Research Article

Case-Control Study of Risk Factors Associated with Feline and Canine Chronic Kidney Disease

Table 3

Canine-matched case-control odds ratios for dichotomous owner-reported risk factors for CKD, with lower (LC) and upper (UC) 95% confidence limits.

Risk factor descriptionOdds ratioLCUCYrs1 noticed before Dx (SD)

Being female.968.591.6
Being neutered.55.201.5
Excessive thirst or drinking more than a usual amount of water: (x_thrst)4.42.38.4.74 (2.1)
Urinating more frequently than usual: (Ur_more)4.72.210.71 (2.2)
Urinating larger volume than usual: (Ur_large)3.81.69.4.51 (2.0)
Urinating in the wrong place: (Ur_acc)2.71.45.4.60 (1.8)
Unexplained weight loss: (Wgtloss)9.53.427.38 (1.8)
Visible loss of muscle/strength2.0.904.5
Unexplained weight gain3.0.8111
Decreased appetite: (Dec_ap)5.12.510.43 (1.5)
Refusal to eat for > than one day: (Refusal)11.73.638.22 (1.2)
Vomiting (more frequently than other dogs): (Vomit)3.51.48.7.45 (2.0)
Lethargic (excessive sleeping, fatigue, low-energy): (Leth)2.31.24.2.16 (.45)
Constipation1.7.407.0
Excessive gas (flatulence)1.6.524.9
Dental problems1.6.643.9
Gum problems (oral ulcers, etc.)4.0.4536
Excessive plaque or tartar on teeth: (Plaque)2.61.25.5.80 (2.5)
Bad breath: (Breath)2.91.46.01.2 (2.9)
Excessive skin or coat odor2.7.7110
Abnormal or poor hair coat.70.301.6
Pale mucous membranes (eyes, mouth, etc.)1.3.344.7
Eye problems or changes1.1.413.2
Mobility problems (stiffness or limping).62.331.1
Loss of vision1.6.733.5
Loss of hearing1.1.413.2
Teeth professionally cleaned at least yearly1.23.732.1
Water always available
Outside more than just for walks.56.261.2
Frequently exposed to dogs outside the household.65.321.3
Sometimes or frequently exposed to mice1.1.532.2
Inappropriate urination, blood in urine, painful urination, infection, stones, cystitis, plugged, and so forth..90.372.2
Neurological disease.5.132.0
Seizures1.4.543.8
Liver problems4.5.9721
Dental problems2.0.815.0
Behavioral problems3.0.6115
Neoplasm (cancer).47.191.1
Eye disease1.1.413.2
Glaucoma2.0.1822
Ear infections or other ear problems.63.331.2
Gastrointestinal problems.64.251.6
Parasitic problems.46.161.3
Reproductive problems
Obesity1.6.773.3
Diabetes2.0.1822
Hyperthyroidism1.0.205.0
Musculoskeletal (muscles, bones).69.301.6
Hip dysplasia.33.071.7
Dermatologic (skin diseases).79.401.6
Cardiovascular diseases (heart disease)4.0.4536
Osteodystrophy

1Number of years before veterinary diagnosis when this disease was diagnosed or observation first noticed in the CKD case. Shown only for statistically significant risk factors.