Stages of Feline Kidney Disease

Although some feline kidney ailments occur suddenly, it is common for kidney disease to occur in stages over a longer period of time. The International Renal Interest Society (IRIS), an organization dedicated to studying kidney disease in small animals, has defined four stages of stable chronic kidney disease (also known as renal failure) in cats.

  1. Stage 1

    • In the "at risk" stage, a cat's kidneys produce urine with an imbalance of blood creatinine that is still within accepted levels. At this stage, there may be no other symptoms of chronic kidney disease.

    Stage 2

    • A cat may display mild signs of kidney failure in stage 2 and an increase in urine concentration (the creatinine levels may still be relatively acceptable). A veterinarian may perform a physical examination or digital imaging of the cat's kidneys to diagnose kidney disease after ruling out other possible causes of this imbalance.

    Stage 3

    • IRIS explains that, when stage 3 occurs in kidney disease, a cat experiences mild renal azotemia as creatinine continues to increase in the blood. Clinical symptoms may remain mild.

    Stage 4

    • In the final stage of kidney disease, a cat will experience severe azotemia, the condition in which blood creatinine levels are abnormally high. The cat will display identifiable symptoms of kidney failure including bone pain, uremic gastritis, anemia and metabolic acidosis. A veterinarian should immediately treat the cat for kidney disease.