Renal Amyloidosis

Tags: Renal Amyloidosis, Health Problems, Health, Kidney Failure

 

An amyloid which means amy (starch) and oid (resembling) is a protein fiber material that does not dissolve, this material is made up primarily of polysaccharids, which is a starch, celluloid and sugar bonds. Amyloids have a waxy clear looking appearance.

Amyloidosis is the major factor in feline diabetes. Amyloidosis occurs when the proteins do not fold properly and therefore do not dissolve in the blood stream as they were meant to do. The accumulations of these protein fibers then accumulate in various organs of the body. When the organs enlarge known as the medical term used is megaly. When amyloidosis is present in the kidneys and the kidney enlarges because it is now impaired it is called renal megaly. It has been noted that dogs have a greater incident of amyliodosis than cats.


The Abyssinian cat, which originated in Egypt is most associated with renal amyliodosis. However, Siamese, Oriental, and shorthaired cats have been found to contract renal amyliodosis as well.

The disease is inherited and affects middle aged and younger cats (one to five years of age). The disease also seems to be familial, meaning it occurs by chance and it also happens to other breeds of cat as well. The amyloid proteins usually appear in the kidneys of Abyssinian cats when they are between nine months and two years old. In mild cases the cat can live a long life and these deposits are never detected. However in severe cases of large deposits - amyliodosis spreads quickly and the cat goes into kidney failure in as little as one year after detection of the amyloid fibers.

Symptoms

Polyuria - Frequent urination

Polydipsia - excessive water consumption

Loss of weight

Lethargy

Bad breath

Diarrhea

vomiting

Poor quality of coat

Anorexia (Loss of appetite)

Diagnosis

The veterinarian will start by taking the cat's history and perform a physical examination which usually reveals dehydration, very small firm kidneys with abnormal beatings or palpitations, discoloration of the mucous membranes, gingivitis and ulcers found on the gums.

Further laboratory investigation detects severe kidney failure from azotemia - evidence of toxins and waste products, uric poisoning, exceedingly high levels of phosphates in the blood (hyperphosphatemia), large amounts of metabolic acids, anemia, abnormal urine production, and excessive amounts of protein in the urine.

The types of diagnostic tools used include, CBC blood test, urine analysis, microscope, fecal analysis, biopsies taking a slice of the kidney, and imaging devices such as ultrasound.

Treatment

There is no particular treatment for renal failure or renal amyliodosis at this time, but some drugs have proved to be somewhat affective. An anti inflammatory drug, DMSO is used to prevent the amyliods and should be administered as early as possible. The drug Cholchicine retards the growth of amyloids after they are already present.

Diets restricting protein intake can also help to slow down the process of renal failure and possibly the production of amyloids in your cat's kidneys.

If renal amyliodosis is discovered early enough, your cat can live a normal life, but you must be vigilante about your cat's health, if any of the symptoms present themselves, even if you do not have an Abyssinian, Siamese, Oriental or short haired cat please take it to the vet immediately.

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