Recognizing kidney disease in cats helps prolong Kitty’s life
In our practice, the most common diseases we see in cats over 7 years old are hyperthyroidism, diabetes and kidney disease. In this article, I focus on the symptoms of kidney disease in cats (kidney failure), causes and treatment.
Kidney disease can occur suddenly (acute) or gradually (chronic) in cats and has many causes. A diet of pre-prepared dry food should be accompanied by plenty of fresh water. Unfortunately, although convenient, this is not the ideal diet for your cat and can be one of the causes of kidney disease in cats. Other causes that have been suggested in research are around the annual cat distemper vaccination.
Unfortunately, in chronic renal failure (CKD), the onset of clinical signs is gradual and in many cases may only become apparent when 75% of the kidney’s nephrons are failing. This process is not reversible. Younger animals can also be affected depending on the cause.
Symptoms of kidney disease in cats include:
– Losing weight
– Loss of appetite
– Lethargy
– Increased urination
– Increased thirst
– Vomiting
If your cat has any of these symptoms, I highly recommend making an appointment with your veterinarian.
Cats suffering from chronic kidney failure drink a lot of water. However, they cannot drink the amount they need, and your vet may advise the use of subcutaneous fluids to help flush toxins from the blood. This is a treatment that you will be able to do at home.
Attention to diet is the best way to keep your cat living comfortably for as long as possible. If he or she is used to home-cooked foods, so much the better, but the most important consideration is to ensure that your cat is eating to maintain his weight. A natural diet of fresh, raw foods based on fish and meat is important, while a potassium supplement is often recommended.
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