Kidney Issues in Cat Symptoms

What are kidney issues in cats?

Kidney issues in cats develop when the cat’s kidneys are unable to function properly. This may lead to kidney failure when both kidneys of the cat are affected and the cat can no longer efficiently remove waste products from their system.

 

The kidneys are responsible for numerous important processes within the animal body. They filter out and excrete waste products from the bloodstream, maintain normal salt and water(electrolyte) balance, and generate hormones which produce red blood cells and control blood pressure.

 

Kidney symptoms in cats are different for acute and chronic kidney disease. If the kidneys are not functioning properly for more than 3 months, it is known as Chronic Kidney disease (CKD). CKD is one of the most leading conditions to affect older cats (above 7 years). It develops when there is irreversible, long term damage to the kidneys. It is an advanced condition, but the rate at which this develops can be unpredictable between cats. Some cats may live for many years with a progressive worsening of signs. The sooner a diagnosis is done and treatment started, the better the outcome for any animal.

 

Kidney diseases that are shorter in duration are named as Acute Kidney Injury or Failure. Depending on the severity and cause and unlike CKD, many animals may fully recover from acute kidney disease.

 

Causes of kidney issues in cats

In many cases, the exact cause of chronic kidney disease is unknown and research is ongoing. CKD in cats is sometimes caused by:

 

• Inflammation of the glomeruli (cleaning units of kidney)

• Damage to kidneys due to a kidney infection

• Excess loss of protein through your kidney

• Toxin damage

• Abnormal kidneys formation at birth

• Kidney tumorssuch as, Lymphoma

• Inherited diseases like Polycystic kidney disease in particular breeds, e.g; Persians

 

Early stage kidney disease in cats is caused by various factors. Acute kidney failure in cats may be caused by:

 

• Infection

• Heart failure

• Toxins

• Trauma

• Certain medications

• Certain kinds of tumors

• Blockage of the urinary system parts such as bladder or kidney stones

• An unexpected drop in blood pressure e.g., due to general anesthesia, blood loss

 

Kidney issues in cat symptoms

 

Chronic kidney issues in cat symptoms

In the early stage of kidney disease in cats, there can be very few signs. The symptoms progress as the kidney is unable to remove wastes properly and the cat starts to suffer more outcomes of this. The commonly seen kidney problems in cat symptoms are:

 

• Increased thirst

• Reduced appetite

• Increased urine production

• Gradual loss in weight as a result of loss of protein in the urine and poor appetite

• Vomiting due to buildup of toxin in the system

• Sleeping more/Lethargy

• Weakness due to anemia, muscle wastage and low blood potassium

• Dehydration as a result of excess water loss into the urine

• Bad breath (halitosis) as a result of oral and gastric ulceration  and toxin build-up

 

In the latter stages of kidney problems in cats, they will become dehydrated, weak, feeling constantly sick and start to feel very unwell. They will also be in severe pain from ulceration of the stomach lining and mouth and toxin build-up leading to blindness, headaches, and eventually collapse.

 

Acute kidney failure in cats symptoms

In acute kidney failure, the cat will show signs and symptoms in a matter of hours or days. Kidney issues in cat symptoms may include:

 

• Sudden anorexia (not eating)

• Vomiting (a few with blood)

• Strange smelling breath

• Diarrhea

• Seizures

• Some cats may urinate more frequently, while others may produce no urine at all.

 

Cats with acute kidney failure will feel very down in a short period of time. They commonly seem to be in serious pain due to kidney swelling and may collapse or cry constantly.

Kidney issues in cats diagnosis

Kidney disease is often diagnosed with the help of routine blood work and a urinalysis, looking particularly at such kidney markers as:

 

Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is a waste product of protein metabolism. Higher values can determine kidney failure.

 

Creatinine (CREA) measures how perfectly kidneys are filtering waste from blood.

 

Calcium increased levels, though not as usual, are commonly seen with kidney damage.

 

Phosphorous higher levels generally indicate kidney damage.

 

Electrolytes (potassium, sodium, chloride) are typically affected by the primary disease, but also by secondary factors like a lack of appetite and vomiting.

 

Red blood cell count lower levels may predict kidney failure.

 

White blood cell count elevated level may indicate inflammation or infection or inflammation.

