Tanya

 

 

 

 

 

TANYA'S

COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO

FELINE CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE

 

Please note that all payments are made in US dollars and

are not tax deductible since I am a private individual

 

Just Diagnosed? Click Here

 

 

   

FELINE RESEARCH, INCLUDING PARTICIPATION OPPORTUNITIES

 

ON THIS PAGE:


Pros and Cons of Participation


USA


Other Countries


At Home Studies and Surveys


Donating to CKD Research


 

 

HOME


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 Cat Food Brands: Helpfulness Ratings


USA Cat Food Brands: Contact Details


 

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


Contact Me


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 (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.

 

Back to Page Index

This page last updated: 01 March 2025

Links on this page last checked: 19 February 2025

 

   

*****

 

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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