Other

The cat has one kidney failure, what should I do? How to Tell if Your Cat Has Kidney Problems

Kidney disease is quite common in domestic cats. It is important to recognize the disease at an early stage, which can be difficult to do. What are the symptoms of kidney disease, how to treat and prevent it, let’s try to figure it out together.

The cat has kidney pain symptoms and signs

Many cats end up in the veterinarian's office too late, when nothing can be done to help. What symptoms should alert the owner:
- cat urine is colorless and odorless, there is more of it than usual, because the kidneys do not cleanse the body of harmful substances;
- the animal loses its appetite, vomiting and the smell of ammonia from the mouth appear - these are signs of intoxication of the body and urea getting into the blood and saliva;

- ulcerations appear in the mouth, teeth are destroyed, because urea that gets into the saliva decomposes in the mouth;
- the nose and gums become white as a result of anemia;
- the eyes become bloodshot due to an increase in the animal’s blood pressure.

Kidney diseases can remain asymptomatic for a long time, so it is necessary to undergo a preventive examination with the animal at the clinic once a year in order to detect the disease in time.

A cat's kidneys have failed, can it be saved, how long will the cat live and will they die from it?

A cat cannot be saved if its kidneys fail. People undergo kidney transplants and hemodialysis - pumping blood through a special machine. Animals are not given this kind of help. Pills and injections can only relieve pain, but the kidney cells will not recover. The animal begins to experience terrible pain when the kidneys fail and is usually euthanized.

What are the normal kidneys in a cat, their size and location

The size of the kidneys depends on how large the animal is. In big cats, the kidneys reach 4 cm, in small cats they can be 2 centimeters. This organ resembles a bean in shape and is located along the first lumbar vertebrae, closer to the back. The ureters extend from the kidneys to the bladder.

Treatment of kidney stones in cats with folk remedies

The presence of kidney stones is characterized by an acute attack of renal colic; the cat may experience severe pain. Among the non-traditional methods of treatment for kidney diseases, decoctions of herbs - dandelion, nettle and alfalfa - are useful. They are prepared in the usual way and given to the animal three times a day at the rate of one and a half pipettes per 1 kilogram of body weight.

Be sure to visit a veterinary hospital, the doctor will prescribe antispasmodics, diuretics and painkillers. The animal is put on a special diet. Surgery may be needed if the kidney stones are large.

Kidney stones in a cat, surgery and its price

Veterinary clinics have different prices for services, so it is necessary to discuss the price with your veterinarian. Kidney stones are removed under general anesthesia.

If the owner is against it or there are contraindications, no one will perform the operation. General anesthesia in private veterinary clinics in Moscow costs about 3 thousand rubles, add to this the cost of tests, consultation with a doctor and surgery.

My cat has kidney pain, how can I help her with pills?

The doctor may prescribe drotaverine or noshpa. In addition to antispasmodics, antibiotics are needed, which are given to the animal according to the scheme (lincomycin, kefzol, zeporin). Treatment with uroseptics (palin, furagin) is carried out under the supervision of a doctor. Rehydron is prescribed against dehydration.

You cannot put off visiting a doctor because nephrons, the cells that make up the kidney, are not being restored. In the early stages of the disease, the animal can still be helped if the correct treatment is carried out.

Kidney failure- a serious disease characteristic of aging cats (after 8 years). Treatment of kidney failure in cats is aimed at eliminating the cause of the disease, maintaining kidney function, ridding the body of accumulated toxins and overall recovery. Most often, it is possible to ensure normal functioning of the cat through medication, timely therapy and constant support of kidney function.

What is kidney failure

Kidney failure is a condition in which the kidneys fail to flush out toxins from the body and lead to fluid imbalance. The disease manifests itself with kidney damage up to 80%. Urine becomes almost colorless, which indicates that it does not remove toxic substances from the body.

Types of kidney failure

1 classification:

Acute - with acute renal failure it is possible to restore kidney function;

Chronic - kidney tissue degenerates into connective tissue. The process is irreversible; the kidneys do not restore function.

