Medical Affairs Specialist IDEXX Laboratories Arlington, Massachusetts, United States
Disclosure(s):
Natalee Holt, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM): IDEXX Laboratories: Full Time Employee (Ongoing)
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains one of the most common and impactful conditions affecting aging cats, with early-stage disease (IRIS Stages 1–2) offering an underutilized window for intervention. This presentation explores evidence supporting early detection and proactive management strategies in feline CKD, including new research demonstrating that early dietary modification significantly slows CKD progression and improves survival in cats diagnosed prior to the onset of azotemia. Participants will examine how early identification of metabolic derangements (e.g., phosphorus dysregulation, FGF23 elevation, subtle SDMA changes) can guide timely intervention. We will examine how emerging biomarkers, nuanced diagnostic criteria, and targeted nutritional, pharmacologic, and lifestyle interventions can slow disease progression, mitigate clinical signs, and improve quality of life. Attendees will evaluate how to translate emerging evidence into clinical decision-making and design individualized management plans that support kidney health before overt azotemia develops.
Learning Objectives:
Identify early indicators of CKD in cats, including subtle clinical signs, laboratory abnormalities, and biomarkers that support earlier diagnosis and more accurate staging.
Evaluate current evidence for early therapeutic interventions, including renal diets, phosphate control, RAAS modulation, hydration strategies, and management of comorbidities.
Apply practical decision-making frameworks to determine which early interventions are most appropriate for specific clinical presentations and patient risk profiles.
Interpret changes in renal function over time to distinguish true disease progression from biologic and analytic variability, enabling timely adjustments to management plans.
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