Feline Kidney Disease

Feline kidney disease is a condition in which the kidney is inefficient to perform its function of cleaning the blood. In this condition the kidneys are no longer able to process waste products effectively.

Types

Acute Renal Failure

This type of feline kidney disease occurs suddenly. In this condition, the kidneys rapidly lose their ability to function properly. As a result, the kidneys may suddenly stop working. When cats are exposed to ethylene glycol (anti-freeze), it often leads to acute kidney failure. Ethylene glycol is an odorless liquid having a sweet taste. The liquid is a leading cause of poisoning in cats. Trauma such as an accident or injury can also cause acute kidney failure. Immediate medical treatment is a must to restore the normal functioning of the kidneys. Acute renal failure is life threatening, hence it is essential to take the cat to the veterinarian at once.

Chronic Renal Failure

Chronic kidney failure develops slowly, that ultimately may result into death. It involves progressive and irreversible worsening of kidney function. Symptoms will be noticed only when 70% of the functioning capacity of kidneys is lost. This is a common condition encountered in older cats.

Symptoms

Symptoms of feline kidney disease will not be seen until a considerable damage has been caused to the kidneys. The most common signs of feline kidney disease are vomiting and increased urination. If one observes these symptoms, it is essential to contact a veterinarian to evaluate the health of the cat.

• Increased thirst
• Drastic changes in bladder habits (the cat urinates frequently)
• Blood in the urine
• Loss of appetite
• Bad breath (it often smells like ammonia)
• Constipation
• Dehydration
• Lethargy
• Depression
• Poor hair coat

Treatments

Diet: A diet low in sodium, protein and phosphorus are commonly prescribed for cats suffering from this condition. Veterinarians may also recommend B vitamin and potassium supplements to improve the health. It is essential that diseased cat drinks lot of fresh water daily.

Appetite Stimulants: Cats diagnosed with kidney disease eat very less food. To improve the appetite, it is necessary to include juices from the tuna fish, premium cat foods and human baby food meat in their diet.

Medication: Oral medicines (epogen shots) are given to remove the impurities of the blood. This is essential as the kidneys cannot filter the blood properly. Veterinarians may also prescribe certain medications to tackle related problems such as anemia or hypertension.

Subcutaneous Fluids: Severely dehydrated cats are administered fluids through a cathetral (tube) connected to an injection, which is inserted into the cat's skin. This is an effective treatment, as it flushes harmful substances out of the kidneys. Administering fluids in this way re-hydrates the cat in a short time.

Hemodialysis: In this method waste products such as urea and potassium are removed from the blood as the kidneys are malfunctioning. This form of treatment is expensive and the equipment to carry out the procedure is found only in larger clinics.

Kidney Transplant: This is the last resort that is used when other treatments fail to resolve the problem. A kidney transplant is a costly option, and usually not recommended for older cats.

With proper treatment and a healthy diet, one can increase the lifespan of the cat by a couple of years.