Infectious Agents in Feline Chronic Kidney Disease

Prevalence of CKD is very high in the feline population. Depending on the geographic region and climate, local prevalence of infectious agents, signalment, history, clinical signs, and lifestyle (outdoor vs indoor, single-cat household vs multiple-cat household) of a cat with CKD or glomerulopathy, a diagnostic work-up for infectious diseases is indicated. In CKD, characterized by TIN, there is considerable evidence that infectionwith FeMV and Leptospira spp. can play a role, even though these might be only some of multiple contributing factors during a cat’s life. Identification of infectious causes of CKD or glomerulopathies is important because it can influence treatment, handling, monitoring, and prognosis of affected cats. FeLV infection–associated renal disease typically is due development of lymphoma (neoplastic infiltration of the kidney or ICGN secondary to lymphoma). Cats with FIV or FeLV infection need to be prevented from spreading the disease to other cats and need special individualized health care. Cats with leptospirosis and leishmaniosis require specific treatment of these infectious diseases. The zoonotic nature of these infections needs to be communicated to the cat owner. Cats with heartworm disease should be monitored for clinical signs and presence of proteinuria. Currently there is no evidence that B burgdorferi sensu lato or FFV infection are associated with kidney disease in cats.