Red Light Therapy for CKD

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is one of the leading health challenges in senior cats. Treatment often focuses on slowing progression, managing symptoms, and improving quality of life. But what if there was a way to directly support the kidneys themselves?

That’s the question behind a 15-month study led by Dr. Hirschberg, exploring photobiomodulation (PBM) with the MedcoVet Luma LED device in feline CKD patients.

Study Design

• Subjects: 29 cats, ages 9–19, all with stage II–IV CKD (based on lab results within 30 days of enrollment).
• Treatment protocol: Owners provided PBM therapy at home using the MedcoVet Luma every other day, following a standardized protocol.
• Standard care maintained: All cats continued their usual CKD treatments, including renal diets, phosphate binders, supplements, and medications, under the guidance of their primary veterinarian.
• Monitoring: Lab work every 3–4 months plus owner feedback on quality of life.
• Duration: 15 months.

Results

The study faced some normal real-world challenges:

• 3 cats removed due to non-compliance.
• 3 cats withdrawn by owners (time or pet cooperation).
• 4 cats euthanized (2 unrelated cancers, 1 due to arthritis, 1 due to CKD progression).

That left 19 cats for full analysis. Here’s what happened:

• 11/19 cats (58%) showed a ≥10% reduction in creatinine levels, indicating improved kidney function or slowed decline.
• 6/19 cats (32%) maintained relatively stable creatinine.
• 1/19 cats (5%) showed a moderate increase in creatinine.
• 1/19 cats (5%) had a sharp increase in creatinine and was euthanized due to CKD.

Perhaps most striking: Of the 18 cats that completed the study, 17 owners reported good to excellent quality of life—and all chose to keep using the Luma after the study ended.

Why It Matters

CKD is typically a progressive disease. Seeing stabilization in creatinine is valuable. Seeing reductions in more than half the patients is especially promising. Even more important, quality of life, arguably the most meaningful measure for pet parents, was consistently improved or preserved.

This study suggests that at-home PBM, when used alongside standard veterinary care, may offer a supportive tool for managing CKD in cats.

Prove It: What the Research Says

• Photobiomodulation supports renal function. Studies show PBM can improve mitochondrial activity and circulation in kidney tissue, which may slow disease progression (Hamblin, 2017).
• CKD stabilization is rare. In natural disease progression, creatinine typically rises steadily in feline CKD (Polzin, 2011). A 10% decrease in more than half of patients is noteworthy.
• Owner-reported outcomes matter. Quality of life improvements—like energy, appetite, and comfort—are a critical success marker in chronic disease management (Reagan et al., 2019).
• The full CKD study. Photobiomodulation, Laser Therapy, and Chronic Kidney Disease (PBM DVM, 2024).

Citation Summary

• Hamblin, M. (2017). Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation. AIMS Biophysics.
• Polzin, D. J. (2011). Chronic Kidney Disease in Small Animals. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice.
• Reagan, J. L., et al. (2019). Assessing quality of life in cats with chronic diseases. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery.
• H., [Author]. (2024). Photobiomodulation, Laser Therapy, and Chronic Kidney Disease. Practical Applications in Veterinary Medicine (PBM DVM).