Unfortunately, kidney failure in cats is a very common disease, especially in older cats, although it can affect to cats of all ages. In this article on our site, we will explain what this pathology consists of, with special attention to the symptoms that should put us on alert In addition, we will talk about the importance of nutrition both to prevent and control the progression of the disease.
What is kidney failure in cats?
Kidney failure occurs when one or both kidneys fail. It is not a specific disease, but a syndrome that decreases the functionality of the kidneys The renal system plays a very important role in the body, as it is responsible for filtering blood and eliminate waste substances through urine. When the kidneys begin to fail, they usually compensate until the damage is so advanced that symptoms appear, which are due to the accumulation of toxic substances. For this reason, sometimes, when the cat arrives at the vet, it is already very sick. The disease takes months and even years to develop. Hence, it is recommended to do blood and urine tests at least once a year in cats from approximately seven years of age. This is the chronic presentation of the disease, the most common, especially in older cats.
Chronic kidney disease is predisposed by factors specific to the cat and its environment. For example, aging has been linked to the compromise of the protective systems of the kidney. In addition, initial causes are distinguished as follows:
- Polycystic kidney disease, which is the most frequent congenital pathology. It mainly affects the Persian cat and its crosses.
- Bacterial pyelonephritis.
- Uroliths, popularly known as stones, in the upper urinary tract.
- Chronic viral infections such as leukemia or immunodeficiency.
- Kidney lymphoma.
- Consumption of unbalanced diets.
- Poisoning.
- Ischemia due to decreased blood flow.
In addition to a chronic presentation, there is a acute renal failure that appears suddenly and is more frequently due to infections or intoxications. Even an untreated urine infection can progress to kidney damage. This kidney failure in young cats is more likely.
To know the state of the cat's kidneys, the veterinarian will carry out a urine and blood analysis The density of the urine and, in the blood, creatinine, urea and, for less time, the biomarker SDMA. Ultrasounds may also be done. This determines how well the kidneys are working and the extent of the damage.
Stages of kidney failure in cats
Kidney disease can be more or less serious. Based on this data, a consensus has been reached to classify it into what are called stages. There are four, each with its characteristics and recommendations for treatment. The classification of the IRIS, which is the International Renal Interest Society, is as follows:
- Stage 1: implies a creatinine value less than 1, 6, with SDMA not greater than 18. There is no azotemia, which is the increase of certain substances in the urine.
- Stage 2: Creatinine is between 1.6 and 2.8. SDMA is between 18 and 25. There is Mild azotemia but no clinical signs. That is, the cat appears to be he althy. From this stage on, the administration of a specific diet is recommended.
- Stage 3: characterized by creatinine between 2, 9 and 5 and SDMA between 26 and 38. Azotemia is moderate and some symptoms of the disease begin to appear.
- Stage 4: Creatinine is greater than 5 and SDMA is greater than 38. There is severe azotemia.
Symptoms of kidney failure in cats
Kidney failure causes different symptoms that we can detect, although, initially, as they are non-specific or mild, they can go unnoticed. Therefore, to facilitate their identification, we are going to differentiate them according to whether the insufficiency is acute or chronic. Thus, these are the signs that can be detected if our cat suffers acute kidney failure:
- Depression.
- Dehydration, we can easily check it by taking a fold of skin between two fingers in the area of the withers and lifting it. How long it takes for the skin to return to its position indicates the degree of dehydration.
- Anorexy.
- Increase in the amount of urine eliminated or, conversely, the cat stops urinating. These have a worse prognosis.
- Vomiting.
- Temperature drop.
- Diarrhea.
- Neurological signs.
Detecting any of these symptoms is a reason to go to the vet urgently Otherwise, the cat may die. On the other hand, the clinical signs that can make us suspect a chronic kidney failure get worse over time and are the following:
- Increase in water consumption.
- Increased urine output.
- Dehydration.
- Anorexy.
- Vomiting.
- Depression.
- Bad appearance of the coat.
- Anemia.
- Hypertension.
- Weight loss.
- Halitosis, that is, a bad breath odor.
- Wounds in the mouth.
- Weakness.
Treatment of kidney failure in cats
The treatment of kidney disease is based on medication to control the symptoms and on prescribing a specific diet Feeding and hydration are key aspects, as well as the follow-up of the veterinarian, who will give us regular check-ups to control the evolution of the disease.
In this pathology, food should be considered just another medicine, which is why diets specifically formulated for these cats must be resorted to. As keeping the cat hydrated is essential, it is recommended to give wet food A dehydrated cat does not eat. If the cat only accepts the feed, we can give it moistened or supplement it with a wet diet. In any case, follow the advice of the veterinarian, as both an excess and a lack of protein are harmful and it is also necessary to control the intake of phosphorus Keep in mind that It is not strange that these cats are inappetent. In these cases it is more important that they eat whatever, even if it is not the most appropriate, before they remain fasting. In addition to food, provide clean, fresh water at various points, use fountains if they prefer moving water, offer them broths and divide the daily ration into several feedings, as it has been proven that it makes them drink more.
On the other hand, if your cat suffers from acute renal failure, as it is an emergency, the first thing to do is to stabilize it. For this, it is usually essential to admit him to the veterinary center to administer fluids and drugs intravenously.
Finally, in countries like the United States kidney transplants are being doneIt is not a widespread practice worldwide and, although good results are reported, it also requires an ethical assessment, since a kidney must be removed from a he althy cat.
Is there a natural treatment for kidney failure in cats?
What scientific evidence recommends for the treatment of kidney failure is, first of all, a diet formulated specifically for this pathology. It is true that we can opt for a homemade diet, which may even be better tolerated by some cats, but it is essential that it be a nutrition expert who designs the menu.
Regarding the treatment of symptoms, there are drugs for each of them. Although we can talk about different herbs, homeopathy or Bach flowers, the truth is that studies do not show the efficacy of medications.
Can kidney failure in cats be cured?
Kidney failure is always treatable, but that does not mean it can be cured If loss of functional kidney tissue has occurred, the damage is irreversible. These cats will need treatment for life and yet, in more or less time, the disease will continue to progress. The life expectancy since diagnosis stands at about 2-3 years, but it is highly variable depending on the situation of each cat. Therefore, if your cat has kidney failure, focus on offering him a good quality of life. Your well-being is more important than the years.
On the other hand, acute failure can cause rapid death of the cat Even if appropriate veterinary treatment is started, cats that do not they respond favorably in 24-48 hours, unfortunately, they usually die. For their part, cats that recover can go on to suffer from chronic renal failure.
