Potassium citrate in Feline CKD
Hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood) and metabolic acidosis (high amount of acid in the body) are two very important consequences of chronic kidney disease (CKD), leading to worsened clinical signs at home. Metabolic acidosis plays a role in progression of CKD and its treatment has been shown to improve long-term outcome in human patients with CKD. However, the treatment of metabolic acidosis in cats with CKD remains a challenge, with very few options available. Potassium citrate is a medication normally used to supplement potassium that also has alkalinizing properties which allow it to correct metabolic acidosis with minimal side effects. However, there is very little information available in veterinary medicine regarding the efficacy of potassium citrate as a treatment for metabolic acidosis. Therefore, the purpose of this study to evaluate whether potassium citrate can effectively improve metabolic acidosis in cats with CKD.
Client Compensation:
Your cat will receive complimentary assessment and management of disease by a board-certified specialist in feline CKD as well as standard of care laboratory monitoring.
Potential Medical Benefits:
Correction of electrolyte abnormalities and routine monitoring.
Potential Medical Risks:
Your cat may experience transient stress of being in the hospital and mild discomfort of having blood drawn. If you cat is excessively stressed at any time, we will not continue with drawing the study samples. Gabapentin may be given to alleviate stress before proceeding. If this is not effective, we will discuss with you whether continuing the study is in your cat's best interest. A blood draw can result in bruising at the site of the blood draw. In rare cases, using a needle to collect urine directly from the bladder may result in hematuria, nausea or very infrequently bladder rupture. Your cat will be observed closely for side effects and appropriate medical care will be provided. It is possible your cat's condition may not improve or it may worsen. It is possible your cat may not benefit from this study.
What qualifies my pet for enrollment?
Inclusion Criteria:
Cats with stable, confirmed IRIS stage 2-4 CKD (serum creatinine ≥ 1.6 reported on two consecutive occasions in conjunction with a USG <1.035) that are hypokalemic or acidotic are potentially eligible to participate.
Exclusion Criteria:
Exclusion criteria include the presence of other uncontrolled systemic illnesses, including those which may result in either hypokalemia or metabolic acidosis (independent of CKD), complications of CKD such as urinary/kidney infection or ureteral obstruction, and severe anemia (PCV < 20%).
Diagnosis/Condition Being Studied: Chronic Kidney Disease
Intervention to Be Studied: potassium citrate
PRE-SCREENING QUESTIONAIRE
If you believe your pet may be eligible for this trial, please complete a pre-screening questionnaire.