Classification 2 (according to causes):

Before renal. The cause of kidney dysfunction is impaired blood supply due to severe dehydration or prolonged exposure to anesthesia.

After the kidney. Occurs against the background of abnormal urine outflow caused by (blockage of the urinary canal).

Actually kidney failure. Occurs after poisoning with a toxic substance and is a consequence of chronic diseases (in particular, chronic kidney inflammation).

Kidney failure in cats: symptoms, treatment

The onset of the disease is almost impossible to suspect, since there are no signs. The disease manifests itself when more than 50% of the kidney tissue is affected. As a rule, a reason to think that a cat’s condition indicates a diagnosis of renal failure is an analysis of its recent behavior - changed preferences, unhealthy appearance and poor activity.

The most common symptoms of kidney failure

1. The cat comes to the water bowl more often, drinks a lot and pees more.

2. Decreased appetite and weight loss of the cat.

3. The cat has become calmer and plays less.

4. Periodic vomiting (as a result of intoxication).

5. The coat loses its shine, becomes dull, dry, and does not even out after ruffling.

6. The smell from your mouth takes on an ammonia-like hue (not everyone can recognize this smell).

7. The mucous membrane of the mouth is paler than usual, ulcers may form.

8. The nose has become paler.

9. Long-term symptom of dehydration).

10. In severe stages - swelling of the abdomen and paws.

With acute renal failure and chronic renal failure, the entire body suffers, so the disease is classified as life-threatening and requires immediate treatment with medications.

When the kidneys are working well, toxins, waste and toxic substances are eliminated from the body, there are no surges in blood pressure, and normal production of enzymes and some hormones occurs. The kidneys are involved in the formation of blood cells.

If the kidneys fail, the pressure drops, the heart is overloaded, anemia develops, the body is cluttered with toxins, the cat becomes lethargic, inactive, and vomits. The digestive system suffers greatly, hormonal levels change. Kidney dysfunction leads to a complete malfunction of the entire body.

Diagnostics

AKI or chronic renal failure can only be diagnosed by a veterinarian by passing a urine and blood test. A clear sign of kidney failure is the level of creatinine, as well as high levels of protein in the urine and the presence of pus (if an infection develops).

Acute renal failure in cats treatment, diagnosis, causes

ARF has several stages

1. Prerenal insufficiency

AKI occurs as a result of a powerful one-time impact on the kidneys. These include:

Heatstroke,

Acute heart failure,

Traumatic shock (if the animal is seriously injured)

Hemorrhagic shock (bleeding),

Shock due to dehydration

Severe infectious diseases.

2. Renal failure

Stage of kidney tissue damage

Provoking factors:

Kidney diseases in the chronic stage - pyelonephritis, nephritis, glomerulonephritis (infectious kidney diseases).

Intoxication due to taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Poisoning with toxic substances,

Infections that inhibit kidney function.

Blood clotting that exceeds normal levels

Heavy metal salts damage the kidneys.

3. Postrenal failure

Does not destroy kidney tissue. It occurs as a consequence of long-standing trauma and the presence of tumors of the genitourinary system.

Clinical symptoms of acute renal failure

A number of symptoms that are noticeable to the pet owner

1. Strong thirst.

2. Lack of appetite, no interest even in treats.

3. The cat suddenly becomes apathetic.

4. . After it the cat feels better.

5. The urge to urinate does not result in voiding. Or urine comes out in droplets.

6. The color of the urine is pink or dark.

7. Cramps.

8. Coma. How can you tell if your cat is in a coma? She “sleeps” for a very long time, her body is cool, her breathing is maintained, her body is soft.

Symptoms noted by the veterinarian

1. Decrease in blood pressure and temperature.

2. Enlarged kidneys.

3. Enlarged bladder.

4. Smell of ammonia from the mouth.

Treatment of acute renal failure

If the kidneys have retained the ability to produce urine, then adequate treatment will lead to the cat’s recovery within a month. The prognosis for survival is poor in the absence of urine.

