies.


Pros and Cons of Participating in Research Studies


 

There are often some advantages to participating in research studies. Your cat will usually receive a number of tests, such as bloodwork or ultrasound, for free. Sometimes you receive other types of payment, such as cash or free food. And of course your cat will receive whatever treatment is being tested for free. This may even be a treatment that is not yet commercially available. Plus participating in research can help develop treatments that help other cats in the future.

 

On the downside, you will usually have to find the time to go for regular check ups, which are sometimes as often as weekly, and for some studies your cat will need to be hospitalised. You also  need to be aware that your cat may receive a placebo, i.e. a dummy treatment that does not contain the active ingredient. If, for example, you are participating in a trial of a treatment for nausea, 50% of the cats participating will usually receive the treatment, but the other 50% will be receiving a placebo. You will not normally know which group your cat is in, so your cat might be suffering from nausea and receiving nothing to help.

 

University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center explains more about how clinical trials work and the implications of taking part in them.

 


Studies in the USA


 

There are thirty accredited vet schools in the USA, but not all of them conduct studies into feline health. I check them all at intervals to see what research they are conducting. Below I list the current trials I am aware of that may be of use to CKD cats.

 

American Veterinary Medical Association

maintains a database of trials across the USA and Canada.

 


Current Studies in the USA



Anaemia Gene Study


 

CKD cats are prone to developing anaemia because the kidneys produce a hormone (erythropoietin) which stimulates the bone marrow to make red blood cells, but damaged kidneys find it hard to do this, so anaemia results. There are treatments currently available, including the use of human erythropoietin, but they have potential downsides, so there is interest in finding safer alternatives.

 

ScoutBio is running a trial for a gene treatment for CKD-related anaemia at a number of locations throughout the USA. The study requires one injection, which it is hoped will enable the cat's body to start producing erythropoietin again so the anaemia resolves permanently. The cat will be monitored for 70 days following the injection.

 

A much earlier trial, Expression of erythropoietin in cats treated with a recombinant adeno-associated viral vector (2005) Walker MC, Mandell TC, Crawford PC, Simon Gg, Cahill KS, Fernandes PJ, MacLeod JN, Byrne BJ & Levy JK American Journal of Veterinary Research 66(3) pp450-456, gave "intramuscular injections of of a recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 2 (rAAV2) vector containing feline erythropoietin cDNA" into ten healthy seven week old kittens (poor babies). One of the kittens developed PRCA, a potential problem with erythropoietin too; kittens receiving lower doses had no response; whereas some of the kittens developed HCT levels (a measure of anaemia) that were too high, and removing the part of the muscle where the injection was given did not resolve the problem in every case. I presume this new trial is not anticipating such problems but you might wish to talk to the relevant parties before pursuing this option.

 

Animal Medical Center, New York City


Pilot study to assess the safety and effectivenees of a novel injectable gene therapy (SB-001) for cats with chronic kidney disease-associated anemia that replaces the function of feline erythropoietin

 

AMC describes this study as "utilizing feline DNA transgene construct expressing erythropoeitin for the treatment of chronic kidney disease associated anemia in cats." I believe it is part of the ScoutBio trial discussed above.

 

NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine


Pilot study to evaluate the effectiveness and field safety of SB-001 for the treatment of anemia associated with chronic kidney disease in cats

 

This is described as "a new therapy." It is a one-off injection followed by monitoring for 70 days, so I believe it is part of the ScoutBio trial discussed above.

 

The trial closes on 1 August 2021.

 


Feline Erythropoietin for Anaemia


 

This study is looking at a form of feline erythropoietin, unlike the studies above which are implanting a gene.

 

Your cat will receive an injection of feline erythropoietin every week for the first four weeks, then rechecks and further injections as appropriate every two weeks for the next eight weeks. If your cat achieves a PCV of 35%, the frequency of the injections may be reduced. For the next three months your cat will be checked monthly. All costs and blood tests associated with the trial are covered, and if your cat completes the full 24 weeks of the trial, you will receive US$500.

 

The study is running at three universities but they have slightly different participation criteria.

 

University of Georgia


Dose-ranging efficacy study in cats with non-regenerative anemia due to chronic kidney disease (IRIS stages 2 and 3)

 

University of California at Davis


New treatment for anemia associated with chronic kidney disease in cats

 

This study appears to be largely the same as the feline erythropoietin trial at the Universities of Georgia and Minnesota. One potential stumbling block is that cats receiving daily fluid therapy are not eligible.

