{"id":439709,"date":"2023-11-15T14:11:22","date_gmt":"2023-11-15T19:11:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/?p=439709"},"modified":"2024-07-01T10:14:24","modified_gmt":"2024-07-01T14:14:24","slug":"kidney-disease-in-cats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/ask-the-vet\/kidney-disease-in-cats\/","title":{"rendered":"Kidney Disease in Cats: Our Vet Discusses Causes, Signs & Care"},"content":{"rendered":"

Your cat’s two kidneys perform many vital functions in maintaining your pet\u2019s health. They help eliminate toxins from the bloodstream (because they filtrate blood) and maintain water, electrolyte balance, acid-base balance, and blood pressure at normal values. They also regulate circulation and produce hormones (renin<\/span> and erythropoietin). When the kidneys stop working properly, it can lead to severe health problems that can put your cat’s life in danger.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cat owners often become worried and confused when they hear that their cat has been diagnosed with kidney disease. Such a diagnosis is never easy. Early detection of the signs of kidney disease is crucial because they usually occur after <\/span>75% or more <\/span>of <\/span>the<\/span> kidney function has <\/span>already<\/span> been compromised. The sooner your cat is diagnosed, the more you will be able to slow down the <\/span>progression <\/span>of the disease.<\/span><\/p>\n

Since kidney disease generally occurs in middle-aged and older cats from 7 years of age onwards, it<\/span> is recommended that cats over 7 years be periodically evaluated<\/span>, ideally every 6\u201312 months.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What Is Kidney Disease?<\/h2>\n

Kidney disease<\/span> is a condition in which the kidneys partially or completely lose their ability to function normally. It is a progressive disease in which the products of catabolism and toxic substances are no longer eliminated by the kidneys but retained in the body.<\/span><\/p>\n

It most frequently <\/span>affects middle-aged and elderly cats (particularly geriatric cats over 12 years of age) and is the most common cause of death, alongside cancer and heart disease<\/span>.<\/span>1<\/span><\/a> The disease develops over periods of months or years. Approximately 20%\u201350% of cats older than 15 years have some stage of kidney damage.<\/span>2<\/span><\/a> The frequency between the sexes is equal, though males are diagnosed at younger ages than females.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kidney disease can be acute or <\/span>chronic, and there are four stages of the disease. They are referred to as IRIS stages. Usually, it\u2019s a chronic illness of older cats, lasting for months and years, while acute onset in younger animals occurs suddenly, often due to toxin ingestion, urethral obstruction, other organ system disease, low blood pressure, bacterial infection of the kidneys, and others. The fourth stage is also referred to as end-stage kidney failure, from which the vast majority of affected cats will not recover.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Image Credit: Lost_in_translation, Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Acute Kidney Disease in Cats<\/h3>\n

Acute renal <\/span>injury<\/span> in cats is a condition with a sudden onset resulting from a decline in renal function, which sets in within a few hours or days. <\/span>The initial clinical signs may include increased urine production, called polyuria, often followed by oliguria<\/span> (the cat urinates less than usual) or anuria (the cat stops urinating). <\/span>The cat can be thirsty in the beginning but will soon stop eating and drinking and become very lethargic. Some cats may develop a fever if the cause is bacterial.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This condition has multiple causes, such as obstruction due to urinary blockage or infection of the renal parenchyma (kidney tissue) and its functional units.<\/span><\/p>\n

This type of kidney disease <\/span>can be<\/span> reversible if the cause is recognized and treated in time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats<\/h3>\n

Chronic kidney disease <\/span>(CKD) is a gradual and usually slowly progressive condition<\/span> in which the functional unit of the kidney, the nephron, loses its functionality over a longer period of time.<\/span><\/p>\n

When some of the nephrons are <\/span>damaged, the others take over their function and compensate, but in time, their function will also reduce<\/span>. This leads to the inability of the kidneys to fulfill their functions of absorption and excretion, making it impossible to <\/span>successfully<\/span> eliminate toxins from the body by filtering the blood and producing urine.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What Are the Signs of Kidney Disease in Cats?<\/h2>\n

The clinical signs of <\/span>chronic<\/span> kidney disease in cats are progressive and usually begin with an increase in thirst (polydipsia) and the amount of urine produced (polyuria). In general, the owner notices that their cat drinks more water and urinates more than usual. As the condition progresses and becomes chronic,<\/span> the following signs appear<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n

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