title: Feline acute kidney injury: 2. Approach to diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Feline acute kidney injury (AKI) is a commonly recognized problem in small animal practice that requires prompt diagnosis and directed therapy. There are many treatment methods with which practitioners should be familiar, including medical options, surgical interventions and renal replacement therapy (dialysis). It is important to know which option is most appropriate for each cause and stage of AKI to deliver the most effective therapy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  AKI can cause vague clinical signs, but a vast array of life-threatening sequelae. Rapid recognition of potential complications and knowledge of treatment options is imperative for successful management. Feline patients also require an understanding of their unique physiology as it relates to the therapeutic plan.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  This two-part review article is directed at small animal practitioners as well as specialists. Part 2 discusses the diagnosis of AKI in cats using physical examination findings, clinicopathologic results and imaging modalities. The treatment of AKI and its sequelae is also reviewed, with information on recent advances in this area.
  
  
  METHODS
  While there is very limited data comparing the outcomes of various treatment options, there is literature addressing the use of several medications, as well as renal replacement therapy, in cats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine, Madison, Wisconsin, USA. KMonaghan@svm.vetmed.wisc.edu
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Monaghan
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nolan
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Labato
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000145:classification / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D002415:Cats; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D003956:Dialysis / Q000662:veterinary; D019468:Disease Management; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology; D007677:Kidney Function Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000662:veterinary*; D011379:Prognosis; D017582:Renal Replacement Therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D014730:Veterinary Medicine / Q000379:methods