Fanconi's Syndrome

What is Fanconi's Syndrome?
This is a serious condition in which the kidneys fail to properly absorb certain essential chemicals, including glucose, sodium, potassium and amino acids. Instead, these chemicals are lost in the urine and not absorbed properly. This condition is extremely rare in cats.

How does my cat get Fanconi's Syndrome?
This condition can be inherited with no known cause or occur as a result of exposure to heavy metal poisoning or adverse reaction to kidney-damaging drugs such as gentamicin. In most of the forms, a toxin builds up in the renal tubular cells. In the idiopathic forms, the presumed tubular toxin is unknown. The disease is characterized by increased urinary excretion of sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, uric acid and other organic acids. Because of the number of different transport mechanisms involved in

How do I know if my cat has Fanconi's Syndrome?
Age at the first development of signs ranges from one year to eight years old. Unfortunately, the signs – excessive thirst, excessive urination and weight loss –mirror those found in other feline conditions, so this condition can be tricky to diagnose. The syndrome can progress to kidney failure. Additional findings include muscle weakness and boney changes.  Your veterinarian will need to conduct blood and urine tests to properly identify this condition in your cat. Rarely, special urine testing may be needed to confirm.  

What can I do about Fanconi's Syndrome?
In inherited cases, there is nothing to reverse the damage and correct the tubular defect that causes this disease. Each case is assessed and treated differently based upon the changes found.  The condition may progress rapidly or slowly to kidney failure. Constant monitoring of kidney function via blood and urine tests is needed. 

Is there anything I can do to prevent my cat from getting Fanconi's Syndrome?
Not really, other than to make sure your veterinarian avoids using drugs that are damaging to your cat’s kidneys. 

Are there certain breeds that get Fanconi's Syndrome more often?
In cats, this is an extremely rare condition in which no specific breed has been linked.