This means that the kidney tissue has degenerated into connective tissue and will never be able to form urine. Toxins accumulate in the body, blood pressure drops, and death occurs.

Treatment of acute renal failure requires hemodialysis. This is blood filtration.

To restore the flow of urine, a saline drip is needed. This is also a must if you are dehydrated.

To lower blood pressure (measured by a veterinarian) and dilate blood vessels in the kidneys - Papaverine, No-shpa(injections).

Definitely an antibiotic Amoxicillin.

Analgesic - Baralgin. If there is no effect and if there is severe pain, use Novocaine.

Anti-vomiting - Cerucal.

Chronic renal failure in cats treatment

Treatment of chronic renal failure includes:

Diet and stimulation of interest in food, increased appetite.

Bringing blood pressure back to normal (continuous monitoring).

Supporting heart function, eliminating heart failure.

Restoration of mineral, water-salt and acid-base balances.

Vitamin therapy.

Hemodialysis.

It is important to eliminate the cause of the disease, cleanse the body of toxins, support the functioning of all organs - regulate mineral metabolism, establish control over cardiac activity, prevent gastric or intestinal bleeding, and provide a dietary menu.

Treatment of chronic kidney disease in cats

Chronic renal failure is dangerous because it leads to a malfunction of the entire body, which is why large-scale complex therapy is required.

Chronic kidney disease in cats: treatment by stages

1. If chronic renal failure is diagnosed in cats, treatment begins with antibiotics. They are aimed at treating the cause of renal failure - pyelonephritis.

Taking into account the weakened functioning of the kidneys and, for this reason, incomplete absorption of the drug, the course is at least 30 days. In special cases, lifelong therapy is provided. An antibiotic may also be prescribed for a 5-day course. Ciprofloxacin- dosage 5-20 mg/kg body weight once a day or dividing this dose into 2 doses.

Also Baytril(active ingredient enrofloxacin), injection 2.5% or 5%. Inject intramuscularly or subcutaneously, up to 5 mg per kg of body weight once a day. Baytril affects pathogenic flora, is well absorbed even in the presence of pus or in an acidic environment, and does not cause allergies. The drug is highly not recommended to be taken together with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

ANALOGUES: Enrofloxacin 50, Enroxil 5%, Enrocept 5% or 10%, Enromag, Enroflox 5%, Enroflon 5%.

Cifran (tablets) and Baytril (injections)- antibiotics that are well suited for emergency treatment. It is difficult to determine how long the disease has lasted in a cat. Therefore, it is advisable to administer one of these powerful antibiotics, which does not delay treatment.

Only 1 antibiotic should be used in the treatment of renal failure.

2. A hormonal drug is used - Dexamethasone. Relieves swelling, increases the animal's appetite, promotes diuresis, and improves general condition. Dosage 0.2 mg per kg intramuscularly or intravenously. The course is until the water balance is normalized. Next move on to Metipredu, once every 2-6 days. Hormones can provoke intestinal bleeding, so never exceed the dosage.

3. The introduction of a diuretic is mandatory. Furosemide. Dosage: 0.1 ml per kg of body weight intramuscularly, twice a day. If the effect is not noticeable, the dose can be increased up to 4 times. Once the effect is achieved, you can replace the injections with tablets Furosemide and Veroshpiron.

4. It is important to introduce drugs containing potassium into the course of treatment, because With PN there is a significant loss of potassium. Panangin (or analogue of Asparkam- another manufacturer). The effectiveness of the drugs is the same. Dosage: 1 tablet per 10 kg of weight up to 3 times a day. The individual dosage is calculated individually depending on the test results.

5. Due to dehydration and the development of pathogenic flora, the animal experiences constipation. To avoid additional intoxication, a laxative is necessary. In the absence of vomiting, it is advisable to use Lactulose. Dosage - 1 ml per day. Also suitable Duphalac. Both drugs are preferable in suspension form. They reduce the ammonia content in the intestines, promote the growth of beneficial bacteria, soften stool and provoke the urge to bowel movement. The duration of treatment is until stool and bowel movements are normalized.

