Chronic kidney disease in dogs and cats – retrospective study and literature review

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined as the structural and/or functional impairment of one or both kidneys of 3 or more months duration, and resulting in irreversible loss of renal functions. The International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) classifies CKD into 4 stages according to levels of serum creatinine and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), Urinary protein/creatinine ratio and systemic arterial pressure are subcriteria used in stating the disease. We reviewed the records of 50 dogs and 67 cats diagnosed with CKD. The staging criteria was recorded in 39.5% of the dogs (n = 32), and 60.5% of the cats (n = 49). Stage 1 CKD was diagnosed in 10 dogs (12.4%), while stage 2, 3, and 4 were diagnosed in respectively 4 (4.9%), 7 (8.7%), and 11 (13.6%) of the dogs. In cats, Stage 1 CKD was diagnosed in 8 (9.8%), and stages 2, 3, and 4 were diagnosed in respectively 18 (22.2%), 13 (16%), and 10 (12,4%) of the cats.