Management of acute kidney injury with continuous venovenous haemodiafiltration in a cat

Continuous renal replacement therapy is an emerging technique for the treatment of acute kidney injury (AKI). Data regarding its use in cats are limited. This report describes the use of a novel continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) system for the treatment of AKI in a cat. A 1.3-year-old cat developed uraemic signs following the administration of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of a suspect traumatic episode. CRRT was provided with a Prismaflex Gambro machine used in continuous venovenous haemodiafiltration mode, with an AN-69 surface-treated membrane, synthetic colloid priming and heparin anticoagulation. Two treatment cycles were performed, totalling 51 h of CRRT. The treatment was effective in controlling uraemic signs, and no major complications were noted. Owing to financial constraints the owners declined further CRRT treatments, and on day 8 of hospitalisation, owing to the lack of significant clinical improvement, humane euthanasia was performed. The set-up detailed in this report provides a viable option for the initial treatment of cats with AKI.