Genetic Test Unveils Early Kidney Disease in Cats

By using a swab from their cat's cheek, pet owners can now find out if their feline companion is likely to develop one of the most prevalent long-term health issues well before any symptoms appear, potentially enabling actions that may extend the cat's lifespan.

Subscribe to our newsletter for the most recent science and technology news updates.

This breakthrough was achieved through a genetic screening method designed to identify susceptibility to progressive chronic kidney disease, created by veterinary professionals at Washington State University's School of Veterinary Medicine. The test, called Feline Apoptosis Inhibitor Macrophages, or FAIM, can be accessed by both vets and pet owners.

Chronic kidney disease refers to a gradually worsening illness that leads to declining kidney function and may ultimately result in renal failure and mortality; approximately 30 to 50 percent of felines over the age of 11 suffer from some type of this condition. This disorder can contribute to heart problems, low red blood cell count, and high blood pressure. In severe situations, managing chronic kidney disease in cats can amount to several thousand dollars annually, as there is currently no available treatment.

The exam is facilitated through a a genetic difference influencing the function of a protein involved in kidney regeneration. In 2016, WSU assistant professor Dr. Nicolas Villarino along with colleagues from WSU's Program in Individualized Medicine (PrIMe) discovered the genetic indicator.

Villarino and his team dedicated nearly ten years to creating the test, which is currently priced at approximately $100.

Currently, cat owners and veterinary professionals can assess whether the illness may occur in their feline companions and take action prior to kidney damage beginning.

Identifying the illness at an early stage allows cat owners to eliminate specific foods and drugs to support their pet’s well-being and reduce the rate at which the condition worsens. This is the main challenge with the disease; you typically aren’t aware of its presence until it has advanced beyond the point of reversal,” explained Villarino. “After diagnosis, there's little chance of recovery, and these felines may need continuous medical treatment for life.”

The exam can currently be bought by sending an email to Villarino at nicolas.villarino@wsu.edu and will soon be accessible via WSU's (PrIMe) website.

After receiving their testing kit through the postal service, pet owners can collect a sample from their cat's oral cavity and submit it to the facility located at WSU Pullman.

Specimens undergo analysis through droplet digital PCR technology.

Villarino initially identified the genetic alteration while participating in a WSU research project focused on biological indicators of feline kidney disease.

One cat stood out as acting unlike the rest," Villarino mentioned. "This particular feline showed resistance to the illness.

Upon further examination, Villarino and his team found a change in a gene that produces a protein involved in repairing the kidneys.

"I'm a researcher, and we constantly conduct experiments. To reach a stage where we can apply this knowledge to possibly extend pets' lives is truly rewarding," Villarino stated.

Villarino believes the test may pave the way for new medications and therapies for the condition. He mentioned that it might also prove useful for professional cat breeders in reducing the prevalence of affected felines.

The development of the test could not have occurred without assistance from the WSU Office of Commercialization, the Washington Research Foundation, and generous supporters Kay Fowler and Kay Yarborough Nelson, who were committed to bringing the test into existence.

"This examination seeks to improve the lives of numerous felines and their caretakers, and there's no chance we would have accomplished this without contributions from donors," Villarino stated.

More information: Gabriela C. L. Evangelista and colleagues, Apoptosis Inhibitor of Macrophages in Cats: A Possible Connection Between an Exon 3 Mutant Gene and the Development of Spontaneous Chronic Kidney Disease, Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1111/jvim.70136

Supplied by Washington State University

This narrative first appeared on .