BigStock Images A study by IDEXX, published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, found that early diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) combined with dietary management may improve outcomes in cats. The study followed 1,430 cats with early-stage CKD (IRIS stages 1 and 2) from veterinary practices across the U.S. and Canada. Researchers reported cats fed a veterinary renal diet experienced a delay of about one year in progression to later CKD stages compared with untreated cats. The diet was also associated with a 30 percent lower risk of all-cause mortality within the first three years after diagnosis and a longer survival time among cats that died during that period. The findings highlight the potential impact of early detection and intervention in feline CKD management. For more information, read the full peer-reviewed article on the JAVMA website.