A preparation containing live bacteria is also recommended. These include Bifidum 791 BAG. Dosage - 1 dose per day. Give to the cat with a small amount of warm boiled water. Some of the bacteria take root in the intestines and normalize digestion and bowel movements.

6. Against dehydration: subcutaneous droppers - a mixture of 500 ml Ringer's with 50 ml 40% glucose. If potassium is high, use saline solution instead of Ringer's. By the rate of absorption of the drug, you can determine how successfully the body overcomes the water load. Each subsequent dropper can be placed only after the previous one has completely dissolved.

7. For vomiting: Metoclopramide. Dosage: 0.5-0.7 mg/10 kg. The course is no more than 5 days.

Ondansetron. Dosage: 0.5 mg/kg. Injects into the muscle when vomiting occurs.

8. To lower blood pressure and support the heart - Enap, Cocarboxylase. Enap at a dosage of 0.25 mg/kg, and be sure to monitor the animal’s reaction. Cocarboxylase - 5 mg per kg. It is administered intramuscularly, once or twice a day.

9. Detox medications:

- Enterosgel. 10 g per 5 kg of weight, once a day. For animals weighing over 5 kg, an adequate dose is 20 g.

- Liarsin. For an adult cat - the minimum dosage is 0.5, the maximum is 2 ml, up to 2 times a day. Course - up to 2 weeks.

- Sirepar. 1.5-3 ml daily until signs of intoxication completely disappear.

- Lespenefril- removes nitrogenous substances from the blood. Dosage - 0.5 teaspoon with a small amount of water, give to the cat once a day for a month. It is convenient to give the medicine by taking it into a syringe without a needle, squeezing a few drops through the corner of the cat’s mouth.

10. Against anemia.

Recormon- dosage: 25-50 units/kg up to three times a week.

Ursoferan- 0.5 ml, inject under the skin or into a muscle, once a day.

Folic acid, vitamin B12.

Hemobalance- injections. Dosage for weight up to 5 kg - 0.25 ml. Weighing more than 5 kg - 0.50 ml. Injects from 1 to 3 times a week. administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously.

The analysis should show 30% hemocrit. If the level is lower with such therapy, the drug is given on an ongoing basis. This is important for ensuring the vital functions of the body.

11. Be sure to provide gastrointestinal support, because the mucous membrane becomes severely irritated, leading to the formation of ulcers due to the fact that urea in the stomach turns into ammonia.

- Ranitidine- 2 mg per kg - intravenous injections. Introduce very slowly. You can also replace it with tablets at the rate of 3.5 mg per kg 2 times a day orally.

- Famotidine- injections. 0.5-1 mg/kg. Intravenous or subcutaneous injections up to 2 times a day.

Sometimes the most effective are Kvamatel or Omez.

You can add a little soda to the water. This reduces stomach acidity.

12. For bleeding: hemostatic therapy:

Don't do anything on your own! The cat should be under the supervision of a specialist.

- Vikasol,

- Dicinon,

- Aminocaproic acid,

Blood transfusion.

13. Will help relieve severe spasms Papaverine.

14. Vitaminization is required: vitamins C and group B.

Cat nutrition for chronic renal failure

Treatment must be supplemented with nutrition; this is adjunctive therapy. Because the cat refuses to eat, the body is severely depleted. Therefore, even force feeding is appropriate.

If the test shows a urea level of less than 20 mol/l, feeding very high quality wet food is acceptable. When the condition stabilizes, we can switch to premium dry food.

At 30 mol/liter, a STRICTLY protein-free diet based on sweetened foods and flour products. If the cat is not picky about food, bread, oatmeal pancakes, pasta with the addition of vegetable oil are suitable for her. If she does not accept such food, then canned food for cats in a diluted form. To support the stomach and digestion - Creon and Mezim.

If the cat has no appetite, you still need to feed the cat. A mixture suitable for this:

Mix 100 ml of purified water with the same amount of 2.5% fat milk, add sugar - a tablespoon and potato starch - 1 teaspoon. Boil everything, cool. Beat in a raw chicken egg and 1 crushed Mezim tablet.

