Cat Kidney Health Problems

If your feline friend is aging, it's important to be aware of common cat kidney health problems, as kidney disease is among the leading killers of older cats, according to Feline Good, a site maintained by pharmaceutical giant Novartis. Understanding your cat's condition and available treatments can help you map out a course for the future.

  1. Definition

    • The main role of the kidneys, in cats as in humans, is to eliminate wastes from the body and maintain a proper electrolyte balance. When tiny structures in the kidneys called nephrons, which actually carry out these functions begin dying, health problems result. Cats with kidney health problems are actually being poisoned by toxins a healthy kidney normally filters.

    Types

    • There are various types of kidney health problems, but all are essentially due to the kidneys failing to effectively process wastes from the body. Acute kidney failure is a sudden onset condition, usually caused by some stimuli, such as a poison that has been ingested. The kidney deterioration happens quickly and can lead to death in a matter of days, if left untreated. Chronic renal failure, on the other hand, is a slow and terminal deterioration of the kidneys. It's often triggered by previous incidents of acute kidney failure, but is just as frequently a condition that happens with aging.

    Symptoms

    • The symptoms of kidney problems can be easily missed, because cats who are ill will simply often withdraw, spending less time with their owners. However, some common symptoms of kidney problems are too much or too little urination, increased thirst, nausea and gagging, weakness and loss of appetite. You may also see your cat hunching over its water bowl, licking its lips or making a grinding sound with its jaw.

    Diagnosis

    • It's important to take a cat exhibiting any of these symptoms to an emergency veterinarian immediately, because a cat in acute kidney failure can very quickly sink into a coma and die. Even if the condition is not acute, the sooner treatment is begun, the better the prognosis is. An urinalysis and blood tests will determine if a kidney problem is really present and how severe the problem is.

    Treatment and Prognosis

    • Kidney problems will eventually end in death. However, if caught early enough and treated aggressively, you can extend your cat's life. Your vet may initially administer intravenous fluids to fight dehydration and restore the balance of electrolytes, and administer medications to stabilize your cat if it's in an acute condition. Long-term therapy may include subcutaneous injections, a special diet and medication. Additionally, a very limited number of veterinary practices and schools are performing dialysis and kidney transplants in cats, although travel and cost may rule these options out for most pet owners.