Cats & Renal Failure

Renal failure is a common ailment in felines. Although found mostly in older cats, renal failure is a debilitating disease that can plague cats of any age. Renal failure is classified into two categories--acute and chronic. Most chronic renal failure is not reversible, but proper treatment can sustain your cat's quality of life for months, sometimes years.

  1. Renal Failure 101

    • Acute renal failure occurs when the kidneys abruptly decline, leading to changes in the body's chemistry, states the veterinary website PetPlace.com. Chronic renal failure is a progressive loss of kidney function that commonly occurs among older cats. Acute renal failure often improves after treatment, but chronic renal failure causes irreversible lesions on the kidney.

    Causes

    • According to PetPlace.com, acute renal failure is often caused by the ingestion of a toxic substance, such as poison or antifreeze; infection; obstruction of the kidneys; and a decrease in blood flow and oxygen to the kidneys. Age often plays a contributing factor in chronic renal failure, along with problems associated with certain diseases, including infection, inflammation, cancer, toxic materials, poor blood flow, lack of oxygen and immune system problems.

    Symptoms

    • Acute and chronic renal failure have similar symptoms. The common characteristics include lethargy, vomiting, weakness and poor appetite. Cats with acute renal failure might strain to urinate, become disoriented and uncoordinated, and have changes in their water consumption and urination. Symptoms of chronic renal failure include bad breath, excessive drinking and urination, weight loss, and lack of balance when walking.

    Diagnosis

    • If you suspect your cat suffers from renal failure, take it to a veterinarian for an examination. Blood and urine tests typically determine whether a cat is in renal failure. In addition, the doctor might request radiographs, a urine culture, a kidney ultrasound and an ethylene glycol test to find a complete diagnosis.

    Treatment

    • Cats in acute renal failure are in real danger and are typically hospitalized and treated aggressively. These cats typically receive intravenous fluid therapy, drugs that encourage urination, and other medication based on their symptoms and the potential cause of the illness. Chronic renal failure is never cured. However, it is managed through intravenous fluid therapy, special diet, and drugs that stave off anemia and vomiting, if necessary.