Cat Kidney Failure Treatment & Prevention

As your cat gets older, there is a strong possibility that it will develop kidney disease or even kidney failure, according to the Feline CRF Information Center. Sometimes kidney failure is the result of infection or toxins, but usually it is the result of aging and the wearing out of the kidneys. Although there is no cure for chronic kidney failure, there are ways to manage your cat's condition in a way that will give it good quality of life.

  1. Definition

    • Just as in humans, a cat's kidneys eliminate waste products and regulate electrolytes in the body. Kidney failure is the inability of the kidneys to remove waste products from the blood, which causes these toxins to build up and make your cat sick. There are two different types of renal failure: chronic renal failure, a progressive deterioration of kidney function, and acute renal failure, an abrupt shutdown of kidney function.

    Causes

    • Although chronic renal failure is one of the leading causes of illness and death in older cats, it can be caused by a number of factors. Certain congenital kidney diseases (polycystic kidney disease, renal dysplasia) and acquired ones (amyloidosis, renomegaly) can develop into chronic renal failure. Particular breeds, such as Siamese, Burmese and Balinese, are more likely to develop it. Potassium imbalance, bad oral hygiene, high blood pressure and hyperthyroidism may also cause kidney failure.

    Symptoms

    • If your cat exhibits any of the following symptoms--especially the first two--have your veterinarian check for kidney problems: excessive urination, increased thirst, nausea and gagging, loss of appetite, lethargy, and depression. Because only 30 percent of kidney capacity is needed for normal functioning, your cat may not show any symptoms until 70 percent or more of renal function is lost, according to the Feline CRF Information Center.

    Diagnosis and Treatment

    • Your veterinarian will perform several tests on your cat to diagnose chronic renal failure or other kidney problems, including urinalysis and blood tests. Once a diagnosis of chronic kidney failure is made, there are several treatment options you can pursue. There is no cure for CRF, so the goal is to manage the condition. A combination of a reduced-protein diet, medication and plenty of fluids is the most common treatment. According to the Feline CRF Information Center, current research is focusing on the benefits of ACE inhibitors and calcium channel blockers in treating the condition, but is not conclusive. Kidney transplants and dialysis are other options.

    Prevention

    • There is no way to prevent chronic renal failure, because it is most often caused by aging. Keeping your cat indoors can prevent it from ingesting toxins, such as antifreeze, that may cause acute renal failure. However, if your cat is diagnosed with chronic renal failure, there are some things to delay the progression of total kidney failure, such as providing your cat access to fresh water at all times and allowing frequent attempts to urinate. Also, feeding your cat a balanced raw diet low in protein and giving natural kidney support remedies from your veterinarian may help.