How is kidney failure treated in cats?

Kidney failure, also known as renal insufficiency, can either be acute or chronic in nature.

- Chronic kidney disease is more common in older cats. The kidney disease progresses over a longer period of time under which the condition worsens. It is often an age related disease but can occasionally be hereditary.

- Acute kidney disease occurs suddenly, and can either be due to an infection that has reached the kidneys or poisoning of some kind.

Symptoms differ between the two types.

- In acute kidney failure the cat becomes very quickly sick, exhausted, potentially feverish, and either urinates copiously or not at all. There can be blood in the urine. The kidneys are often painful which is exhibited as back or abdominal pain. Usually the cat vomits and loses its appetite.

- The symptoms develop gradually in chronic kidney failure. The first thing you notice is that your cat drinks more and urinates more than usually. It loses weight, muscles mass and its appetite. The longer the disease progresses the sicker the cat becomes, resulting in vomiting, constipation and fatigue.

The treatment depends on the cause of the kidney failure and how poorly the cat is doing. Very sick cats that do not eat or drink require hospitalization and treatment with intravenous fluids, anti-nausea medication, and if in pain, pain relief. Blood pressure medication may also be required. Diagnostics are performed to rule out any infection or toxins, and if found, are treated too.

When the cat is well enough to go home treatment is continued with a special kidney diet and, if required, blood pressure medication and dietary supplements. It is important to ensure that the cat gets to drink enough water by keeping many water bowls filled with water around the home. Revisits to the vet are important where blood pressure, kidney values, and electrolytes are re-checked. Often urine samples are also taken to check if any protein is lost in the urine. The treatment is then adjusted depending on the cat’s status and the test results.