There are two distinct types of feline kidney disease – a chronic renal failure that develops and worsens over time and acute renal failure that develops suddenly. Kidney disease is one of the leading causes of cats’ death. As cats grow older, most of them will develop renal failure. Let us take a close look at kidney disease in cats, how it’s diagnosed, and what you can do as a cat owner to help your feline friend with this disease.
Kidney disease is a very common malady in cats, most especially in older cats. Detecting feline kidney disease in an early stage may allow you to take the necessary steps to slow its progression as well as prolong the life of your cat.
Table of Contents
Understanding Feline Kidney Disease
You must know the mechanics of your cat’s kidneys and feline kidney disease to better understand the treatment prescribed by your veterinarian. Remember there’s no cure for feline kidney disease, thus, your goal in treating your cat is to prolong his life as well as make him comfortable as long as he lives.
Think of the kidneys of your cat as a large filtration system that filters the toxins produced during metabolism. The moment the kidneys of your cat start to stop functioning normally, then these toxins will also start to accumulate in your cat’s body, which leads to the systems listed below. As the kidney disease progresses, your cat’s kidneys start to harden and less capable of filtering.
Symptoms of Kidney Disease in Cats
Renal failure symptoms might be subtle and could progress slowly. Your cat’s long-term health needs to seek immediate medical attention and intervention if you notice that he’s visiting his litter box or water bowl more frequently since this is an early indication that your feline friend could be having kidney disease. As this disease progresses, your feline friend will possibly experience weight loss, dehydration, vomiting, and bad breath. Your cat will also become less active and may stop grooming. His coat might also appear dull and he’ll probably become lethargic.
Feline Kidney Disease Diagnosis
Your vet will perform a thorough clinical examination to find out whether further kidney failure testing is necessary. Your vet will also perform a blood test so he can measure the amounts of specific byproducts of normal metabolism (creatinine and blood urea nitrogen). If these levels of your cat are higher than normal, then it’s considered as a clear indication that his kidneys are not filtering properly. The veterinarian will also perform other tests like urinalysis to determine if your cat’s urine is diluted or if it contains sugar and proteins since these are also early indications that your cat has kidney problems.
Kidney Disease Treatment in Cats
Since there’s no cure for feline kidney disease, proper treatment is aimed in order to prolong the life of your cat and make him more comfortable as long as he lives. The treatment plan heavily depends on the condition’s severity and is individualized based on the findings of your vet.
The very first step you should do is to encourage your feline friend to drink lots of water. This way, he’ll be less likely dehydrated which will help his kidneys filter better. It’s also best to add supplements and multivitamins prescribed by your vet to help boost your cat’s overall health, especially his immune system. Subcutaneous fluids help a lot in filtering toxins from your cat’s blood and are administered in the disease’s later stages. A diet with low-protein content is also advised since it creates much fewer waste products.
Kidney Disease Prognosis in Cats
There’s no cure for chronic kidney disease. But with the right treatment with the help of your vet, your cat might live for many months or even years. You’ll be the first one to identify whether your cat’s quality of life has deteriorated. Furthermore, chronic kidney disease is painless in general, but as it progresses, your cat may experience weakness, nausea, and lethargy.
[crp]
Common Questions About Life Expectancy of Cats with Kidney Disease
How Long Does a Cat Live After Being Diagnosed with Kidney Disease?
The kidney disease’s prognosis is quite variable basing in response to the treatment’s initial stage as well as the ability of a cat owner to do the follow-up care. This is why most vets encourage proper treatment since most cats with kidney disease can be able to respond to the treatment and maintain a quality life for up to 4 years.
Can A Cat Recover from Kidney Failure?
Once a cat’s kidneys are damaged, chances are they have limited ability to fully recover. But with the help of your vet in providing your cat the proper treatment, most chronic kidney disease cases progress slowly. Make sure to give your cat the right treatment and proper management for him to have several years of active and good quality life ahead.
How Long Can a Cat Live with Kidney Failure Without Treatment?
In some cases, the cat’s kidneys are very worn out that they can’t be revived anymore. However, your cat can live actively for several months and or years with the right immediate treatment. Even if your cat improves, treatment isn’t concluded yet. The kidneys of your cat are still damaged and it will never return to normal anymore. Without continued proper treatment, there’s a big possibility that your cat will soon be back in developing kidney failure. Thus, home treatment is very important.
Conclusion
Regular checkups with your trusted veterinarian are very important for your feline friend, even if he seems healthy. These regular checkups can help a lot in detecting early changes in the physical condition of your cat, like those associated with kidney failure. This will allow changes in home care that can extend the life expectancy of your cat.
