Cat Kidney Disease: Symptoms and Treatment

Progressive kidney disease (also known as chronic renal failure) are relatively frequent illness, and the faster they are detected, the faster they can be cured. The development of the disease can be slowed down, which in many cases provides the cat with the same quality of life for many years after the diagnosis.

What are the functions of the kidneys?

The kidneys are the most important organ that removes waste and excess water from the body. These wastes are excreted as urine. The waste is filtered out of the blood after the body absorbs all nutrients and then the remaining harmful and unnecessary substances are filtered through the kidneys and sent to urine.

The kidneys also have other important functions. They regulate the level of various minerals in the body, such as sodium, phosphorus and potassium. They also help to normalize arterial pressure.

What causes kidney disease in cats?

Any abnormalities or disorders that may result in kidney damage, called kidney disease. Kidney damage like usually irreversible. There are many causes for kidney disease. failure, including infections, tumors, poisoning and injury. But There are other factors that can make a cat more prone to kidney disease:

• Age – the older the cat, the more chance she has of the development of kidney disease. Between 10 and 15 years old risk the development of the disease is approximately doubled.
• Diet – if the cat already had any kidney disease, then high protein and phosphorus diets can make it worse state.
• Breed – some breeds of cats have a slightly higher the risk of developing the disease than others, these are breeds such as Siamese, Persian, Abyssinian, Burmese, Maine Coon and Russian blue.
• Environment – Any poisoning can cause serious damage to the kidneys, so cats that have access to chemical substances such as antifreezes, disinfectants, paints, containing lead, and some others are at risk. Some types of medications may also cause kidney damage. harm.

What are the symptoms of kidney disease in cats?

In the early stages of kidney problems in cats, as a rule, nothing are not displayed, so you may not see any symptoms diseases. Obvious symptoms appear only in the late stages kidney disease when they have already suffered serious damage. As a rule cats have symptoms only after they lose three quarters of their function. If your cat has an increased thirst, it is important to consult a veterinarian as soon as possible. Other Symptoms may include:

• lack of appetite
• vomiting and diarrhea
• dehydration
• weight loss
• increased urination
• bad breath
• mouth inflammation
• lethargy
• increase in duration of sleep
• general weakness
• pale gums
• some cats start to sleep in the cold surfaces such as bath or kitchen floors.

How is kidney disease diagnosed in cats?

Since in many cases the symptoms appear periodically, your veterinarian will likely take a cat’s blood for analysis. Examination of the kidneys can give a definitive diagnosis of the disease. Many veterinary centers are able to conduct testing in own laboratory, which makes the diagnosis enough fast.

What are the treatment options for a cat with a disease? kidney?

Since kidney disease is progressive, it cannot be cured completely and only symptomatic treatment. Maintenance therapy is as follows directions:

• Specific drug therapy – taking drugs, designed specifically for cats that are capable stabilize their condition. For example, benazepril is an inhibitor ACE, which dilates blood vessels. In cats, this drug also helps increase appetite – this is important, as in some In some cases, veterinarians can give cats even steroids try to increase their appetite.
• Antibacterial therapy – in quite rare cases, cats may suffer from a secondary infection, so this may create a large load on many organs of their body. Antibiotic in this The situation is designed to help the cat’s body in the fight against infection.
• Infusion therapy – in severe cases of dehydration to a cat connection to a dropper may be required.
• Diet therapy is an essential part of treatment for cats with kidney disease. The diet is designed to help the kidneys work more effective, therefore diet therapy is very important and the veterinarian can recommend you some food or recipes developed especially for cats suffering from chronic kidney disease. These feeds have the right balance of nutrients and are available as in dry and wet. They also comply with the necessary protein, phosphorus, and sodium levels that are important for maintain kidney function. If the cat switched to this type of diet, then she must abide by him for the rest of her life.

What are some recommendations for cats with kidney disease?

There are several ways that owners can support their cats:

• Monitor the regular intake of prescribed medications.
• Provide the cat with constant access to clean and fresh water.
• Show your pet regularly to your veterinarian.

If a cat needs a special diet, then its owner should:

• Feed your cat only permitted foods and feeds
• Do not feed the cat a treat and any other products with high salt
• Keep cat out of the trash with food

By taking reasonable precautions in cats with kidney disease will be much more likely to survive. Any questions regarding kidney function should be discussed with by the veterinarian.