Proteinuria - We now recognize that proteinuria is associated with increased risk of developing end-stage renal failure in cats and with an increased risk of mortality even in nonazotemic animals. Further, studies have shown that therapies that reducethe magnitude of proteinuria are often renoprotective. Recent findings have suggested that renal protein leak is not only a marker of severity of renal disease but also potentially could be a cause of renal injury. While the role of this protein leak inproducing renal damage has not been clearly established in cats, findings in cell culture studies and investigations of rodent models of renal failure raise our concerns about the importance of separately evaluating our patients for the presence or absence of proteinuria and for monitoring patients with proteinuria to determine its magnitude, location, and persistence. We should investigate proteinuria in those cases where it is present and institute appropriate therapy, if indicated. It is critical, however, that veterinary clinicians develop an enlightened approach to the diagnosis and management of proteinuria.
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