One common ailment in felines, especially as they age, is kidney disease.
It’s often hard to tell when cats are under the weather. They don’t always show obvious signs early on as much as dogs might.
Some breeds such as Himalayans and Persians are susceptible to kidney problems. Many cases however, are acquired and are either acute onset kidney failure due to injury or ingestion of a toxic substance, or chronic kidney disease which progresses over a longer time period.
When caught early, kidney function can often be treated well with a positive prognosis. However, if found later in the process, the damage can be permanent and in some cases, fatal.
Symptoms
It can be difficult to detect symptoms early on as cats often show no visible symptoms. As the disease progresses, cats may drink more water, urinate more, eat less and have weight loss, fatigue and sometimes vomiting. If any of these symptoms are present, it is critical to get the cat to your vet quickly for evaluation and treatment.
Diagnosis
Veterinarians will do blood panel work to review various kidney function levels as well as urinalysis to determine the issues and best course of action.
Treatment
Specialty foods are available that specifically treat kidney problems. Cats with kidney function issues should adhere to a strict diet approved by the veterinarian. Supplemental fluids including IV or sub-cutaneous fluids may be required if your pet is significantly dehydrated and the kidneys adequately flushed.
Regular checkups and a good working partnership with your veterinarian will benefit your cat’s health over the long term.
