COLUMBUS, Ohio — Sponsored - The Ohio State University – Veterinary Medical Center
Did you know that nearly half of cats over 15 years old will develop chronic kidney disease (CKD)? CKD occurs when a cat’s kidney starts to deteriorate. You may notice the signs of CKD if your cat is experiencing weight loss, poor appetite, lethargy and increased thirst and urination.
While current treatments can help alleviate these common symptoms, CKD is progressive and irreversible. Thanks to clinical trials at The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center (VMC), however, researchers are studying cats with CKD to help turn the tide.
“Our goal is to improve the management of kidney disease, learn more about cats with CKD and their special medical needs and increase the quality of their life,” says Dr. Jessica Quimby, associate professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine, who oversees the VMC’s chronic kidney disease program. Dr. Quimby’s studies on CKD in recent years have focused on managing appetite and patient nutrition to help improve weight and muscle mass. Two new clinical trials include close study of a feline formulation of the drug Rapamycin in cats with chronic CKD, and the use of the anxiety-reducing medication, gabapentin.
Clinical Trial 1: Rapamycin in cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD)
Evidence exists suggesting that aging of the kidney may contribute to the onset and progression of chronic kidney disease. Rapamycin is a drug that is a known modulator of the aging process and additionally may decrease the formation of fibrosis (scarring) in the kidney. A feline formulation of the drug is available, and the purpose of this study is to assess the potential benefit of its use in cats with CKD. This study is open and actively recruiting eligible participants.
Clinical Trial 2: Effects of gabapentin on blood pressure
This study will explore the effects of the anti-anxiety properties of gabapentin on blood pressure in CKD cats. “Gabapentin has become a really popular medication for decreasing cats’ stress prior to bringing them into the hospital,” Dr. Quimby says. “This is a really important goal, especially for cats with CKD, because they need to come in for re-checks.”
Despite gabapentin’s use, Dr. Quimby’s previous research has shown that cats with kidney disease may end up with unnecessarily high levels of gabapentin in their system, because commonly used doses do not account for the amount of gabapentin being excreted through the kidneys (cats with kidney disease require a lower dose). If gabapentin blood levels get too high, low blood pressure may result. The study will look at cats’ blood pressure when they’re receiving an appropriate dose of gabapentin to help inform proper dosage. This study will be open this summer.
Benefits of clinical trials to you and your cat
Cats and owners benefit from these studies in several ways, Dr. Quimby says. Your cat will receive complimentary assessment and management of the disease by a board-certified specialist in feline CKD. There is no cost to enroll a cat and all exams and diagnostic testing are free. Eligible cats include those currently diagnosed as having CKD. Those participating in the Rapamycin study will also receive $25 per visit throughout the course of the study. You can also take pride in knowing you are participating in research to advance the management of chronic kidney disease in cats.
Participating in clinical trials has real impact. One of Dr. Quimby’s more recent clinical trials found that a drug called mirtazapine successfully stimulates appetite in cats with CKD. The medication (a transdermal gel that can be applied to the ear) is now available as an FDA-approved therapy and is a standard practice for veterinarians in treating cats with CKD appetite loss.
Participating in current and future studies
To learn more about qualifying your cat for the Rapamycin study and details of the study, please click here. To learn more about future trials, please visit vet.osu.edu/vmc/cto
