In felines, the presence of proteins in urine (proteinuria) is considered a marker of kidney disease, when it is found in the absence of other findings suggesting the presence of inflammation and/or infection of the lower urinary tract (bladder and urethra).
Proteinuria is not only indicative of kidney disease, but its persistence (if not treated) leads to progression of the disease.
The large number of cats suffering from kidney disease leads to recommend the urine test as screening tests to identify the presence of proteinuria, at least once a year in cats population over 9 years of age. An American study (Hanzlicek AS1, Roof CJ, Sanderson MW, Grauer GF. Comparison of urine dipstick, sulfosalicylic acid, urine protein-to-creatinine ratio and a feline-specific immunoassay for detection of albuminuria in cats with chronic kidney disease. J Feline Med Surg. 2012) shows that the urine dipstick cannot be used as a screening test for proteinuria in felines.
In cats, Urine Proteins-to-Creatinine ratio (UP/C) should be used to identify or exclude proteinuria.
Back to News
