Mary Allen
Kidney disease is very common in cats. The earlier kidney disease is detected and, if possible, treated, the better the therapeutic success.
The Function Of The Kidneys
Healthy kidneys perform many important functions in the cat’s body. The main task of the kidneys is to clean the blood. Metabolic waste products are filtered out in the kidneys and excreted in the urine. Substances important for the body, such as proteins or minerals, are not removed from the blood. In addition, the kidneys regulate the salt and water balance as well as blood pressure and produce important hormones.
What Is A Kidney Disease In Cats?
Kidney disease reduces the function of the kidneys. The organs can only filter the blood insufficiently. “Toxic” metabolites that are normally excreted in the urine accumulate in the blood. This throws many metabolic processes out of balance. If left untreated, kidney disease in cats will inevitably lead to death.
Kidney disease in cats can be acute or chronic. An acute illness has only existed for a short time. Acute kidney diseases lead to clear symptoms. If the cause of the disease is treated quickly, the cat can recover completely. The acute form often develops into a chronic condition.
Chronic kidney disease is the most common form of kidney disease in cats. In this case, the cat has been ill for several weeks to years. The treacherous thing is that the animals show no or only unspecific symptoms for a long time. Chronic kidney disease in a cat is always a progressive process. The kidney tissue is irretrievably destroyed. In particular, cats over 10 years of age suffer from chronic kidney disease. In this age group, about half of all animals have kidney disease!
How To Identify Kidney Disease In Cats?
The faster the kidneys lose their function, the sooner symptoms appear. This is more likely to be the case with acute, severe courses than with chronic ones. Chronic kidney disease in cats can go undetected for months.
The first signs of kidney disease in cats are vomiting, weight loss, or loss of appetite.
Due to the restricted kidney function, the urine can no longer be properly concentrated. The affected animals drink more water. As a result, cats with kidney disease urinate more. Some animals also pass little or no urine. This is a sign that the kidneys have almost completely stopped working.
The further the kidney failure progresses and “toxic” metabolic waste products accumulate in the blood, the more tired, lethargic, and unkempt the cat appears.
Since urea is no longer excreted via the kidneys, it accumulates in the blood and promotes inflammation, for example in the gums. Cats with kidney disease therefore also have an unpleasant smell from their stomach and mouth.
Elevated blood pressure can be both a further sign and the cause of kidney damage. The increase in blood pressure can impair the function of other important organs such as the eyes, brain, or heart.
What Are The Causes Of Kidney Disease In Cats?
Acute kidney disease in cats can have many causes, including:
Kidney Infarction: The kidneys require a constant supply of oxygenated blood to function properly. If a blood vessel in the kidney is blocked, for example by a blood clot, the tissue is no longer properly supplied with blood. As a result, part of the kidney tissue dies, resulting in a kidney infarction. The function of the organ is now restricted. Sometimes a kidney infarction leads to acute kidney failure.
Kidney toxins: Toxic substances accumulate in the kidney tissue and limit the function of the organ. Lilies are highly toxic to cats. Even a few pieces of flowers or leaves can cause kidney failure. Certain antibiotics or pesticides also trigger symptoms of poisoning.
Cancer: The most common kidney tumor in cats is lymphoma. A possible trigger is the feline leukemia virus (FeLV).
Inflammation of the kidneys: The cause of the inflammation cannot always be identified. In cats, bacteria are rarely responsible for kidney infections. In some cases, cats carry a coronavirus that causes a kidney disease called feline infectious peritonitis.
Acute kidney inflammation often turns into chronic inflammation. Other possible causes of chronic kidney disease are:
Hereditary kidney diseases: Polycystic kidney disease in cats is a widespread hereditary disease that primarily affects Persians. Cysts (fluid pockets) form in the kidneys of affected animals, destroying healthy kidney tissue. There is no cure for feline polycystic kidney disease. Laboratories offer special genetic tests with which the hereditary disease can be detected before the disease breaks out.
Kidney stones: Kidney stones are very rare in cats. Most of the time, they are only noticed by accident during an examination.
How Does The Vet Diagnose Kidney Disease In Cats?
In a conversation with the cat’s owner, the veterinarian receives initial information about the presence of symptoms that indicate kidney disease. Then he checks whether you are underweight, has dental problems, have changed your eyes or mucous membranes, or have high blood pressure. By palpating the abdomen, the doctor checks the size and surface area of the kidney in a lateral comparison.
With the help of blood analysis, specific kidney values (SDMA, creatinine, urea) and electrolytes can be determined. In addition, a blood count makes it possible to rule out the presence of other possible diseases, such as anemia.
An indispensable part of the diagnosis of kidney disease is the analysis of morning urine. Among other things, the density and the UPC ratio of the urine are determined. The density measurement provides information on whether the kidneys can condense or concentrate the urine. The UPC ratio indicates how much protein is lost through the kidneys.
With the help of ultrasound, changes in the size, structure, and blood flow of the kidneys can also be made visible.
Kidney Disease In Cats – What To Do?
A cat with acute kidney damage usually has to be hospitalized for several days. There is the possibility of intensive therapy with continuous drip infusion. A few specialized clinics also offer the option of dialysis therapy. Dialysis is a blood purification procedure. A machine takes over the function of the kidneys. The kidneys have time to heal. To compensate for the loss of electrolytes, fluid, and nutrients, the animal is given a special solution through a vein. Drugs to lower blood pressure are often used in cats with kidney disease.
In the case of chronic kidney disease in cats, a change in diet is an essential part of the therapy plan. Cats with kidney disease must be fed a low-phosphorus diet with high-quality, needs-based protein. If the cat has kidney disease, fibers such as pectin and lactulose should be added to the food. These additives bind toxins in the intestine and promote digestion.
Many cats have trouble getting used to the new food at first. Pet owners now need a little patience and should give their pet about 3-4 weeks to adjust. If the change in feed is not successful, additional feed, e.g. phosphorus binders, can be mixed with the conventional feed.
Mirataz helps against persistent loss of appetite and underweight. Mirataz is an ointment that is put in the cat’s ear. The active ingredients in the ointment stimulate the appetite. Special liquid food can also be offered.
Cats with kidney disease often do not drink enough. This increases the risk of dehydration. One way to increase your cat’s fluid intake is to add water to wet food. All cats need multiple drinking spots. Fountains or wide, non-reflecting drinking vessels are ideal. A squeeze of lemon juice can be added to the water as cats like the sour taste. In the advanced stage, liquid can be injected under the skin.
When Should You See A Vet For Kidney Disease In A Cat?
Unfortunately, the early stages of kidney disease, which are very treatable, go unnoticed by most owners because the cat does not show any symptoms. Only when the animal suddenly drinks more and also urinates more in the advanced course of the disease do the pet owners become aware. Especially in outdoor cats, kidney disease is often discovered quite late. That is why cat owners should take their pets to the vet for a check-up once a year. Regular blood pressure measurement is recommended from the age of 7 years. In the case of blood pressure-related kidney diseases in cats, medication can be used to lower blood pressure.
How Much Does The Treatment Cost?
Vet costs depend on the underlying cause of the kidney disease. A veterinarian calculates his services according to the scale of fees for veterinarians (GOT). The amount of the fee usually depends on the amount of treatment involved. Treating acute kidney disease can be expensive. It is therefore important to find out about the prognosis and costs before starting therapy. If you have any questions, please speak to your veterinarian.