Mix the mixture thoroughly and give the cat 5 ml through a syringe every hour. As soon as the vomiting decreases or disappears and the condition improves, you can increase the dose, while reducing the interval between feedings. When the condition normalizes, transfer the cat to wet food.

Treatment of kidney failure in cats must be carried out by a veterinarian. The effect of drugs should be monitored by collecting tests. At home, you will not provide the animal with help - arrogance will be fatal for the pet.

Bring your animal to the clinic regularly for control tests. By noticing the disease at an early stage, you can prevent the degeneration of kidney tissue and get by with supportive therapy. Special control must be provided to animals of the Persian breed..

The kidneys perform an important function in the body - they cleanse the blood and, together with urine, remove a huge amount of waste and toxins. If a cat drinks little water, then harmful substances gradually accumulate in them, which provokes a violation of their function. Every cat experiences kidney failure at least once in its life. Some kittens are born with kidney problems, and since they work under increased load, the animals live no more than 3 years. In healthy cats, kidney disease develops as they age. Cats are especially susceptible to them due to their narrow urethra. If there are diseases of the urethra, it narrows to a minimum size and the animal’s kidneys may fail.

There are 2 forms of kidney failure: acute and chronic. The first is associated with disruption of the nephrons (kidney tissue cells), which develops quickly and, if measures are not taken in time, can lead to the death of the animal. The disease can be cured if you quickly consult a doctor. Chronic renal failure develops gradually. From time to time, the animal experiences mild symptoms of acute renal failure, while the attacks progress. In this case, it is no longer possible to cure the animal. Kidneys begin to fail in cats in old age if they have other diseases.

The reasons why a cat’s kidneys fail may be as follows:

injuries, falls from height;
chronic kidney disease;
violation of the drinking regime, incorrectly selected food, abuse of dry food and raw fish;
diabetes, obesity, hepatitis and pancreatitis;
fever, poisoning and infectious diseases;
blood pressure disorders;
age over 8 years.

There are also breeds that are at risk of developing kidney disease. Persian cats, Angora cats, and short-legged cats are more susceptible to kidney diseases than outbred cats. These animals require a special diet; they cannot be fed from the table what their owners eat.

Acute renal failure is divided into 3 types:

Perenal. Occurs due to injury, dehydration or shock. Associated with impaired renal function and a sharp decrease in blood pressure. If you consult a specialist in time, the disease can be cured quite quickly;
Postrenal. It is formed if the urinary tract is compressed due to a tumor or urolithiasis. It develops in older cats and often leads to death, although in some cases it can be treated. Sometimes surgery is required;
Renal. It is associated with inflammatory processes in the body, past infectious diseases, and the effects of anesthesia and medications on the animal’s body. It develops due to improper treatment of diseases, drug overdose or indolent chronic inflammatory disease. It is treatable if toxins are removed in time and the underlying inflammatory disease is cured.

Symptoms of the disease

Symptoms of kidney failure in a cat may resemble poisoning:

vomiting, nausea;
lethargy, apathy, drowsiness;
reduction of lobe separation;
appetite either increases sharply or disappears completely;
mucous membranes become either pale or very bright, depending on high or low blood pressure;
the appearance of swelling and rare urine output, despite the fact that the cat can drink a lot.

These symptoms are characteristic of acute renal failure. Since the symptoms resemble poisoning or other diseases, an accurate diagnosis and tests are required, which the doctor will recommend. If your cat's kidneys begin to fail, the symptoms of the disease may be as follows:

weight loss and muscle mass;
The cat urinates frequently, drinks a lot of fluids, or is unable to empty its bladder. Urine may be excreted with blood;
increased body temperature - the ears become hot and the nose becomes dry;
the fur becomes ugly and falls out in some places;
along with vomiting and nausea, increased salivation appears;
smell of ammonia from the mouth;
the tongue, tip of the nose and ears become white or pale.

