Acute intrinsic renal failure in cats: 32 cases (1997-2004).
OBJECTIVE
To determine patient demographics, clinicopathologic findings, and outcome associated with naturally acquired acute intrinsic renal failure (ARF) in cats.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
32 cats with ARF.


METHODS
Cats were considered to have ARF if they had acute onset of clinical signs (< 7 days), serum creatinine concentration > 2.5 mg/dL (reference range, 0.8 to 2.3 mg/dL) and BUN > 35 mg/dL (reference range, 15 to 34 mg/dL) in conjunction with urine specific gravity < 1.025 or with anuria or increasing serum creatinine concentration despite fluid therapy and normal hydration status, and no signs of chronic renal disease. Cases were excluded if cats had renal calculi or renal neoplasia.


RESULTS
Causes of ARF included nephrotoxins (n = 18 cats), ischemia (4), and other causes (10). Eighteen cats were oliguric. For each unit (mEq/L) increase in initial potassium concentration, there was a 57% decrease in chance of survival. Low serum albumin or bicarbonate concentration at initial diagnosis was a negative prognostic indicator for survival. Initial concentrations of BUN, serum creatinine, and other variables were not prognostic. Seventeen (53%) cats survived, of which 8 cats had resolution of azotemia and 9 cats were discharged from the hospital with persistent azotemia.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggested that survival rates of cats with ARF were similar to survival rates in dogs and that residual renal damage persisted in approximately half of cats surviving the initial hospitalization.
Worwag
Stefanie
S
Animal Medical Center, 510 E 62nd St, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Langston
Cathy E
CE
D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000097:blood / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D053099:Azotemia / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary*; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000401:mortality*; D002415:Cats; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003404:Creatinine