What’s new in chronic kidney disease (CKD) in dogs and cats

ChronicChronic refers to a condition or disease that is long-lasting or permanent. Chronic diseases often develop slowly and can lead to persistent or recurring health problems over time. kidney disease, or CKD (chronicChronic refers to a condition or disease that is long-lasting or permanent. Chronic diseases often develop slowly and can lead to persistent or recurring health problems over time. kidney disease), is a progressiveProgressive describes a condition or disease that worsens over time. This term is often used to characterize the course of an illness that causes increasingly severe symptoms or damage. damage to the kidney tissue associated with a loss of function. It is one of the most common age-related diseases in dogs and cats. A cure is not possible. Cats older than 10 years are particularly frequently affected. The onset of kidney failureRenal failure is a condition in which the kidneys can no longer adequately perform their function of filtering and excreting waste products from the blood. It can be acute or chronic and requires immediate medical treatment. often dates back years without the owners noticing. New developments in diagnostics and therapyTherapy refers to the treatment of diseases or disorders with the aim of alleviating symptoms, promoting healing, or improving quality of life. Therapies can be medicinal, surgical, or through other medical interventions. show: The earlier CKD is detected, the better the course can be slowed down and the quality of life maintained.

Diagnostics for chronicChronic refers to a condition or disease that is long-lasting or permanent. Chronic diseases often develop slowly and can lead to persistent or recurring health problems over time. kidney disease

In modern diagnostics, one no longer relies only on classic kidney values such as creatinineCreatinine is a waste product that results from the breakdown of creatine, a chemical compound that provides energy in the muscles. The concentration of creatinine in the blood and urine is an important indicator of kidney function. and ureaUrea, also known as carbamide, is a waste product of protein metabolism in the body. It’s formed in the liver and excreted by the kidneys in urine. The urea level in the blood indicates kidney function.. Today, the following are also used:

• SDMA (symmetric dimethylarginine, an early blood marker for kidney filtration)
• UPC ratio (protein-creatinine ratio in urine to assess abnormal proteinProteins are large molecules made up of amino acids and play an essential role in almost all biological processes. They are necessary for building body tissue, the function of the immune system, and as enzymes for metabolic reactions. loss)
• Blood pressure

Together with the classification according to the IRISThe iris is the colored part of the eye that surrounds the pupil. It consists of muscle tissue and adjusts the size of the pupil through its contraction or relaxation to regulate the amount of light that enters the eye. stages (international system for gradingGrading refers to the classification of Tumors based on their cell differentiation and growth pattern. It helps to assess the Aggressiveness of the Tumor and the prognosis for the patient. CKD), the disease can be recorded and treated in a much more targeted manner.

Nutrition for chronicChronic refers to a condition or disease that is long-lasting or permanent. Chronic diseases often develop slowly and can lead to persistent or recurring health problems over time. kidney disease

There have also been some changes in nutrition. Away from extreme proteinProteins are large molecules made up of amino acids and play an essential role in almost all biological processes. They are necessary for building body tissue, the function of the immune system, and as enzymes for metabolic reactions. reduction towards moderate proteinProteins are large molecules made up of amino acids and play an essential role in almost all biological processes. They are necessary for building body tissue, the function of the immune system, and as enzymes for metabolic reactions. restriction with optimal proteinProteins are large molecules made up of amino acids and play an essential role in almost all biological processes. They are necessary for building body tissue, the function of the immune system, and as enzymes for metabolic reactions. quality, consistent phosphorusPhosphorus is a vital mineral found in bones and teeth, playing a central role in energy metabolism and DNA. A balanced phosphorus to calcium ratio is essential for the health of dogs and cats. reduction and adequate energy supply. A special focus today is on muscle massIn pathology, the term “mass” is used to describe an abnormal lump or growth in the body. A mass can form in the skin or subcutaneous tissue, or even inside the body. The causes can be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). (Muscle Condition Score, MCS): Kidney diets should relieve the kidneys without “starving” the animal.

ChronicChronic refers to a condition or disease that is long-lasting or permanent. Chronic diseases often develop slowly and can lead to persistent or recurring health problems over time. kidney disease and effects on the cardiovascular system

Another important aspect is the cardiovascular system. CKD and high blood pressure reinforce each other. With the help of the so-called RAAS blockade (drug inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, e.g. by ACE inhibitorACE inhibitors are medications that inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme, thereby lowering blood pressure. They also have a protective effect on the kidneys. They are used in dogs and cats to treat heart disease, high blood pressure, and certain kidney diseases. or angiotensin receptor blockers such as telmisartan), blood pressure and proteinProteins are large molecules made up of amino acids and play an essential role in almost all biological processes. They are necessary for building body tissue, the function of the immune system, and as enzymes for metabolic reactions. loss in the urine can be better controlled and both the kidneys and heart can be protected.

In the detailed Guides article in the “Knowledge” menu item, we explain what these developments mean in practice, which examinations are useful for older dogs and cats and what a modern CKD therapyTherapy refers to the treatment of diseases or disorders with the aim of alleviating symptoms, promoting healing, or improving quality of life. Therapies can be medicinal, surgical, or through other medical interventions. looks like step by step.

Click here for the Guides article: https://petsvetcheck.de/ratgeber/die-chronische-nierenerkrankung-ckd-gleichermassen-von-bedeutung-fuer-katze-und-hund/