【Feline Kidney Disease】 What you need to know about chronic renal failure in cats
Chronic renal failure in cats is a common and serious disease that can have a variety of effects on the body. Cats are at risk of developing chronic renal failure (CKD) as they age. This risk exists across all age ranges, but the incidence rate increases with age.
Chronic renal failure is irreversible, and the cat's condition will gradually worsen over time, but the specific rate of deterioration varies depending on the physical condition.
Often, early-stage kidney disease is difficult to detect. Owners need to understand that "chronic" means the disease is progressive and death is not imminent.
Therefore, proper medical care and diet can not only improve the quality of life for cats with kidney disease but also potentially extend their lifespan.
Table of contents
➡️ The structure and function of cat kidneys
➡️What are the symptoms of chronic renal failure in cats?
➡️Why do cats suffer from chronic renal failure?
➡️How does a veterinarian diagnose chronic renal failure?
➡️The impact of chronic renal failure on cats
➡️ PETTINGTON and ROYAL CANIN are now launching the "Cat Kidney Protection Journey"
The structure and function of cat kidneys
The kidneys are part of your cat's urinary system and are responsible for the continuous production of urine. The kidneys carry urine to the bladder via the ureters. When a certain amount of urine accumulates in the bladder, the brain receives a signal to urinate. The kidneys' main functions include:
- Blood pressure control: The kidneys regulate the body's water and electrolyte balance, affecting vascular contraction and blood pressure. They can adaptively adjust body fluid volume and vascular resistance to maintain appropriate blood pressure levels.
- Regulate water: Regulate the body's water balance by regulating the production and excretion of urine.
- Eliminate waste products from metabolism: By filtering the blood, metabolic waste, toxins, and excess substances are excreted from the body to maintain metabolic balance. These waste products and toxins are excreted through urine, keeping the body clean and healthy.
What are the symptoms of chronic renal failure in cats?
Early symptoms of chronic renal failure, such as
- Weight loss
- Poor hair quality
- Increased urination
- Increase water intake
In the early stages of renal failure, the kidneys excrete lower concentrations of metabolites in larger volumes, making urine more dilute and increasing urine volume . Therefore, cats may increase their water intake to counteract the increase in metabolites and fluid loss. However, when approximately two-thirds of the kidney tissue has failed, the amount of metabolites in the blood suddenly surges, leading to the onset of severe symptoms.
Why do cats develop chronic renal failure?
Chronic renal failure is the final stage of a variety of disease processes, not a single disease. Conditions that lead to chronic renal failure include congenital kidney malformations, such as polycystic kidney disease. Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIP) can also cause chronic renal failure. The formation of kidney stones or urinary stones can also lead to the development of chronic renal failure. In addition to the above causes, the following are more common causes of the disease:
- Long-term feeding of a low-water diet. Due to insufficient water intake, cats suffer from chronic mild dehydration. Dehydrated cats try to maintain water balance, which causes the kidneys to concentrate urine, making the urine more concentrated and the urine volume less. This allows toxins to stay in the kidneys longer, slowly damaging the kidneys and leading to a gradual decline in renal function.
- Hyperthyroidism treatment
- hypertension
How does a veterinarian diagnose chronic renal failure?
Veterinarians typically diagnose kidney failure by measuring creatinine (Crea) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels, as well as performing ultrasound examinations. However, abnormal Crea and BUN levels typically indicate kidney function has declined below 25%. Early detection of chronic renal failure has been challenging. However, a newly introduced blood test that measures SDMA levels in the blood can detect renal failure before Crea levels rise, allowing veterinarians to better understand a cat's kidney health, enabling earlier treatment and potentially prolonging the course of the disease.
Kidney disease stages: Stage I
CREA < 1.6 mg/dl SDMA < 18 μg/dl
Kidney disease stage: Stage II
CREA 1.6 - 2.8 mg/dl SDMA 18 - 25 μg/dl
Possibly a poor appetite
Kidney disease stage: Stage III
CREA 2.9 - 5.0 mg/dl SDMA 26 - 38 μg/dl
Poor appetite, vomiting, dehydration, anemia, acidemia
Kidney disease stage: Stage IV
CREA > 5.0 mg/dl SDMA > 38 μg/dl
Poor mental state and appetite, vomiting, dehydration, anemia, acidemia, uremic damage
The impact of chronic renal failure on cats
Because of the multifunctional role of the kidneys, chronic renal failure can affect cats in a variety of ways. Common symptoms include
- Weight loss
- Poor hair quality
- Bad breath
- Appetite fluctuations
- Listless
- Depressed mood
Regular physical examinations are crucial for improving the quality of life and longevity of cats with chronic renal failure. Regular veterinary checkups can help identify problems and provide appropriate treatment. While renal failure is irreversible, early detection, dietary adjustments, and treatment can make it less daunting than you might think.
【Extended Reading】
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