 

University of Minnesota


Feline free study

 

This study appears to be largely the same as the feline erythropoietin trial at the Universities of Georgia and California at Davis. Cats receiving daily fluid therapy are not eligible.

 

Omeprazole at NC State University


 

Evaluation of the effect of omeprazole on clinical signs in cats with chronic kidney disease

 

Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor which may be used in cats with appetite loss, nausea and vomiting. The study aims to assess the effectiveness of omeprazole in CKD cats for reducing these symptoms.

 

There is more information about omeprazole here.

 

Enrolment ends on 31 July 2020.

 


Antibiotic (enrofloxacin or Baytril) and CKD: University of California at Davis


 

Antibiotics and kidney disease in cats

 

This study is looking at whether cats with CKD eliminate enrofloxacin (Baytril) more slowly than healthy cats. The cat will receive one injection of enrofloxacin and will have to stay overnight for testing purposes.

 


Variations in Bloodwork: Oregon State University


 

Variation in serum chemistry analytes in cats with chronic kidney disease

 

This study is looking at how routine bloodwork varies in CKD cats. Your cat would receive weekly blood tests for six weeks.

 


Aluminium Concentrations: Ohio State University


 

Aluminum concentrations in cats with kidney disease

 

Since phosphorus levels often rise in CKD cats, treatments called phosphorus binders are often necessary, and one commonly used phosphorus binder is aluminium hydroxide. There is some concern about the possible risk of aluminium toxicity in cats using aluminium hydroxide based binders, but it is not known what is a normal aluminium level in cats. This study aims to ascertain normal blood aluminium levels in healthy cats and CKD cats, and check the effect of aluminium hydroxide binders on blood aluminium levels.

 

Enrolment ends on 01 February 2021

 


Aluminium Food Cans: Ohio State University


 

Effect of aluminum food cans on cats with kidney disease

 

Since phosphorus levels often rise in CKD cats, treatments called phosphorus binders are often necessary, and one commonly used phosphorus binder is aluminium hydroxide. There is some concern about the possible risk of aluminium toxicity in cats using aluminium hydroxide based binders. This study aims to determine blood aluminium levels in CKD cats to see if diet influences them.

 

Enrolment ends on 01 February 2021.

 

Amyloidosis: University of Missouri


 

Lyons Feline Genetics Laboratory at the University of Missouri

 

A research project in the USA and Europe where you can provide blood or buccal samples from Siamese and Oriental cats to assist with research into feline amyloidosis.

 

Prof Maria Longeri

University of Milan

maria.longeri@unimi.it

 


Studies in Countries Other Than the USA


 

See immediately above for details of the amyloidosis study which is available in Europe.

 

Please see below for information about studies at the Royal Veterinary College in the UK.

 


Donations to Feline CKD Research


 

Buttons Feline Kidney Research Fund


Buttons Feline Kidney Research Fund is a fund set up to finance CKD research by Dr Jessica Quimby, the leading researcher into CKD in cats. Dr Quimby was previously at Colorado State University and is now at Ohio State University, where the fund is based.

 

Foundation for Feline Renal Research


The Foundation for Feline Renal Research is currently funding two studies at the Royal Veterinary College in the UK;

 

Unravelling the genetic basis of blood pressure and kidney function in the cat is a 2018 update on the first study.

 

Exploring the role of chronic inflammation in the pathogenesis of feline chronic kidney disease reports on a newer study launched in 2019.

 

Back to Page Index

This page last updated: 30 July 2020

Links on this page last checked: 15 May 2020

 

   

*****

 

TREATING YOUR CAT WITHOUT VETERINARY ADVICE CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

 

I have tried very hard to ensure that the information provided in this website is accurate, but I am NOT a vet, just an ordinary person who has lived through CKD with three cats. This website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to be used to diagnose or treat any cat. Before trying any of the treatments described herein, you MUST consult a qualified veterinarian and obtain professional advice on the correct regimen for your cat and his or her particular requirements; and you should only use any treatments described here with the full knowledge and approval of your vet. No responsibility can be accepted.

 

If your cat appears to be in pain or distress, do not waste time on the internet, contact your vet immediately.

 

*****

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