Cat Breeds Likely to Develop Kidney Problems

Signs of feline kidney disease include increased urination, excessive drinking, vomiting, lethargy, depression, bad breath, poor appetite, loss of coordination and weight loss. Cat breeds that are most likely to suffer kidney problems are Persians and breeds related to Persians, such as the Himalayan, or in breeds in which the Persian has been used in their breeding programs.

  1. Polycystic Kidney Disease

    • Genetic diseases are caused by genetic mutations that typically are passed on to the offspring of two parents that have the same mutated gene. Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a genetic feline kidney disease in which multiple pockets of fluid, called cysts, form on the kidneys. These cysts are present at birth and start out small, but grow over time until they disrupt kidney function, and result in kidney or renal failure. The disease can cause kidney failure in cats between two and six years old, and is inherited by offspring or kittens of Persian bloodlines.

    Persians

    • According to the Universities of Animal Welfare, about 36 to 49 percent of all Persian cats have ADPKD. ADPKD in Persian cats is caused by the inheritance of a dominant, autosomal genetic trait. This means that only one parent must have the abnormal gene for the kidney disease to be inherited by offspring. Even if one of the parents is a Persian with normal genes, there is a 50 percent chance that the dominant, abnormal gene will be passed on to their kittens. Persians and Persian out-crosses are tested for ADPKD at 10 months of age with an ultrasound that looks for cysts in the kidneys, or after they are weaned with a genetic blood test or saliva test that looks for the abnormal gene. To prevent the spread of the genetic disease in Persians or Persian out-crosses, breeders that own cats that have tested positive for ADPKD do not use them for breeding.

    Persian Out-crosses

    • Breeds related to Persians that are at high risk for ADPKD are Exotic Shorthairs, Scottish Folds, Himalayans and British Shorthairs. Other breeds that are at risk are Asians, including Burmillas, Bombays and Tiffanies, as well as Birmans, Cornish Rex, Devon Rex, Ragdolls and Snowshoes. Some breeds that may have been out-crossed with Persians in the past and may be susceptible to ADPKD include Angoras, Main Coons, Norwegian Forest Cats, Orientals, Siamese, Tonkinese, and Turkish Vans.

    Kidney Failure -- Other Considerations

    • When a cat's kidneys lose function, they cannot excrete waste products, make hormones or regulate the chemical balance of bodily fluids. Although the acute and chronic forms of kidney failure do not have a specific breed predilection, the most common cause of kidney failure in cats is old age, bacterial infection, consuming toxic substances, such as antifreeze, and eating the incorrect foods. Cats will tend to show early signs of kidney failure at 10 to 14 years of age. Kidney problems can be detected early with blood and urine laboratory tests that are performed by veterinarians.