Membranous nephropathy and the nephrotic syndrome in the cat

Four cases of membranous nephropathy in cats are described. The condition in cats is similar in its clinical and biochemical manifestations to the disease in man. Each cat had the nephrotic syndrome characterised by oedema, proteinuria, hypoproteinaemia and hypercholesterolaemia. The kidneys were macroscopically normal, but microscopic examination of kidney sections and electronmicroscopic examination of glomerular capillary walls revealed changes similar to those described in human cases of membranous nephropathy. Corticosteroid therapy produced a remission of clinical signs in the 2 cats treated although a mild degree of proteinuria persisted.