Primary hyperaldosteronism in a 16 year old cat with chronic kidney disease

Abstract

Feline primary hyperaldosteronism (PHA), although rarely reported in cats, is a disease that is being diagnosed with increasing frequency. PHA is most commonly caused by an adrenocortical adenoma but may also be caused by a carcinoma. Clinical findings associated with this condition, hypertension and muscle weakness, are the result of aldosterone-mediated renal sodium retention and subsequent extracellular fluid volume expansion, as well as excessive renal potassium excretion and subsequent hypokalemia, respectively. Hyperaldosteronism can also contribute to the progression of feline chronic kidney disease (CKD). The following case report describes a feline patient with primary hyperaldosteronism and concurrent chronic kidney disease (CKD).