Anemia Due to Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats

Production of red blood cells (RBCs) takes place in the bone marrow. 

For development and maturation of red blood cells to take place, bone marrow requires an adequate supply of a hormone called erythropoietin (EPO), a glycoprotein hormone that controls the production of red blood cells.

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 Erythropoietin is produced by the kidneys. 

In chronic kidney disease (CKD), the kidney cannot produce an adequate amount of erythropoietin, resulting in bone marrow failure. 

Lack of RBC production will ultimately lead to anemia in cats that are suffering from chronic kidney failure. 

Middle-aged to older cats are most commonly affected by chronic kidney failure, but the condition may also occur in young cats.

As anemia in this case is principally related to chronic kidney disease, the symptoms are mixed, and relate to both CKD and anemia. Following are a few of the symptoms related to anemia in the presence of CKD:

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Weight lossFatigueLethargyDepressionWeaknessApathy (state of indifference)Cold intoleranceChanges in behaviorTachypnea (rapid breathing)Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat)Syncope (fainting)Seizures

Following are some of the causes behind chronic kidney failure and anemia:

Chronic kidney disease can occur as:

InheritedCongenital (pups born with the problem)Acquired form (in later life)Iron deficiencyInfectionCancerBlood loss through alimentary tract (the entire canal from the mouth to the anus)Disease that causes disruption of RBCs

You will need to give a thorough history of your pet's health, including a background history of symptoms. After taking a complete history, your veterinarian will conduct a complete physical examination on your cat. 

Laboratory tests will include a complete blood profile, a chemical blood profile, a complete blood count, and a urinalysis. 

The results of these tests will provide valuable information for the diagnosis of the cause of the kidney failure and the extent of anemia related to it. 

Your veterinarian will be particularly interested in knowing the level of erythropoietin in the blood. 

Specific tests may be used to diagnose the underlying cause of the chronic kidney disease and resulting anemia. 

An examination of the bone marrow examination may be conducted to evaluate the structure and functions of bone marrow. 

X-ray and ultrasound imaging will show any abnormal structure of the kidneys that is typical in chronic kidney disease. 

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Ultrasound may reveal smaller than normal or irregular-shaped kidneys, both characteristic of chronic kidney disease.

The prediction of a disease’s outcome in advance

An in-depth examination of the properties of urine; used to determine the presence or absence of illness

The amount of pressure applied by the blood on the arteries.

The end of the gastrointestinal tract; the opening at the end of the tract.

A condition of the blood in which normal red blood cell counts or hemoglobin are lacking.

Term refers to the system in the body that deals with the processing of food and nutrients in between the mouth and the anus; may also be referred to as the GI tract, the intestinal tract, or the gastrointestinal tract.