Cat Kidney Disease Symptoms

Symptoms of kidney disease in cats may at first appear to be simple behavioral problems, but renal disease can be a potentially life-threatening disorder. A veterinarian should immediately examine a cat that displays any symptoms and, with good care, further kidney damage can be prevented.

  1. Symptoms

    • Cats with kidney disease may start to urinate in inappropriate places, missing the litter box and using the floor or rug. They tend to show signs of increased thirst with a corresponding larger amount of expressed urine. They may become anemic and dehydrated, and begin vomiting with either diarrhea or constipation. Some cats will not eat and will show a fairly rapid weight loss. Increased blood pressure is a common problem for animals with this disease. In the advanced stages of kidney disease, cats can become azotemic (having an excess of nitrogen in the blood), and their breath can have a pronounced metallic smell. Because of systemic toxicity, some animals experience sudden blindness and gait disturbances.

    Causes

    • Kidney disease in cats can be either acute (occurring suddenly with symptoms that seem to appear overnight) or chronic (ongoing over a period of time). The structure of the kidney and its function of filtering wastes from the blood and out of the body predispose this important organ to injury and disease throughout the life of a cat. They also keep the body's electrolytes at normal levels and secrete erythropoietin, a hormone necessary for the production of red blood cells. The kidneys can become damaged through trauma, ingestion of toxins, kidney stones and neoplasias (tumors). There are some veterinary medications that can be toxic to the kidneys with extended use, and animals with immune-mediated disease can suffer kidney dysfunction. Some cats are born with congenitally defective kidneys, and older cats especially are prone to develop chronic renal failure.

    Treatment

    • Treatment for kidney disease in cats is normally palliative, designed to lessen the symptoms of the disease and make the animal more comfortable by extending and improving the quality of life. A veterinarian may prescribe medication to lower blood pressure, increase heart function and correct any gastrointestinal upsets. They can also recommend supplements to correct imbalances in the cat's body; electrolytes, calcium, phosphorus binders and vitamin B are commonly used when the amounts of these substances are shown to be lowered or missing in blood screens. Some veterinarians use diuretics to increase kidney function and may recommend a diet low in protein and sodium for diseased animals. Most cats will be placed on at-home fluid therapy to maintain adequate hydration.

    Considerations

    • Cats normally don't show symptoms of kidney disease until 75% of the kidney has been compromised. Although kidney function may improve with care, it rarely returns to normal levels. This disease is usually progressive and irreversible, but cats that receive an early diagnosis and continuous veterinary treatment can enjoy a good life for a number of years. Veterinarians normally recommend regular checkups with blood tests to determine the progression of the disease. Owners also need to learn how to give subcutaneous fluids to their cat at home; their veterinarian or a vet technician can show them how to do this procedure.

    Warning

    • Treatment for kidney disease in cats is aimed at slowing the progression of the disease and is usually ongoing for the duration of the animal's life. At some point, pet owners may have to decide whether to euthanize their cat; consulting their veterinarian will give them the information needed to alleviate any guilt over having to make this difficult decision.