Kidney disease, also known as chronic renal failure, is an incurable and progressive illness in cats. While there is no treatment that can stop the disease, there are many ways--including the use of herbs--to slow the progression of kidney disease in cats and improve the pet's quality of life. The most common conventional treatment involves the administration of subcutaneous fluids along with dietary changes. Stress reduction, acupuncture and dietary supplements are also employed in treatment of chronic renal failure in cats.
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Veterinarian
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If you want to try to slow the progression of your cat's kidney disease using herbs, your first step should be to consult with a holistic veterinarian. While herbs are a natural treatment, that doesn't mean they are safe if used incorrectly. A holistic veterinarian can ensure you are using the right herbs in the right dosage for your particular pet. The holistic veterinarian will also be able to offer ideas about other treatment options. To find a holistic veterinarian near you, visit the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association's Web site at www.ahvma.org.
Administration
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Herbs are administered to pets in a variety of ways and your holistic veterinarian will work with you on the best way to ensure that your pet consumes the prescribed herbs. Some herbs are added to your pet's regular meals, others are offered in the form of teas or given in a capsule form. There are also herbal solutions that are mixed to contain all the herbs your pet might need in one solution, making it easier to administer the herbs and less stressful for your cat.
Herbs
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Among the most commonly prescribed herbs for cats with kidney disease are burdock, dandelion and slippery elm. Burdock is prescribed because of its properties as a blood purifier, kidney tissue tonic and to detoxify the body. Dandelion is known to have properties to improve liver and kidney function. Nausea and vomiting often accompany chronic renal failure in cats. Slippery elm extract is a commonly prescribed herbal solution for these conditions. Because it addresses these particular symptoms, the herb may also help with another common problem in cats with kidney disease--the loss of appetite.
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