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Background
• Kidney disease can develop over a prolonged period of time or it can occur quite suddenly
• Damaged kidneys are not able to filter the blood as efficiently as before which means that toxins are not readily lost in urine and urine is not being concentrated properly leading to an excessive loss of water from the body
• We measure how effectively the kidneys are working by measuring the urea and creatinine levels in the blood
• Urea and creatinine are waste products that are filtered out of the blood
by the kidneys. If the kidneys are not working properly then their levels can increase (this happens when 75% of the kidneys are non-functional)
• A urine sample can also be analysed to check if the kidneys areconcentrating
the urine properly
• An ultrasound scan enables us to check the physical qualities of the kidney
• A blood pressure reading will add to the overall picture of your pet’s health
Common Clinical Signs
• Drinking and urinating more than usual
• Anorexia
• Vomiting
• Weight loss
• Depression
• Ulcers in the mouth
• Sudden blindness (due to high blood pressure becoming a consequence of kidney disease)
Other problems due to kidney disease are: anaemia (lack of red blood cells), increased blood pressure and dehydration.to redo the blood tests in 2-4 months to see if the results are more conclusive.
Treatment
There is much that vets can do to prolong a cat’s life and to improve the quality of that life after diagnosis. Kidney damage is irreversible so the success of treatment will, to some extent, depend on the severity of the disease. The following steps will support your cat’s kidney function and make them feel much better in the months or even years to come.
Change in diet: This has been found to be the single most effective therapy for kidney disease. Special renal/kidney diets restrict protein, restrict phosphate levels, restrict salt, increase levels of some vitamins and are supplemented with omega 3 and potassium.
The renal diets available are:
Hills KD (chicken flavour)
Royal Canin Renal Diet (beef, chicken and tuna flavour)
The above are formulated in tins/sachets or biscuit form. Animals can tend to get bored with these diets and so a rotation of formulations and flavours will help. Some pets may even refuse to eat the special diets so we support you through the transition process in our nurses clinics. Please do call us if you are having trouble.
Fortekor: This is a tablet which reduces the blood pressure within the kidney and can help slightly with lowering total blood pressure in the body.
Encourage your pet to drink more: This can be done by providing special drinking fountains.
Monitoring
Regular blood tests: To check levels of urea/creatinine/calcium/phosphorus every 3-6months. This could also include measurement of level of red blood cells
Regular weight checks
Dietry advice
Regular blood pressure checks every 3-6months
Further treatments may be required dependent on the above tests.
