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What is
Polycystic Kidney Disease - PKD?
Polycystic Kidney Disease is an inherited
kidney disease that has been found in Persian/Exotic cats. Feline Polycystic
Kidney Disease (PKD) has been reported sporadically in the literature since
1967, but actual study into this renal disease did not begin until 1990. In1990
an affected female Persian was referred to the Ohio State University teaching
hospital with symptoms of renal failure. Offspring of this female were used to
start a colony and begin research into this condition.
How is PKD diagnosed?
Ultrasound or now the new swab test from
UC Davis
what does this disease cause in cats?
Polycystic Kidney Disease is a slowly
progressive disease. It clinically shows up later in life (late onset), with
enlarged kidneys and kidney dysfunction on average at seven years of age. The
condition is inherited and cysts are present from birth. The size of cysts can
vary from less than one millimeter to several centimeters, with older animals
having larger and more numerous cysts. Problems occur when these cysts start to
grow and progressively enlarge the kidney, reducing the kidneys' ability to
function properly. The ultimate end is kidney failure.
Some of the clinical signs are depression,
lack of or reduced appetite, excessive thirst, excessive urination and weight
loss. There is a marked variability in how quickly individual cats succumb, with
the possibility of the symptoms of PKD developing late enough in life that the
cat can die of other causes before kidney failure. However, kidney failure is
certain when and if the cysts grow and cause problems. Info from: