Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Chronic kidney disease in cats in Greece - symptoms and quality
By Chortara, Ioulia et al.·Published in Veterinary Sciences·2026·Asclepius One Health Platform, 10671 Athens, Greece·View original on Crossref →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: A Real-World Data Analysis on Feline Chronic Kidney Disease in Greece: Clinical Profiles, Comorbidities, and Quality of Life
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A study found that chronic kidney disease (CKD) is very common in older cats, affecting up to 80% of them and leading to various health issues. In a group of 208 cats with CKD, many also had other health problems, with dental disease and anemia being the most frequent. As the disease progressed, the cats' quality of life significantly declined, especially in areas like emotional well-being. The research suggests that identifying CKD early and managing other health issues can greatly improve the overall well-being of affected cats.
People also search for: cat chronic kidney disease symptoms · cat anemia treatment · improving quality of life in cats with kidney disease
Abstract
Feline chronic kidney disease (fCKD) is highly prevalent in geriatric cats, affecting up to 80%, and is a leading cause of morbidity in cats with a challenging diagnosis. This study aimed to characterize the clinical profiles, comorbidities, and quality of life of cats with fCKD in real-world clinical settings in Greece. Real-world data from 208 client-owned cats with fCKD were analyzed, including demographics, clinical findings, body and muscle condition scores, and practitioner-assigned stage according to International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) guidelines. Additionally, owners completed the VetMetrica™ Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) questionnaire. Associations between comorbidities, IRIS stage, and HRQL domains were assessed using appropriate statistical analysis. At least one comorbidity was present in 66.8% of cats, with oral/dental disease (29.81%) and anemia (15.38%) being the most common. HRQL scores declined significantly with advancing IRIS stage (p < 0.001). Notably, anemia showed the strongest association with reduced HRQL across all domains, including an 18.79-point reduction in Emotional Wellbeing (p < 0.001). Oral/dental disease was also significantly associated with poorer Comfort (OR 5.16) and Emotional Wellbeing (OR 7.10). Overall, comorbidities independently contributed to impaired quality of life in cats with fCKD. These findings highlight that early detection of fCKD and targeted management of comorbidities alongside renal care may substantially improve patient welfare.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on Crossref: https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13020192