Imagine the following situation: your beloved cat, once healthy as a horse, it’s not acting like itself. Suddenly, it started to lose some weight, eat less and its fur is no longer as shiny as it once was. What could it be?
There is no right answer to that question. In fact, those symptoms are very nonspecific. But, when it comes to cats, chronic kidney disease (also known as CKD) could be the answer no one wants to hear.
If your cat was diagnosed with CKD or you think it may have it, stay tuned! Throughout our chat, you’ll find out a lot about this disease and what to do in case of a positive diagnosis.
What is CKD?
The kidneys are vital organs, responsible for filtering waste from the body as our blood rushes through the organ. They also have an important role in maintaining our blood pressure and red cell production.
Kidney disease happens when the kidneys are no longer able to work properly. It can happen as an acute problem — when, for example, the cat ingests something toxic — or a chronic one.
Chronic kidney disease is a long-term and progressive condition. Our main goal is slowing its progression, allowing the patient to live a long and happy life.
What causes chronic kidney disease?
Sometimes, the acute kidney disease may turn chronic. It happens when the feline ingested something toxic or used some medications for a long time.
Other reasons are:
- pyelonephritis (kidney infection);
- nephrolithiasis (kidney stones);
- ureteral or urethral obstructions, causing swelling of the kidneys since the fluid cannot be excreted.
Other possible reasons are hereditary factors and some infectious diseases, such as FIV or FeLV. In time, they can cause damage to kidney structures known as glomerulus.
How does CKD present itself?
The main symptoms of chronic kidney disease in cats are:
- loss of appetite;
- weight loss;
- vomiting and nausea;
- increased thirst;
- increased urination.
At the first stages, the cat may even be asymptomatic. At later stages, it may present a foul breath, followed or not by sores all over its mouth. Other symptoms are dry and/or coarse fur and decreased activity.
How is the proper diagnosis made?
In most cases, CKD’s diagnosis starts with a blood sample. Kidney markers (Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine) are some of the most used results. Sodium, potassium, chloride and a full blood panel are also very helpful in determining the stage of the illness.
Your vet may also need other tests to confirm and stage your cat’s CKD. Urinalysis and an abdominal ultrasound are important tools to guide the doctor’s next steps.
My cat has been diagnosed. What now?
The first step is: don’t freak out. We know it is hard learning that someone you cherish so dearly has a progressive disease. But CKD can be manageable, especially if it is caught early on. That’s why follow-ups are so important for our pets!
CKD’s treatment can be done in many ways. Some cats will need to:
- take some meds to control blood pressure, vomiting and other issues;
- intravenous or subcutaneous fluid therapy, for hydration purposes;
- follow a prescription diet, low in phosphorus.
Your vet will be able to provide you all the information you need. The choice of treatment will be taken by considering the stage of your cat’s CKD, among other reasons such as possible concomitant diseases.
We hope this article helped you understand a little more about chronic kidney disease in cats! Now, it’s your turn. Keep on educating yourself about the subject and follow your veterinarian’s instructions closely.
If possible, choose a Feline Medicine Specialist to check on your cat. They know exactly how to deal with CKD and will be able to provide more specific care in this situation. Contact us and schedule your appointment!