These symptoms should alert the owner. Kidney failure in a cat requires immediate veterinary attention, especially if the cat's condition worsens. In some cases, if you contact a specialist in a timely manner, the problem can be solved and the animal will continue to live. The main thing is to seek help in time and complete all necessary procedures.

Diagnosis and treatment

At the veterinary clinic, the doctor will examine the animal and ask for tests. To diagnose kidney failure, you need to take a urine test, blood test, biochemistry, and in some cases a kidney biopsy may be required. In the chronic form of renal failure, an increased number of leukocytes and lymphocytes in the blood is observed, and protein, renal epithelium, cylinders and glucose are present in the urine. To accurately diagnose the cause of the disease, the doctor may prescribe ultrasound and x-ray diagnostics. An ultrasound will be required to identify polycystic disease and tumors in the kidneys, and an x-ray will show the presence of stones that provoke the development of the disease.

Only after conducting the necessary examination can a doctor tell whether the disease is fatal and prescribe treatment. Kidney diseases in pets that are detected in time can be successfully treated, especially in young cats. In acute renal failure, intensive therapy is prescribed. A urinary catheter is inserted into the animal to remove toxic fluid from the body. The doctor prescribes blood purifying drugs. The main focus is on cleansing the body and treating the underlying disease.

With progressive kidney failure, dialysis is performed - the introduction of a medical fluid into the abdominal cavity, restoring the water balance in the body. It cleanses the body and removes harmful substances. The disease cannot be completely cured, but kidney function can be partially restored with proper nutrition and treatment. The animal can live for a year or more. For cats with chronic renal failure, a diet low in protein, salt and phosphorus is important. There are special foods for animals with unhealthy kidneys. If your cat is used to eating dry food, you should not give it to him often.

Prevention

Kidney disease is easier to prevent than to cure, especially in its advanced form. In order not to think about what to do if a cat’s kidneys fail, it is worth taking a set of the following preventive measures:

Monitor the water-salt balance of the animal. The water must be purified, not hard and free of lime. It needs to be changed regularly once a day;
Do not give your cat raw or over-salted fish from the table or salty and over-salted food;
Avoid the development of obesity, do not try to give the cat more than it should be according to its age norm;
Choose high-quality food without artificial colors and harmful substances. Sterilized cats need special food, just like purebred animals, especially those at risk of developing urolithiasis;
Once a year it is necessary to take blood and urine tests for timely detection of the disease;
Cats over 5 years old need an annual kidney ultrasound to detect diseases.

Simple preventive measures will help you notice and treat kidney disease in time. And, if you notice symptoms of trouble, timely treatment can not only quickly stop the attack, but also save the life of your pet.

The statistics on the incidence of urological pathologies in pets is not reassuring. About 15% of cats are susceptible to serious problems with the excretory system, and when a cat’s kidneys fail, what to do, is it really possible to help the animal? Renal failure can develop quickly in the case of an acute form and over a long period of time, in the form of a chronic course of the disease. The disease manifests itself in the severe condition of the animal, often leading to death.

Why is an organ so important to an animal?

Representing a paired organ, the kidneys carry out the work of purifying the blood. Healthy organs contribute to the elimination of metabolic products and toxic substances formed in the body of carnivores. The kidneys are also involved in hematopoiesis. Therefore, nephrological diseases are accompanied by severe intoxication of the animal, disturbances in electrolyte, water and protein metabolism and are the cause of death in 20% of furry pets.

Anatomy of the cat's urinary systemFeatures of the anatomy of the cat's genitourinary system

It is believed that domestic cats are susceptible to kidney pathology due to genetic predisposition. In addition, cats have a long but narrow urinary canal, which often contributes to blockage and inflammation. This especially affects cats, whose urinary system is even narrower than that of females.

Kidney tissue, unlike the liver, does not recover when damaged. The remaining functional kidney cells cope with the load for some time, which makes it difficult to diagnose kidney failure in the early stages.

Causes of kidney problems

As a rule, the following reasons lead to a situation where a cat’s kidneys fail:

Obstruction of the urinary tract. This phenomenon is caused by urolithiasis, the development of tumors in the pelvic organs.

