• Question: Are there any drugs and/or steroids on the market to help with diabetic Nephropathy within rats and other animals and what are their effects on the kidneys?

    Asked by robertsaunt to Heather on 18 Jun 2013.
    • Photo: Heather Eyre

      Heather Eyre answered on 18 Jun 2013:

      There are a few different treatment options within pet animals, many of the types of drug are actually from the same family as the drugs used in humans. Regulating the renin-angiotensin system is one of the major targets.

      Angiotensin II is made from Angiotensin I by an enzyme called ACE, once made Angiotensin II regulates (increases) blood volume and blood pressure by altering kidney function.

      Blocking the production of Angiotensin II by blocking ACE is beneficial in most cases – including cats (the common drug is benazepril). But they can lead to too much potassium in the blood and body, which can stress the kidneys. It’s also really important to control blood sugar.

      A lot of the treatment of DN is actually more about monitoring kidney function, and preventing it from getting any worse.

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