Dorval Patricia, Boysen Søren R
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, 1525 Rue des Veterinaires, Saint-Hyacinthe, CP 5000, Quebec, Canada J2S 7C6.
J Feline Med Surg. 2009 Feb;11(2):107-15. doi: 10.1016/j.jfms.2008.06.003. Epub 2008 Aug 9.
Information regarding the use and success of peritoneal dialysis (PD) in the management of acute renal failure (ARF) in cats is lacking. The purpose of this retrospective study is to describe the indications, efficacy, complications and outcome of cats undergoing PD for ARF. Six cats that underwent PD for treatment of ARF of various etiologies were included. PD effectively replaced renal function in all cats and allowed renal recovery in 5/6 cats. Five cats were discharged and one cat died. Complications were reported in all cats and included subcutaneous edema (n=5), hyperglycemia (n=4), dialysate retention (n=3), and hypoalbuminemia (n=3). A novel technique consisting of a Blake surgical drain and an intermittent closed suction system was used, which appears to be a viable option for PD in cats. Although complications are common, PD is an effective renal replacement therapy for ARF in cats and carries a reasonable prognosis in selected cases.