Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a sudden decline in glomerular filtration with retention of uremic toxins and disturbed fluid, electrolyte and acid-base balance. In cats the common triggers are toxins (lilies, ethylene glycol, NSAIDs), ischemia, infection and ureteral obstruction, and many cases are acute-on-chronic. The exam favors three habits: grade the injury with the IRIS scheme, measure urine output, and give fluids carefully rather than "as much as possible".
Key facts
Acute kidney injury (aki) at a glance- Species and system: cat; urinary (kidney, ureter).
- Causes (MSD): toxins (ethylene glycol, aminoglycosides, hypercalcemia, NSAIDs, lilies, pigmenturia), ischemia, infection (leptospirosis, pyelonephritis), and prolonged post-renal obstruction.
- Classic presentation: anorexia, depression, vomiting, dehydration, oral ulcers, and abnormal urine volume (polyuria, oliguria or anuria).
- Grading: IRIS AKI grades I to V by creatinine, subgraded by urine output and need for renal replacement therapy.
- Survival: MSD cites about 50% for AKI severe enough to need intervention; oliguria or anuria after rehydration with hyperkalemia is a poor sign.
- Zoonotic or reportable: only leptospirosis as a cause.
What's inside
13 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- IRIS AKI grading
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention, control and public health
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 4 tables, 3 self-test questions and 9 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.