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Kidney disease is the leading cause of death in the feline population. Mostly a disease of
the older cat, renal disease can be seen in the younger individual also. There are two forms
of renal disease; acute and chronic.
Acute renal failure or disease as it name implies is rapid in onset. Drugs, toxins,
obstructions of the urinary tract and infections can cause the kidneys to suddenly quit
working. The symptoms include sudden refusal to eat, vomiting, depression and the inability
to produce urine. In the vast majority of acute renal failure cases the cause however is never
determined. The treatment involves a quick diagnosis, aggressive intravenous fluid therapy,
treatment directed at the actual cause of the failure if identified, controlling vomiting and
correcting electrolyte abnormalities. Special medications are also administered in an
attempt to get the kidneys working again. Unfortunately, unless the kidneys start to work
again shortly after the initial insult, the prognosis is very poor.
Chronic renal disease is by far much more common. Autoimmune disease, genetic factors,
tumors and chronic infections such as dental disease are some of the reasons for this
common disease. Symptoms include weight loss, depression, poor appetite, vomiting and
excessive water drinking and urination. Most cats are elderly, but cases can be seen in
young cats. Many causes of chronic renal disease are breed related such as polycystic
kidney disease in Persian cats or amyloidosis in Abbasyians. Treatment is directed at
restricting protein/phosphorus intake with prescription diets, correcting phosphorous and
potassium abnormalities, supplementing with subcutaneous fluids and encouraging
appetite. Many of these cats are anemic and medications can be used to correct this
troublesome problem. If your pet has this condition, he cannot handle any water restriction
and illnesses that healthy animals could handle easily may put an animal with kidney
disease into a renal crisis.
Any illness no matter how minor must be treated promptly and aggressively. Periodic blood
tests and medications to control blood pressure are all necessary to control this serious
health condition. Bladder infections are very common in the cat with renal disease and
again need to be treated promptly and aggressively. Some cats can live for a considerable
length of time with good quality of life with a little help.
As earlier mentioned, dental disease can be a leading cause of chronic renal disease.
Tarter build-up, abscessed teeth and gum infections are a constant source of bacterial
infection that travels in the bloodstream into the kidneys. Routine dental care is an important
part in preventing and controlling this significant problem.
the older cat, renal disease can be seen in the younger individual also. There are two forms
of renal disease; acute and chronic.
Acute renal failure or disease as it name implies is rapid in onset. Drugs, toxins,
obstructions of the urinary tract and infections can cause the kidneys to suddenly quit
working. The symptoms include sudden refusal to eat, vomiting, depression and the inability
to produce urine. In the vast majority of acute renal failure cases the cause however is never
determined. The treatment involves a quick diagnosis, aggressive intravenous fluid therapy,
treatment directed at the actual cause of the failure if identified, controlling vomiting and
correcting electrolyte abnormalities. Special medications are also administered in an
attempt to get the kidneys working again. Unfortunately, unless the kidneys start to work
again shortly after the initial insult, the prognosis is very poor.
Chronic renal disease is by far much more common. Autoimmune disease, genetic factors,
tumors and chronic infections such as dental disease are some of the reasons for this
common disease. Symptoms include weight loss, depression, poor appetite, vomiting and
excessive water drinking and urination. Most cats are elderly, but cases can be seen in
young cats. Many causes of chronic renal disease are breed related such as polycystic
kidney disease in Persian cats or amyloidosis in Abbasyians. Treatment is directed at
restricting protein/phosphorus intake with prescription diets, correcting phosphorous and
potassium abnormalities, supplementing with subcutaneous fluids and encouraging
appetite. Many of these cats are anemic and medications can be used to correct this
troublesome problem. If your pet has this condition, he cannot handle any water restriction
and illnesses that healthy animals could handle easily may put an animal with kidney
disease into a renal crisis.
Any illness no matter how minor must be treated promptly and aggressively. Periodic blood
tests and medications to control blood pressure are all necessary to control this serious
health condition. Bladder infections are very common in the cat with renal disease and
again need to be treated promptly and aggressively. Some cats can live for a considerable
length of time with good quality of life with a little help.
As earlier mentioned, dental disease can be a leading cause of chronic renal disease.
Tarter build-up, abscessed teeth and gum infections are a constant source of bacterial
infection that travels in the bloodstream into the kidneys. Routine dental care is an important
part in preventing and controlling this significant problem.
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| Kidney (Renal) Disease |