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Amyloidosis This disease involves the deposition of Amyloid A protein within the tissues. This can be stimulated by concurrent inflammatory disease or tumours, but many cases have no obvious inciting cause. The first organ to become seriously affected is the kidney so the observed clinical signs are usually those of chronic renal failure, other affected organs include the liver, spleen and the intestinal tract. The deposition in the kidney results in protein leakage into the urine, as the problem progresses the destruction of the kidney nephrons leads to chronic renal failure and uraemia. Weight loss as a result of the protein loss may be the first indication of illness, as the uraemia develops then lethargy, anorexia and vomiting occur, increased thirst and urination are common. In order to diagnose this condition the measurement of urine protein should be positive on repeated occasions, blood tests will reveal a raised blood urea level and low blood protein levels. Confirmation of the diagnosis is best achieved by renal biopsy. No effective treatment is available, if there is any underlying inflammatory or neoplastic disease causing the problem then it should be treated. Supportive treatment for chronic renal failure should be instituted (low protein diet and antiemetics to control vomiting), and if oedema develops then diuretics can be used to control it. The outlook is very poor, survival time depends on the rate of deposition of amyloid. In those cases that progress slowly a survival time of up to one year is possible. |
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