Cat Health & Renal Failure

Renal failure is a condition that affects many older cats. It is commonly referred to as both feline renal failure and chronic renal insufficiency.

  1. What is Feline Renal Failure?

    • Feline renal failure is a kidney disease found in cats. The disease results in the loss of kidney function either suddenly or over a period of time.

    Symptoms

    • There are several dozen symptoms of feline renal failure, but the two that are usually noticed first are excessive urination and increased thirst. Vomiting and hair loss are also very common symptoms.

    Treatment

    • Treatment for feline renal failure is generally aimed at prolonging the cat's life and keeping it comfortable because there is no cure for the disease. Most veterinarians suggest a combination of medication, specialized diet, and hydration therapy.

    Diagnosis

    • Only a veterinarian can diagnose feline renal failure. A cat that is displaying symptoms of this condition may have any number of kidney diseases and a urinalysis will be needed for proper diagnosis.

    Early Detection

    • Chronic feline renal failure is one of the leading causes of death in older cats, so it is advisable to have cats tested once a year after the age of seven years. The earlier the condition is detected the better the prognosis will be.

    Cause

    • Most cases of feline renal failure are caused by one of several types of kidney disease, however, age, genetics and even diet can increase the chances of a cat developing feline renal failure.