Tanya's Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic Kidney Disease

Some vets will tell you your cat has CKD based on the symptoms which your cat is exhibiting.
They may well be right, but many of the symptoms of CKD, such as increased thirst and weight-loss, can also be symptoms of other diseases. Therefore, to be completely sure you are dealing with CKD, you really need to have tests run to confirm the diagnosis.
The various test results will also tell you and your vet where any imbalances exist, which will help you to decide on the best treatments.
Most vets use the blood chemistry panel to check kidney function.
They may then do additional tests to look for infections or anaemia or other problems.

This section contains pages covering the following topics:

Which Tests to Have, and How Often Go to page

This page covers:

Information about the various tests available and which to have.
Frequency of testing and what to do if your cat hates the vet.

Normal Ranges, and Factors Affecting Test Results Go to page

This page covers:

Information about factors which may affect test results (fasting, lipaemia, clumping platelets or haemolysis).
Typical normal ranges for tests, and veterinary links about test results.
How to convert international values to US values.

Blood Chemistry Panel Go to page

This is a blood test, and is the most common test run on cats suspected of having CKD. This page covers:

Kidney function: BUN (urea) and creatinine, BUN:creatinine ratio, azotaemia and uraemia.
Potassium and sodium
Magnesium
Total protein (albumin and globulin)
Miscellaneous tests: CK, cholesterol, glucose, amylase, ALT

Complete Blood Count (CBC) for Anaemia and Infection or Inflammation Go to page

This is also a type of blood test, and is commonly run on cats who are suspected to be anaemic or to have an infection. This page covers:

Red Blood Cells - see the Anaemia page for more detailed information
White Blood Cells:
- Neutrophils
- Eosonophils
- Lymphocytes
- Monocytes

Urinalysis (Urine Tests) Go to page

Sometimes vets also test your cat's urine. The USG test can be used to help confirm the CKD diagnosis. Urine tests may also be performed to check for specific problems, e.g. urinary tract infections. This page covers:

Obtaining urine samples
Urine specific gravity (USG)
Osmolality
Haematuria (blood in urine)
Proteinuria
Urine protein:creatinine ratio

Urine pH

Glucose

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) and kidney infections

Minerals (Phosphorus and Calcium) Go to page

These are measured in a blood test. Phosphorus and calcium are commonly checked in a routine blood test but PTH (and ionised calcium) can only be checked via specialised tests. This page covers:

Phosphorus
Calcium (including ionised calcium)
Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
Secondary hyperparathyroidism

Other Tests: Go to page

There are a number of other tests which may be performed. This page covers:

Faecal occult blood test (for gastro-intestinal bleeding)
Palpation
Oral check (for dental problems and mouth ulcers)
Ultrasound
X-rays
Intravenous pyelogram (IVP)
Planar renal scintigraphy
Biopsy
Renomegaly (enlarged kidneys)

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This page last updated: 02 December 2011