Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Ultrasound shows kidney calcium risks in cats with kidney disease
By Tang, Pak-Kan et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2024·Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Risk factors and implications associated with ultrasound-diagnosed nephrocalcinosis in cats with chronic kidney disease.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 36 cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) were examined using ultrasound, and it was found that 61% had nephrocalcinosis, which is a buildup of calcium in the kidneys. This condition was more common in cats with high calcium levels in their blood. Cats with nephrocalcinosis showed worsening kidney function over time, indicated by rising creatinine and phosphate levels, and they also lost weight. Understanding nephrocalcinosis can help veterinarians manage CKD more effectively in affected cats.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Microscopic nephrocalcinosis is a common pathological feature of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats. Detection of macroscopic nephrocalcinosis using ultrasonography and its implications remain unexplored. OBJECTIVES: Identify risk factors associated with ultrasound-diagnosed nephrocalcinosis and evaluate the influence of nephrocalcinosis on CKD progression. ANIMALS: Thirty-six euthyroid client-owned cats with CKD. METHODS: Prospective cohort study. Cats with CKD with and without ionized hypercalcemia were enrolled for renal ultrasonography. Cats were categorized according to the presence or absence of ultrasound-diagnosed nephrocalcinosis. Binary logistic regression was performed to identify nephrocalcinosis risk factors. The influence of nephrocalcinosis on CKD progression was assessed using linear mixed models. RESULTS: Ultrasound-diagnosed nephrocalcinosis was evident in 61% of CKD cats overall, with increased prevalence (81%) in those with hypercalcemia. At enrollment, higher blood ionized calcium concentration (odds ratio [OR], 1.27 per 0.1 mg/dL; P = .01), plasma phosphate concentration (OR, 1.16 per 0.1 mg/dL; P = .05), plasma creatinine concentration (OR, 1.29 per 0.1 mg/dL; P = .02) and alanine aminotransferase activity (OR, 2.08 per 10 U/L; P = .04) were independent nephrocalcinosis risk factors. The rate of change in log-transformed fibroblast growth factor-23 differed significantly between groups (P = .04). Cats with CKD and nephrocalcinosis had increasing plasma creatinine concentrations (.03 ± .01 mg/dL/month; P = .04) and phosphate concentrations (.06 ± .02 mg/dL/month; P < .001) and decreasing body weight (.02 ± .01 kg/month; P < .001) over time. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Nephrocalcinosis is prevalent in cats with CKD, especially in those with hypercalcemia. This pathological feature appears to be associated with CKD progression in cats.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38438128/