Renal pathologies: polycystic kidney disease, amyloidosis, pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, interstitial nephritis.

Phenomena of sepsis. Infectious diseases associated with the development of septic processes.

Pressure drop in the vascular system of the kidneys due to injuries, bleeding, sunstroke and cardiovascular pathologies.

Nephropathic effect of poisons, toxins, drugs. There are often situations when a cat’s kidneys fail after anesthesia. General anesthesia drugs are eliminated by the kidneys, and there is a risk of acute renal failure with every surgical procedure.

Systemic diseases of internal organs: diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, adrenal dysfunction, pancreatitis, gout.

As a rule, older animals who develop chronic renal failure due to nephrosclerosis are susceptible to kidney disease. This pathology is the main reason why kidneys fail in old cats. Older animals develop chronic interstitial nephritis because the kidneys become scarred and no longer effectively filter blood.

Diagnostics

The kidneys are designed in such a way that only when half of the nephrons are damaged, the animal shows signs of renal failure. Such a hidden course of the initial stages of renal pathology significantly complicates timely diagnosis. Signs that should alert the owner are the following:

loss of appetite up to complete refusal of food;

increased thirst (polydipsia);

dehydration of the body;

frequent urination;

violation of the act of urination: uncharacteristic postures, meowing and screaming when visiting the toilet;

the animal does not urinate in the tray;

possible blood in the urine;

lethargy, weakness, apathy, prolonged sleep;

vomiting, diarrhea;

presence of edema;

ammonia odor from the mouth;

stomatitis, gingivitis.

If a cat's kidneys fail, the symptoms may be supplemented by convulsions due to severe intoxication of the body, pain, paresis and paralysis of the hind limbs, and their swelling. Body temperature can either increase or decrease. This condition is life-threatening for the animal and requires immediate help.

For early diagnosis of renal failure, it is necessary to regularly donate the animal’s urine and blood for general and biochemical analysis.

In order to accurately diagnose kidney failure, ultrasound and x-ray examination methods are used. In some cases, a kidney biopsy is resorted to.

Is it possible to cure an animal?

One of the main questions tormenting owners if a cat has kidney failure is whether the animal can be saved. It is impossible to answer this unequivocally, since the outcome of the disease depends on many factors: the age of the pet, the severity of the process and its neglect, concomitant diseases, timeliness of seeking veterinary help, etc. Due to the fact that when the kidneys fail, the water balance is disturbed, the first step is to use intravenous and subcutaneous infusions of special solutions.

If a cat's kidneys fail, how long the animal will live depends on its response to treatment. Infusion therapy helps reduce intoxication. As a rule, after stabilization of the condition with intravenous injections, they switch to continuous subcutaneous infusions.

As additional drugs, heart medications, diuretics (if indicated), and agents that stimulate hematopoiesis are used. The choice of antibiotics should be approached with caution, as many drugs can worsen the condition.

A diet low in phosphorus and protein is also important. A good effect is achieved by artificial supplementary feeding of the pet and lifelong subcutaneous injections to facilitate kidney function. In order to prevent exacerbations and relapses, diet and therapeutic measures are carried out regularly throughout the animal’s life.

Forecast

If a cat's kidneys fail, whether the pet will survive also depends on a number of factors. Equally important is the timeliness of seeking help and the age of the animal. Renal failure in older individuals is more severe, and the prognosis is often cautious.

The initial cause that led to kidney failure is of no small importance. For systemic diseases (diabetes mellitus, pancreatitis, etc.), the underlying disease is treated, and the outcome depends on the timeliness of the diagnosis.

If the cause of kidney failure is poisoning by poisons, toxins, or drugs, then the prognosis depends on the degree of damage to the kidneys, liver and the toxicity of the substances that enter the body.

Poor prognosis for renal causes of kidney failure. In pathologies such as polycystic disease, amyloidosis usually affects 90-100% of the kidney tissue, which becomes incompatible with life.

