Renal biology is essential in helping to better understand the workings of the kidney. Numerous studies have focused on the physiology of the kidney, as well as attempting to discover treatments for kidney-related conditions. A paper published very recently by Stock E et al looks at the feline kidney using ultrasound imaging, increasing our knowledge of the kidney in the veterinary world. The paper is titled ‘Influence of ageing on quantitative contrast-enhanced ultrasound of the kidneys in healthy cats’ and published in The Veterinary Record (2018 Feb 14) and the abstract is looked at here, although the full article can be accessed by clicking here.

The researchers used contrast-enhanced ultrasonography to determine renal perfusion in cats ranging in age from 1 year old to 16 years old. The cats were grouped according to their age (1-3, 3-6, 6-10 and 10+ years old), and 43 cats were examined in total. In order to assess renal perfusion different renal factors were looked at, including levels of creatinine and urea in the serum (creatinine is a kidney-associated substance) and blood pressure.

The results revealed that feline age did not cause differences in any of the renal factors looked at, although there was an indication of older cats (10+ years old) having a reduced blood volume relative to the youngest cats (1-3 years old) observed. Furthermore these cats in the older age group were also revealed to have increased blood pressure, although it is important to note that all cats in the study were considered to be healthy.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography was the technique of choice here as it allowed all cats to be examined without having to be sedated, whilst also bypassing the need for intrusive procedures to be carried out – one of the main advantages of using ultrasound imaging in the veterinary world.