Chronic renal disease (CRD), also known as kidney disease, is a leading cause of death in cats. It's one of the most common senior diseases with an estimated 30 percent of older cats being affected. Sadly, many owners don't realize their cats are sick because this subtle disease shows few clinical signs early on.

In addition, due to testing limitations, CRD can currently be diagnosed only after the majority of the kidney tissue has been destroyed. This late diagnosis limits a veterinarian's ability to intervene at an early stage when the progression of the disease could be slowed. The detection of microalbuminuria in the urine recently has been promoted as an indicator of early CRD in cats; however, up to 70 percent of healthy, geriatric cats may test positive even though they don't have renal failure. An alternative quantitative laboratory test that can detect disease with greater sensitivity is needed.

Currently funded research by MAF is evaluating a simple urine test that measures the concentration of a urine compound called felinine and its by-products. This could provide an early diagnostic test that would detect disease before clinical signs are apparent, allowing cats to be treated earlier and increasing their long-term survivability.

Search our animal health studies database for more MAF successes and current studies for cats.