Overview of Feline Kidney Disease

Feline kidney disease is one of the most common diseases in cats, especially as they age. Also known as chronic renal failure, the disease is often accompanied by other ailments that must be eliminated if the kidney disease can be successfully treated. The disease has no cure, but with proper care, a cat's life can be greatly extended.

  1. Symptoms

    • One of the first signs that a cat may have kidney disease is excessive drinking and excessive urination. Often cats with the disease will constantly search for sources of water, even in places they don't usually drink from, such as a sink or bathtub. Cats with kidney disease will often vomit or seem out of sorts and sometimes suffer weight loss.

    Diagnosis

    • A veterinarian must do urine and blood tests to determine whether the cat has feline kidney disease or other conditions that often have the same symptoms, including diabetes and hyperthyrioidism. Blood tests will determine a cat's level of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine. High levels of these toxins in the cat's blood is an indication that the kidney is not doing its job removing them. Other indications of kidney disease are diluted urine, high blood pressure and anemia.

    Treatment

    • While there is no cure for kidney disease, there are things the pet owner can do to help their cat's kidneys function better, including dietary changes and medications. Cat owners may be directed to give their pets food with lower protein levels specifically created for cats with kidney disease. However, not all veterinarians agree that diet change is an effective treatment. A veterinarian also may prescribe meditations that increase potassium levels, help fight anemia, and lower phosphorus levels, all of which make it easier for the kidneys to function.

    Prognosis

    • Prognosis very much depends upon the age of the cat and how badly damaged its kidneys are. Early diagnosis is vital to the cat's outcome and many times a cat must be hospitalized for a time and given fluids intravenously. Vets will closely monitor the cat's BUN and creatinine levels, which should drop dramatically once the animal begins receiving treatment. If the levels of these two toxins do not drop, the prognosis is extremely poor, according to veterinarians at the Long Beach Animal Hospital. Cats diagnosed with acute renal failure require emergency treatment and may require hospitalization at a specialized veterinarian hospital that can handle dialysis.

    Long-term care

    • Because there is no cure for kidney disease, owners must be diligent about administering any medications prescribed for the animal. Owners must always have fresh water for the animal on hand at all times. Long-term prognosis and care for the cats depends greatly upon how much damage was done to the kidney, as well as how much kidney function remains following diagnosis.