 

Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) is an additional test for the determination of kidney disease. It can be used for early determination of kidney problems in cats.

 

Urine specific gravity is a marker of how concentrated or diluted the urine is. Commonly, the greater the number, the more concentrated the urine and the higher the ability of the kidneys to preserve water.

 

Urine sediment detects the presence of bacteria, protein, kidney cells and casts, white/red blood cells. It is an detection of  infection or kidney damage.

 

Detection of kidney issues in cat symptoms require additional tests. Your veterinarian will recommend some additional diagnostic testing, including:

 

A urine protein to creatinine (UPC) ratio for detection of protein quality  being lost in the urine.

 

A urine culture, because cats having chronic kidney disease are more likely to get urinary tract infections.

 

A blood pressure evaluation to evaluate if high blood pressure can be a manifestation or cause of kidney disease.

 

Abdominal ultrasound or radiography  to screen for cysts, kidney stones, and infarcts (sections of dead tissue).

 

A kidney biopsy for the determine of the type of glomerular (the filtering unit of the kidney) disease present.

 

Once diagnosed, commonly kidney disease is then classified into 4 stages depending on the severity of laboratory values and clinical signs:

 

Stage I: Clinical signs are commonly not apparent

Stage II: Some kidney issues in cat symptoms are noted

Stage III: Most of clinical signs are seen and cats often appear to feel sick

Stage IV: Majority of clinical signs and symptoms are noted, and cats often present in crisis

 

Cat kidney disease treatment

Cat kidney disease treatment depends on the results of various blood tests, and particular treatments aim to treat specific abnormalities. Most cats are efficiently managed with the help of diet change, which includes supplementation and one or two additional treatments. Your veterinarian works with you to choose the best treatment for your cat.

 

Therapeutic diets

Low phosphorus and restricted protein diets help lower waste products levels in the bloodstream. These can be prepared at home or are available prepared from any veterinary practice.

 

Antibiotics

Cats with chronic kidney disease develop bladder infections more frequently, which increase the risk of kidney infections, so routine urine cultures are recommended for a lot of patients.

 

Phosphate binders

Despite low phosphate levels in the diet, phosphorus levels in blood in some cats remain above normal. Reducing blood phosphorus level in blood can have a major impact on improving well-being and slowing progression of disease of your cat. Aluminum hydroxide is a phosphate binder which helps to lower the amount of phosphorus absorbed by the gut wall.

 

Potassium supplementation

Cats in kidney failure lose too much potassium in the urine. This causes stiffness, muscle weakness, and poor hair quality. Low potassium levels may also lead to the worsening of kidney issues in cat symptoms.

 

B Vitamins

When the failing kidneys are unable to concentrate the urine, water-soluble vitamins such as B12 become depleted, and cats need supplementation.

 

Antiemetics

These are used for those cats facing vomiting, using anti-emetics (anti-vomiting medications) decreases nausea, thereby improving appetite.

 

Blood-pressure lowering drugs

Many cats experiencing kidney failure have high blood pressure, which leads to further kidney damage. Medicines are used to manage high blood pressure.

 

Medication to reduce proteinuria, another condition that may rush the procession of CKD.

 

Treatment for anemia

Kidneys start the production of red blood cells in bone marrow. Many cats with chronic kidney disease are anemic because of lack of stimulation of the bone marrow. Advanced drugs have been developed to help stimulation of bone marrow production and can be prescribed for your cat.

 

Subcutaneous (SQ) fluids

In the progressive stages of CKD, cats are not able to drink enough to maintain healthy hydration. Subcutaneous fluids are allowed by cats and can improve their life quality.

 

Prevention of kidney issues in cats

Some causes of kidney disease can be preventable (like toxicological causes), but unfortunately, many causes are not. Heritable conditions are not preventable, but cats with the genes of the disease, or affected cats should not be bred.

 

To limit exposure to toxins of your cat, keep lilies out of the house and block access to the medications, garage, and household cleaners. Reducing exposure to additional cats while keeping your cat accomplished on vaccines and flea control and monthly heartworm-is recommended.

 

If you notice any of the kidney issues in cat signs and symptoms above, take your cat to a veterinarian for an exam as early as possible. Early diagnosis and medications are keys to maintain quality of life.