Study highlights urinary biomarkers for meloxicam kidney injury in cats

A new feline acute kidney injury study suggests two urinary biomarkers, IGFBP-7 and KIM-1, may help detect meloxicam-associated renal injury earlier than standard monitoring alone. In the controlled experimental model behind the paper, healthy adult cats received repeated subcutaneous meloxicam or saline, and four of six treated cats developed elevated creatinine plus histopathologic evidence of renal injury. Urinary IGFBP-7 and KIM-1 were significantly higher in affected cats, while TIMP-2 was less consistent. The work builds on the same Washington State University research group’s earlier report that serum SDMA was not clearly superior to creatinine in this model. (rex.libraries.wsu.edu)

Why it matters: For veterinary teams, the study adds to a growing push for better early-warning tools around feline kidney injury, especially when NSAIDs are involved. That’s relevant because repeated meloxicam use in cats carries an FDA boxed warning tied to acute renal failure and death, even as NSAIDs remain important in feline pain management when used appropriately and with careful case selection. If these urinary markers hold up in clinical patients, they could eventually help clinicians identify tubular injury before azotemia is obvious on routine lab work. (fda.gov)

What to watch: The next step is whether these biomarkers can be validated in real-world feline patients, with reference intervals, assay availability, and clinical decision thresholds robust enough for practice use. (rex.libraries.wsu.edu)