Feline kidney disease, also known as chronic kidney disease (CKD), is one of the most common diseases affecting senior cats.
According to the Cornell Feline Health Center, CKD affects up to 40 percent of cats over the age of 10 and as many as 80 percent of cats over 15 years old. Therefore, CKD remains one of the most prevalent conditions in older felines.
CKD progresses to the point where the kidneys fail to filter out the body’s wastes; to regulate the amount of fluid in the body, to regulate the levels of electrolytes in the body; and can go unnoticed until the late stage of the disease.
The early detection of subtle symptoms of CKD will significantly enhance the quality of life of a feline by allowing timely treatment and emphasising the importance of vigilant pet ownership and regular visits to the veterinarian.
Understanding Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats
A Cat’s kidneys perform several important functions including removing toxic substances from the bloodstream, regulating hormone production for the production of red blood cells, and maintaining an adequate level of hydration.
CKD usually develops gradually over many years due to age, genetics, infection, and/or toxin exposure, whereas acute kidney injury occurs rapidly due to dehydration or toxin exposure.
Typically, by the time noticeable signs of CKD are evident, between 50-75 percent of kidney function has been compromised, which further emphasizes why the owner needs to recognize the early onset of this disease.
Older felines have a greater risk of developing CKD than younger felines, with the incidence of CKD increasing substantially after seven years of age.
While some breeds such as Persian cats, may have a genetic predisposition to develop CKD, any feline can develop CKD from recurrent urinary tract infections or uncontrolled hypertension.
Subtle Early Signs Often Overlooked
Many pet owners will wait months to get a diagnosis after they first notice some of the milder symptoms of kidney disease because the owner believes that these are just a part of their cat’s aging process.
Some examples of the subtle indicators that cats with kidney disease exhibit at the onset of the disease include:
- Increased thirst and urination: Because the cat has difficulty concentrating the waste products in its urine, it will drink more water than usual and excrete more volume than it used to; however, this could be overlooked if there are multiple cats living in the home and therefore multiple cats using the same litter box.
- Mild weight loss or muscle atrophy: The cat may lose body condition over time and appear to have no loss of appetite and thus owners will attribute the pet’s weight loss to picky eating.
- Small changes in the quality of the coat: Poorly hydrated and toxic felines will often show dull, unkempt coats which can cause an owner to assume the pet is not being properly groomed.
- Changes in behavior: As the cat begins to feel unwell, the cat may begin to hide more frequently, become less active, or become more aloof which may be indicative of the early stages of discomfort or nausea.
- Foul-smelling breath (halitosis): In cats with kidney disease, the build-up of uremic toxins creates an ammonia-like odor in the cat’s mouth prior to the cat beginning to vomit.
Because many of these signs are similar to those exhibited by cats suffering from diseases such as diabetes and hyperthyroidism, monitoring and tracking your cat’s behaviors and/or physical changes is essential.
Why Early Diagnosis Matters?
Early detection of stages 1-2 CKD allows for interventions that can help slow disease progression, thereby adding years to the lives of cats.
Elevated serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels are indicative of kidney function decline. Urinalysis reveals dilute urine and significant proteinuria.
If no preventative actions are taken, cats will advance to stage 4 CKD, characterized by severe anemia, bone thinning and organ failure. Senior feline wellness examinations utilizing the diagnostic tools listed above allow veterinarians to detect potential problems prior to clinical signs becoming apparent.
Dr Roy states that at Modern Vet Hospital, “Our specialist team is made up of professionals from the top veterinary clinics in Dubai that aim to provide treatment to your pet and maintain the highest quality care.
We provide full spectrum medical services that include preventive medicine, diagnostics, surgery, emergency treatment and many other options. For accurate testing, contact a vet Dubai.
Steps to Address Suspected Kidney Disease
Act Immediately When Early Symptoms Appear:
- Follow Water Intake: Follow your cat’s water intake (usual is 50 – 100 ml/kg of body weight per day), and monitor your pet every week by weighing them.
- Put Your Cat on a Kidney Diet: Use prescription food that has low levels of phosphorus and protein so it does not burden the kidneys.
- Add Fresh Water Sources: Install fountains to make your cat want to drink water and keep them from getting dehydrated.
- Schedule A Veterinarian Visit: Ask your veterinarian to order an SDMA (Steradianine Dimeric Molecule A) blood test for your cat to detect disease in its early stages before symptoms become apparent through traditional methods.
Medication, including ACE Inhibitors, will help reduce your cat’s blood pressure; providing subcutaneous (sub-Q) fluids at home will also help prevent a crisis. Reducing stress will also benefit your cat’s kidney function.
Treatment and Long Term Care
There is no known treatment for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). The best way to manage this condition is by using multi-modal therapy. There are several ways to do this:
- Therapy Through Diet: Provide your cat with renal supportive food, whether kibble or canned, to reduce the amount of toxins they absorb.
- Food and Fluid Therapy: Provide your cat with sub-Q fluid therapy once a week to ensure they remain hydrated.
- Medication: Antinausea medications, phosphate binders, and blood pressure medications will all assist in controlling complications related to CKD.
- Monitoring: Have quarterly blood work done to monitor how fast your cat’s disease is progressing.
Depending on how responsive your cat is to treatment, many cats have been able to live for 2 – 5 years after receiving their diagnosis.
If your cat has advanced CKD, you should seek out oncology services if you suspect that a tumor is contributing to the condition. These services are usually only found in veterinary specialty hospitals.
Expert Tips for Prevention
The sooner you begin preventive care with your kitten, the better off they will be as they age.
- The first step to preventive care is annual check-ups with blood work starting when your cat is seven years old.
- Avoid exposing your cat to toxic substances, especially lilies and antifreeze.
- Keep your cat at an optimal weight to avoid straining their kidneys.
Some veterinarians partner with Hill’s Pet Nutrition to create starter kits for kittens that emphasize the importance of establishing good habits from the start of life.
Modern Vet is one example of these partnerships.
Conclusion
Kidney disease is silent until you listen.
With attentive owners, they are no longer silent; instead, they can be identified by their owner through subtle signs of excessive thirst or a change in coat, which will lead to early detection and intervention in place of an otherwise bad prognosis for long term management.
Work with your veterinarian to run blood work and develop a plan for your cat’s specific needs.
Your cat’s life relies on this.
Schedule a visit with a trusted veterinary clinic today so your cat continues to have those additional playful leaps and loving purrs.