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Pros and Cons of Participation
USA
Other Countries
At Home Studies and
Surveys
Donating to CKD Research

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Site Overview
Just Diagnosed? What You Need to Know
First
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
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Helpfulness Ratings
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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
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USA
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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
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SITEOWNER (HELEN)
My
Three CKD Cats: Tanya, Thomas and Ollie
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Feline Research Participation
Opportunities
Overview
-
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 (although
University of California at Davis has
formed a new college specialising in nephrology and urology). 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.
Veterinary Clinical Trials is a database of trials across the USA and Canada.
Current Studies in
the USA
Ammonia Excretion:
NC
State University
Ammonia excretion, a novel biomarker and therapeutic
target for feline CKD
This study is looking at the use of ammonia excretion as an early
detector for CKD in cats. The study closes to new entrants on 28 August
2026.
Biomarker Assessments: University of Pennsylvania
Untargeted plasma metabolomics and biomarker DNA and microbiome assessments in cats with and without chronic kidney disease
This study is aiming to measure biomarkers unique to CKD cats.
Porus One and Uraemic Toxins: Texas A&M University
Evaluating a treatment for the management of
feline chronic kidney disease
This is a study into the use of
Renaltec, available
to cats in Stages 2-4
CKD at Texas A&M University, though it closed to new entrants on 1 March
2025.
Here is a report of one cat's experiences during the trial.
Rapamycin and CKD: Ohio State University
Rapamycin clinical trial for cats with chronic
kidney disease
There is some evidence that rapamycin may reduce fibrosis (scarring in the
kidneys, which is commonly seen in kidneys affected by CKD). The
medication has been deemed eligible for the Expanded Conditional
Approval Pathway by the FDA, but research continues. This trial is for
cats in Stages 2 or 3.
There are also opportunities to participate in the trial in a number of
other locations, including Colorado, Louisiana and Wisconsin. See
CKD in
cats for more information.
Rapamycin also seems to be of benefit to cats with
hypertrophic
cardiomyopathy.
Amyloidosis: University of Missouri and
Italy
Amyloidosis study
A research project at the Lyons Feline Genetics
Laboratory at the University of Missouri in the USA, and also in 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
Missing Kidney (Renal Aplasia): University of Missouri
Ragdoll uterus/kidney project
In recent years there have been an
increasing number of reports of Ragdolls with one missing kidney (renal
aplasia). In the case of female cats, they have also been missing
part of the uterus (womb) on the same side of the body. The study is
aiming to find out whether this is an inherited defect.
Feline Cognitive Dysfunction:
University of Wisconsin
Feline cognitive dysfunction
This study is rather sadly looking to examine the brains in particular of
cats over the age of 12 who are scheduled for euthanasia at the
University of Wisconsin.
Studies in Countries Other Than the USA
See immediately
above for details of the amyloidosis study which is available in Europe.
At Home Studies and Surveys
The beauty of surveys is that you can take part wherever you are in the
world.
Photobiomodulation (Red Light or Laser
Therapy): At Home
Photobiomodulation treatment: red light therapy for feline chronic
kidney disease
Red light therapy has been used for many years to reduce inflammation and
pain and promote healing, including in cats with
arthritis.
Laser therapy may help with kidney function,
although there is little evidence of its use in cats
with CKD.
Low-level laser therapy
decreases renal interstitial fibrosis
(2012) Oliveira FA, Moraes AC, Paiva AP, Schinzel V,
Correa-Costa M, Semedo P, Castoldi A, Cenedeze MA,
Oliveira RS, Bastos MG, Câmara NO, Sanders-Pinheiro
H Photomedicine and Laser Surgery 30(12)
pp705–713 found that rats who received laser therapy
on an artificially blocked kidney had less fibrosis
and fewer inflammatory markers than rats who did not
receive laser therapy.
Therapeutic potential of photobiomodulation for
chronic kidney disease (2022) Bian J, Liebert
A, Bicknell B, Chen X-M, Huang C & Pollock CA International
Journal of Molecular Science 23(14) p8043
is a later study that says there is only limited
evidence but that "PBM hsd the potential to have a
positive effect in mitigating CKD."
The current study is building upon
earlier research at Brockton Animal Hospital into the use of red
light laser for CKD. The current trial is also led by Dr Ron Hirschberg
of Brockton Animal Hospital, but the treatment is now provided by
MedcoVet as part of a trial examining the effectiveness of the
treatment for home use.
In a rather unusual move (most research studies are free to participants),
you have to pay to rent the equipment, for an upfront cost of around
US$200 followed by 23 monthly payments of around $50 (so you will be
spending around US£1600 in total), but at the end of the two year trial
the equipment is yours. You can, however, withdraw from the trial at any
time and return the device.
One member of Tanya's CKD Support Group was told that in principle you can
also participate in the trial if you are in Europe, but the cost seems
to be in the region of US$1500 upfront plus delivery and customs
charges.
Laser products used in vet offices are Class 4, but I understand
this product is only Class 1. The manufacturer of this device claims
their product can better penetrate fur than other Class 1 models, though
I do not know the basis for that claim. Initially you use the device for
around 20 minutes a day, reducing to every other day.
Apparently initial reports are encouraging but this is an unorthodox study
and certainly not cheap/
Home Biomarkers Testing
At home health monitor for cats survey The
Tyndall Institute in Ireland is working on the development of a
device that can measure biomarkers such as creatinine without the
need for a blood draw and that therefore could potentially even be
performed at home.
It is a microneedle-based device that takes measurements through the
skin, on a similar principle to how a continuous glucose monitoring
device for diabetes works (though continuous measurements will not
be taken) and is completely painless. It is hoped it can eventually
be used as a screening tool in clinics to help identify CKD earlier
in cats who do not get bloods taken as standard, but also as an at
home device for owners to track its progression and treatment.
The Institute hopes to be able to provide a commercial device
sometime in 2026.
Owner
Perspective Survey
TriviumVet, the manufacturer of rapamycin (see above),
is seeking input from CKD caregivers
here.
Donations to Feline
CKD Research
Buttons Feline Kidney
Research Fund
Buttons Feline Chronic Kidney Disease Research
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.
Buttons annual report 2023 discusses
some of the research supported by the fund.
Foundation for Feline
Renal Research
The Foundation for Feline Renal Research
has funded two studies at the Royal Veterinary College in
the UK, one into
blood pressure and renal traits in domestic
cats and one
exploring the role of chronic inflammation in the
pathogenesis of feline CKD.
First genome-wide association study investigating
blood pressure and renal traits in domestic cats
(2022) Jepson RE, Warren H, Wallace MD, Syme HM, Elliott J & Munroe PB
Scientific Reports 12 1899 reports on the first study.
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This page last updated: 01 March 2025
Links on this page last checked: 19 February 2025
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