The use of Ribavirin to treat chronic hepatitis C in patients receiving azathioprine has been reported to induce severe pancytopenia and may increase the risk of azathioprine-related myelotoxicity. Inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMDH) is required for one of the metabolic pathways of azathioprine.
There are several common underlying causes of kidney disease. 1  In older cats Interstitial Nephritis is most frequently seen. 2  Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is a very common problem in Persian cats - 20-30% of them can be affected. 3  Tumours are occasionally seen in middle-aged and older cats.
Acute kidney failure in cats will create a very sudden illness. This is renal failure that has come on very rapidly. As with humans, acute renal failure will create symptoms that look much like the flu or worse. We have seen cases over the years that had a great response to aggressive treatment.