Treating a Cat with Feline Kidney Disease

A cat's kidneys serve the important function of filtering her blood to remove waste products. When a cat's kidneys are diseased or failing, waste products can build up in the body, causing further damage and illness. However, feline kidney disease, and even feline kidney failure, can be managed.

Not every veterinarian is equally skilled at diagnosing and treating feline kidney disease. For example, if your vet recommends euthanasia upon diagnosis, you need another veterinarian. Ask your vet about his or her experience treating kidney disease. Remember that your cat is trusting you to make her health decisions and to see that she receives proper care. Dont be afraid to request a second opinion or change veterinarians. Any veterinarian whos threated by your desire to consult another veterinarian isnt a veterinarian you want to continue to patronize.

Symptoms of feline kidney disease include:

• Vomiting. Your cat may vomit a clear, foamy liquid or even blood.
• Decreased appetite or a refusal to eat. Your cat may have little interest in eating. Conversely, your cat may seem interested in eating, but walk away from her food without eating any.
• Increased stomach acid. This can manifest in a number of ways, including a gurgling stomach, a poor appetite, refusal to eat, vomiting or grinding teeth.
• Mouth Ulcers. You may be able to see ulcers in your cat's mouth.
• Weakness in the two back legs.
• Sudden loss of vision or blindness.
• Constipation
• Anemia
• Howling, especially at night.
• Eating cat litter
• Twitching
• Dehydration

Feline kidney disease is usually diagnosed by several blood tests. BUN and creatinine are the chief indicators of kidney function. BUN, or blood urea nitrogen, is produced when protein is broken down during digestion. Normally BUN is filtered out by healthy kidneys, but when the kidneys are damaged or failing, BUN levels in the blood rise. An elevated BUN level by itself doesnt provide an absolute diagnosis for example, BUN levels can be elevated if your cat is dehydrated, or has been consuming a lot of protein in her diet.

For this reason, vets also test creatine levels to confirm feline kidney disease. Creatinine is another waste product filtered out of the blood stream by healthy kidneys. Elevated creatinine levels are more diagnostic of kidney disease than elevated BUN levels. In addition, some veterinarians may also suggest an ultrasound to confirm kidney disease. Just be sure to find out what the diagnostic utility of this test is expected to be, as kidney ultrasounds dont always provide useful results, and can be expensive.

The first treatment for feline kidney disease is a prescription diet. This diet is usually lower in protein to make things easier for the kidneys. Vitamin B supplements may also be given. Some medications can also be given that help to reduce the amount of toxins in the blood stream Azodyl is one of the most popular.

Other treatments focus on relieving symptoms or secondary issues. Cats with kidney disease are often frequently given subcutaneous fluids to help combat dehydration. Your cat may also be treated with medications to help improve the number of red blood cells she has to combat anemia. Some medications can help stimulate your cat's appetite, while others can manage hypertension or help to resolve imbalances, such as too little potassium. Once your vet has diagnosed feline kidney disease, you can work together to come up with a treatment plan that works for you and your cat.