Feline Renal Disease Treatment

Feline renal disease is the standard medical description for progressive kidney disease in cats. Renal disease is common among older cats, especially those that are overweight. The disease has no cure, but a variety of treatments can slow the progression and prolong your cat's life and health. Acute renal disease denotes a more serious condition, whereas chronic renal disease is a less-progressed version of the disease.

  1. Identification

    • The first step in slowing the progression of renal disease is correct diagnosis. If your cat begins drinking or urinating more than normal, it can be a sign of renal disease. Other changes in litter box behavior, vomiting or changes in eating behavior also can be signs of kidney issues. If you notice any of these symptoms, alert your vet. A definitive diagnosis requires blood and urine tests.

    Treatment Goals

    • Renal disease treatment in felines aims to keep the toxins in the cat's renal system to a minimum. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) numbers indicate the level of nitrogen in the urine, caused by high ammonia content. Normal levels are less than 30 ml/dl (milliliters per deciliter), with higher levels indicating a higher level of toxins present. Other toxins that may be present at high levels are creatinine and phosphorous, so keeping these down is part of overall treatment.

    Dietary Treatment

    • Restricting protein in the cat's diet is a common treatment for renal disease, but the effectiveness of this treatment is debatable. One of the primary benefits of restricted protein diets is that lower protein tends to mean lower phosphorous content, which means the kidneys do not have to work as hard to process the phosphorous out of the urine. Ensuring adequate potassium in the diet is also recommended by some vets, but because the efficacy of any dietary changes is not proven, there is not clear consensus on this in the veterinary community.

    Hydration

    • Once kidney failure reaches a certain stage, dehydration may become a problem. Injecting fluid under the skin to elevate subcutaneous hydration is common treatment for felines with renal disease. This is effective for some cats, while others require intravenous fluids to maintain proper hydration levels.

    Prognosis

    • Renal disease is always fatal, but with proper management your cat can survive in relative comfort and health for several years. Upon initial diagnosis, cat owners are often warned to expect the disease to become fatal within one to three years, but if detected early, managed well and not complicated by other health factors, a cat with renal disease may live up to five years after initial diagnosis.