Genetic test detects early signs of kidney disease in cats

Created by researchers at Washington State University’s (WSU) College of Veterinary Medicine, the test—called Feline Apoptosis Inhibitor Macrophages (FAIM)—identifies a specific genetic variation that compromises a cat’s ability to produce a key protein responsible for kidney repair. This early detection tool is designed to identify cats genetically predisposed to progressive CKD, a condition that affects nearly 30–50% of cats over the age of 11 and can result in kidney failure, cardiovascular disease, anemia, and hypertension.