Feline Polycystic Kidney Disease - Rare but Very Serious

  

Recently, Poppy was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease (PKD), a rare genetic condition in both dogs and cats, male and female.  With cats, it's most prevalent in Persian cats and cats whose breed derives from Persian cats - like Himalayan, Scottish Fold, British Shorthair, Chartreux, Exotic Shorthair, Burmilla, and Siberian Neva Masquerade.  It's not usually found in mixed breed cats, but it can occur. 
 
PKD is a genetic abnormality and at this time cannot be prevented. It is passed on from mother cat to kittens.  All it takes is one parent cat with PKD for kittens to inherit the condition. It's also been noted that some cats who have developed PKD don't have the gene mutation that causes it, which means there could be other genetic abnormalities behind it.  There is a simple test veterinarians use now to detect PDK that involves a simple cheek swab. 

PKD affects the way a cat's renal system functions by causing cysts to develop on the kidneys that disrupt their ability to work as they should.  The cysts can vary in size and are usually filled with air, fluid or what's called semi-solid material.   With this condition over time, multiple cysts will develop and cover more and more of the kidney surface making it harder and harder for them to do their work.

The hard thing about PKD is that cats may not show any symptoms.  In its early stages, the cysts may be very small and not painful for a cat, so they won't always let you know that something is wrong.  Later on, when PKD cats begin to experience kidney failure, they may stop eating, begin vomiting more, drink more water and urinate more than normal.  Cats in this stage of PKD may also show weight loss.
 
PKD isn't life-threatening right away, but once it's diagnosed through urine and blood tests and perhaps an ultrasound along with a physical exam, it needs to be addressed to help prevent cysts from growing and to prevent additional bacterial infections which can be fatal.   There is no specific treatment for this condition right now but cats with PDK can benefit from special diets and medications to reduce nausea and vomiting.  They need to be closely and regularly monitored for additional kidney infections, increased pain and kidney failure.  

For Poppy, we are monitoring her closely and offering her whatever she needs to stay comfortable.  Happily, at this point she is very much herself.

 

CLICK HERE to see a detailed article about PDK from VCA Animal Hospitals.

CLICK HERE for additional information from PetMD.