3: Kidney Disease/Renal Failure

3: Kidney Disease/Renal Failure

Renal failure, which is caused by kidney disease, is one of the leading causes of death in older cats. Causes for kidney disease include age, genetics and environmental factors such as access ingesting poisonous substances. Renal failure in cats can take two forms: acute or chronic. Acute renal failure is associated with a sudden stop of kidney function, while chronic renal failure results from a progressive deterioration of kidney function.
A number of symptoms can show up as a result of kidney disease, including excessive urination, increased thirst, nausea, a grinding or cracking sound in the jaw, vomiting, dehydration, constipation, loss of appetite, weight loss, halitosis (ammonia smell) and lethargy. If your cat is experiencing any of these symptoms, your vet can test for kidney disease and renal failure. Urinalysis can test to see if the cat’s urine is diluted, which indicates that its kidneys aren’t passing waste. Blood tests can check on creatinine and BUN (blood urea nitrogen) levels. An elevated creatinine level can be a sign of loss of kidney function.
Although there is no cure for feline kidney disease, you can treat it through adjustments to your cat’s diet, medication and diuresis (hydration therapy). According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, the animal receiving treatment can survive for long periods of time using only 5 to 8 percent of their renal tissue.