Kidney failure in your cat can be diagnosed only with clinical testing and a thorough examination by your veterinarian. Increased thirst and urination are the most obvious initial signs of kidney failure, though these symptoms will soon be accompanied by others, such as appetite loss, dehydration, constipation, nausea and vomiting. Since cats need only 30 percent of kidney capacity in order to function properly, the appearance of these signs indicate that 70 percent of kidney function is already lost. Consult your veterinarian as soon as these signs appear.
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Increased Thirst and Urination
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Increased thirst (polydipsia) is a reliable signal that something is wrong with your cat's kidneys. Healthy cats do not naturally require a lot of water, as the species evolved in dry regions and tend to drink water on a daily basis only if they are fed an exclusively dry food diet. Any cat on a canned or home-cooked diet that is observed consistently going to the water bowl will have a kidney problem. Frequent urination (polyurea) goes hand-in-hand with increased thirst. A kidney problem is indicated if the urine is light-colored and diluted.
Nausea or Vomiting
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This is one of the more telling signs of kidney failure. Nausea and vomiting in a cat with kidney failure is caused by the presence of increased stomach acids and bile production. Kidney patients will regularly vomit clear liquid. Anti-ulcer medications can reduce the acidity and stop the nausea. Frequent vomiting--and urination--results in dehydration and potassium depletion, and should be alleviated as soon as possible.
Dehydration
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Dehydration is a serious and chronic problem that develops as the cat's vomiting and diarrhea episodes become more frequent. It becomes a constant issue as the ailing kidneys lose their ability to concentrate urine. Check if your cat is dehydrated by pinching a bit of skin on the back of its neck. All is well if the skin immediately snaps back into place. If it does not, that means that the skin has lost its elasticity and your cat is dehydrated. Note that outward signs of dehydration do not develop until the condition becomes serious. Be sure to contact your veterinarian as soon as you notice signs of dehydration.
Appetite Loss
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As with nausea and vomiting, a cat with kidney failure will lose its desire to eat as a result of the excess acidity and bile buildup in the stomach. If a cat does not feel good, it will not eat and will begin to lose weight, eventually developing a haggard and emaciated appearance. If anti-acid medications do not help the cat feel good enough to resume eating, you may need to turn to appetite stimulants to do the trick.
Constipation
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Constipation directly results from the insufficient water intake and dehydration that is associated with kidney failure. It can be quite painful. Subcutaneous fluids can help, as can adding canned food to your cat's diet. However, do not attempt to administer a laxative or enema to your cat; this should be done only by your veterinarian.
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