Correlations Between the Advanced Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease and Non-Regenerative Anemia in Felines

Abstract

Anemia in felines with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been associated with a decreased quality of life and a faster rate of pathology progression, having a complicated and more complex pathogenesis. The main cause of the non-regenerative anemia in these patients is the kidneys' inability to produce erythropoietin (EPO), a side effect being the destruction of the red blood cells and the decreased rate of the new red blood cells production. This study aimes to highlight the correlation between the signs of IIIrd and IVth stage chronic kidney disease (characterized by: metabolic acidosis, azotemia, proteinuria, dehydration, malnutrition, hyperphosphatemia, hypertension) and normocytic, normochromic, non-regenerative anemia occurrence. In this study, ten feline patients of various breeds (European, Persian and British Shorthair) aged between 7 and 14 years old were included. 40% of the patients from the study were diagnosed with IIIrd stage of CKD, while 60% with IVth stage. The blood samples were analysed using ProCyte Dx Haematology Analyser – for hematology and Catalyst One Veterinary Blood Chemistry Analyser – for blood biochemistry. All four felines (n=4) with IIIrd stage of CKD have been diagnosed with mild non-regenerative anemia, while the other six patients (n=6) with IVth stage presented severe non-regenerative anemia.