Feline Kidney Failure: Progression Speed Can Differ by 17 Times Depending on Genetic Mutations

Feline chronic kidney failure shows significant differences in progression speed; even when receiving the same stage 3 diagnosis, some cats maintain their condition for years, while others rapidly deteriorate to stage 4. While this was previously understood to be due to differences in the owner's management capabilities or water intake, recent research has revealed that these differences are deeply related to genetic factors.

Genetic Mutations Determining the Progression Speed of Feline Kidney Failure

According to a video from Yoon Saem's My Pet Counseling Center-Pet Clinic, cats possess 'AIM protein' in their kidneys, which marks dead cells or waste so that scavenger cells can process them. In a normal state, this protein should function in a timely manner during kidney damage, but in cats, there are many cases where AIM is too tightly bound to transport proteins in the blood, preventing it from performing its role. The failure of this cleaning system is identified as the key mechanism that causes and exacerbates chronic kidney failure.

Research results confirmed that there are differences in the genetic blueprints used to create this AIM protein in each cat. Among the 100 cats surveyed, approximately 68% had one or both genes that cause mutations in the AIM protein structure. In particular, cats possessing both of these mutant genes were 17 times more likely to deteriorate from stage 3 to stage 4 kidney failure compared to cats with a normal structure, and the risk of creatinine levels rising by more than 20% was also about 10 times higher. This suggests that the progression speed of the disease can be determined by innate genetic traits even before the issues of owner management.

Confirmation of Potential Kidney Failure Treatment via AIM Protein Administration

As genetic defects were identified, research into treatments that directly supplement the deficient AIM protein has also been conducted. According to a study recently published in a veterinary journal, remarkable results appeared when AIM protein was administered via intravenous injection to high-risk cats in stage 3 kidney failure. While cats receiving conventional kidney failure treatment had a survival rate of only 20% after one year, cats that received additional AIM protein administration saw survival rates exceed 80% after one year.

Furthermore, the group administered with AIM protein showed almost no worsening of kidney values and tended to show improvement in internal inflammation indicators and toxin levels. It is known that the treatment in question is currently undergoing formal approval applications in Japan. However, this study had a small sample size of 26 subjects, the effectiveness in cases with comorbidities has not yet been confirmed, and it is expected to take considerable time before it can be prescribed at actual animal hospitals in Korea.

At the current stage, the most important response a guardian can take is to monitor kidney status through regular blood tests. It is necessary to precisely understand the condition by checking not only creatinine levels but also the SDMA indicator. Until genetic treatments become commonplace, it is necessary to focus on basic management, such as consistently feeding the prescribed kidney management diet and utilizing probiotics that help the kidneys along with sufficient water intake.