Clinical Implications of the Gut–Kidney Axis
Clinical Implications of the Gut–Kidney Axis
Speaker:
Jessica M. Quimby, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM)
Date: 18 July 2025
Location: Bogotá, Colombia
Chronic kidney disease in cats is more than a kidney condition—it is a systemic challenge that often intersects with gastrointestinal health. In this insightful lecture, Dr. Jessica Quimby explores the concept of the gut–kidney axis and its profound clinical implications.
From weight loss and muscle wasting to dysbiosis, uremic toxins, and constipation, Dr. Quimby breaks down how gut health influences kidney function—and vice versa. She shares practical strategies for managing these intertwined conditions, including:
- Recognizing diagnostic pitfalls when chronic kidney disease and gastrointestinal disease coexist
- Nutritional approaches that balance protein needs with toxin control
- The role of prebiotics, probiotics, and adsorbents in reducing gut-derived toxins
- Why constipation is more than a comfort issue—it is a therapeutic target
If you want to improve outcomes for your feline patients with chronic kidney disease, you will want to watch this lecture. You will gain actionable insights to optimize care and quality of life for your feline patients with chronic kidney disease.
Related Tools and Content
Gut-Kidney Axis: CKD and Constipation
Learn how the relationship between the gastrointestinal tract and the kidneys, known as the gut-kidney axis, is relevant to a discussion of constipation and chronic kidney disease in cats.
The Gut–Kidney Axis and Its Role in Feline CKD
Get new insights into how the gut microbiome, uremic toxins, hydration, and diet interact to influence the health of cats with chronic kidney disease.
CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE IN CATS: Nutritional Management
Nutritional interventions tailored to the individual cat with CKD can play a key role in slowing disease progression, reducing signs of uremia, addressing homeostatic changes resulting from CKD, and improving quality of life as well as life span.
Pathophysiology of Early and Progressive CKD in Cats
Progression of chronic kidney disease in cats is multifactorial, poorly understood, and highly variable. Learn more about the eight factors that have been implicated in renal inflammation, fibrosis, and disease progression.
Hydration support and encouraging voluntary fluid intake in cats
Encouraging cats to consume more water is an important recommendation in a number of situations, including conditions associated with polyuria or increased fluid loss, lower urinary tract disease, chronic constipation and advanced age. Using different cases from her practice, Dr. Caney provides suggestions for supporting patient hydration and encouraging voluntary fluid intake.
What's Really Important in Dietary Management of Cats with Chronic Kidney Disease
When it comes to cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD), veterinary professionals need to feed the cat, not just the kidneys. Explore the functions of diet for cats with CKD, key nutrients of concern and supporting evidence. Dr. Dottie Laflamme outlines important considerations when selecting a diet for geriatric cats with CKD.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in Cats
Nutritional management is a cornerstone of health care for cats with chronic kidney disease.