High Creatinine Levels in Cats

Kidneys are the only organs to excrete creatinine, a white crystalline compound made of creatine. High creatinine levels in cats indicate kidney disease and/or failure, an irreversible condition requiring immediate veterinary treatment.

  1. Function

    • "The kidneys act as a complex filter that removes from blood wastes [creatinine and urea nitrogen] that are generated from breakdown of food, old cells, toxins or poisons and many drugs that are given for treatment of other diseases," explains Washington State University. Kidneys also maintain hydration, electrolyte balance and produce red blood cells.

    Causes

    • Kittens have millions of kidney cells called "nephrons" at birth that filter the creatinine and urea nitrogen wastes from the blood. Nephrons work in cycles--some filter right away, and others wait until the functioning ones die off. Eventually, the nephron supply is depleted and the kidneys cannot filter excess creatinine and urea nitrogen anymore.

    Symptoms

    • Kidney disease is a silent killer; symptoms of excess creatinine in the blood do not show until 75 percent of the kidneys' nephron supply is gone. Symptoms of kidney failure include excessive drinking and urinating, vomiting, loss of appetite and weight, bad breath, depression and fatigue.

    Diagnosis

    • Blood and urine testing diagnose kidney disease/failure. Veterinarians measure creatinine levels in the blood to determine how much of the waste is being filtered from the blood. Normal creatinine levels range from .6 to 2.4 mg/dl--anything above that suggests kidney problems.

    Treatment

    • Kidney disease is incurable, and eventually the kidneys fail. Dietary restrictions, proper hydration (including intravenous therapy when necessary) and medication, however, can keep the creatinine-plagued feline as healthy as possible for the remaining years of its life.