Amyloidosis

What Is Amyloidosis?

Amyloidosis is a group of conditions in which a misfolded protein called amyloid builds up between cells and slowly damages the organ it settles in. In dogs and cats the most common type is reactive (secondary) amyloidosis, where long-running inflammation or infection drives the liver to overproduce a protein that later deposits as amyloid. The kidneys are the organ most often affected, followed by the liver.

Some breeds carry a familial form. Shar-Peis are the best known among dogs, often with a history of recurrent fevers and swollen hocks. Beagles and English Foxhounds are also reported. In cats, Abyssinians tend to develop kidney amyloidosis, while Siamese and Oriental cats more often develop it in the liver.

Signs Owners Notice

• Drinking and urinating more than usual, similar to a dog drinking a lot of water for other reasons
• Weight loss, poor appetite, vomiting, and low energy as kidney function declines
• Swollen belly or limbs from fluid buildup when large amounts of protein leak into the urine
• In cats with liver amyloidosis: pale gums, weakness, or sudden collapse from bleeding inside the abdomen
• In Shar-Peis: episodes of fever and puffy, painful hocks before kidney signs appear

Diagnosis

Your vet will usually start with bloodwork, a urinalysis, and a urine protein-to-creatinine (UPC) ratio, which measures how much protein the kidneys are leaking. Blood pressure checks and abdominal ultrasound help assess the kidneys and liver. A definite diagnosis needs a tissue biopsy stained to show amyloid, though vets sometimes make a working diagnosis from breed, history, and test results when a biopsy is too risky.

Amyloidosis is one of several causes of kidney decline. See dog kidney failure symptoms and chronic kidney disease in cats for the broader picture. Protein lost through the gut rather than the kidneys is a different problem called protein-losing enteropathy.

Treatment and Outlook

• Treat the trigger: finding and controlling any chronic infection, inflammation, or cancer may slow new amyloid formation.
• Protect the kidneys: medicines that reduce protein loss in urine, blood pressure control, and a prescription kidney diet.
• Supportive care: fluids, anti-nausea medicine, and appetite support as kidney disease progresses.
• Clot prevention: dogs losing a lot of protein may be given medicine to lower the risk of blood clots.
• Shar-Pei specific: some vets use colchicine to try to reduce new deposits, although evidence is limited.

There is no cure, and existing deposits do not dissolve. The outlook depends on how much organ function is left at diagnosis. Pets found early can live comfortably for some time with management, while those diagnosed in advanced kidney failure have a guarded prognosis.

Practical Tips for US Pet Owners

• If you own a Shar-Pei, Abyssinian, or Siamese, ask about yearly urine protein checks from middle age.
• Keep a log of fever episodes, thirst, and weight to share with your vet.
• Ask whether a veterinary internal medicine specialist is nearby for biopsy and long-term care.
• Find a practice through veterinary clinic listings.

Key Takeaways

• Amyloidosis is abnormal protein buildup that damages organs, most often the kidneys.
• Shar-Peis, Abyssinians, and Siamese cats have breed-linked forms.
• Early urine protein testing and kidney care give the best quality of life.

FAQ

Is amyloidosis contagious?
No. It is not spread between pets or to people.

Can amyloidosis be reversed?
Deposits that have already formed do not go away, but treating the trigger and supporting the kidneys can slow further damage.

How is it different from regular kidney disease?
Amyloidosis is one specific cause of kidney damage. Many pets with chronic kidney disease do not have amyloid at all.