Given the seriousness of kidney failure, owners of pet cats should closely monitor the slightest change in the animal's condition. For early diagnosis of pathology, it is necessary to donate blood once a year for urea and creatinine levels, and once every six months - urine for biochemical analysis. Once the pet reaches 5-6 years of age, it is recommended to perform an ultrasound of the kidneys once a year.

Useful materials:

Causes of the pathology Obesity in a cat causes a violation of the outflow of urine. According to specialists, domestic cats are several times…

Common causes of cloudy eyes in cats The most common causes of cloudy eyes are glaucoma, cataracts or keratitis.…

Main reasonsBefore considering the factors that provoke the appearance of discharge with a sourish odor, it is necessary to immediately note...

It can be extremely difficult to distinguish acute from chronic renal failure at the first visit, especially if a middle-aged animal arrives without a detailed medical history.

Why is this so important? The prognosis for a given patient depends on this.

The structural unit of the kidney is the nephron. Acute renal failure is a temporary, reversible dysfunction of a large number of nephrons, which can lead to the rapid death of the animal, but if it was possible to overcome it, then the prognosis is favorable: kidney function can be restored. Chronic renal failure is an irreversible degenerative process in the kidneys; restoration of the function of lost nephrons should not be expected. It should be noted here that in the absence of adequate treatment for acute renal failure, nephrons can also be lost irrevocably, that is, acute renal failure can become the onset of chronic.

Reasons

What causes can cause acute renal failure? Shock as a result of injury, acute systemic and local viral and bacterial infections, poisoning with nephrotoxic substances, including medications, cystitis and acute urinary retention in cats. All these conditions require therapy aimed at maintaining kidney function.

The initial episode of kidney damage may be subclinical (unnoticeable). The reserve capacity of this organ is quite large, so with completely healthy kidneys, the nephrons work at no more than 25% of their capacity. During primary damage, part of the nephrons dies, the remaining nephrons take over their function, but work with greater stress. The kidneys are the main excretory organ; all toxins that enter the body and are produced during metabolism pass through the nephrons. The greater the load on an individual nephron, the more vulnerable it is. Nephrons under increased load are more often damaged and die, their function is transferred to the remaining nephrons, which work even harder. Thus, chronic kidney disease does not become clinically apparent until more than 70% of the nephrons have been lost, at which point the animal will appear completely healthy.

When no more than 30% of functioning nephrons remain, the compensatory reserves of the kidneys are exhausted, the kidneys cannot filter the blood effectively enough, and toxic metabolic products accumulate in the blood. From this moment we can talk about chronic renal failure.

Is treatment possible?

Since most of the nephrons are lost permanently, chronic renal failure cannot be treated by a veterinarian; it is an irreversible condition and, moreover, a progressive condition. The prognosis of chronic renal failure is always unfavorable. The doctor’s efforts in this case are aimed at improving the patient’s quality of life and prolonging life.

To do this, it is necessary, if possible, to reduce the factors damaging the remaining nephrons: normalize high blood pressure, reduce the intake of protein, the metabolic products of which increase the load on the nephrons, eliminate or reduce the dosage of drugs that can be toxic to the kidneys. To stimulate the excretory function of the remaining nephrons and cleanse the blood of metabolic products and toxins, infusion therapy is necessary, which is carried out with extreme caution and under the control of diuresis, given that the nephrons are already working at their limit. In addition, renal failure is accompanied by a number of concomitant diseases and pathological conditions that require correction. These are inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, arterial hypertension, hypo and hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, non-regenerative anemia. Thus, all these measures, although they cannot cure the animal, can significantly alleviate its condition and affect its life expectancy.

Forecast

How long it will be possible to maintain the animal in this way depends on how good and long-lasting a response can be obtained to therapeutic measures; a veterinarian can give a prognosis only by observing the dynamics of this process.

If the animal’s body stops giving a positive response to therapy, the only way to prolong its life is hemodialysis. This method in cats is extremely difficult due to the small size of the patients; dialysis machines are designed for humans, and besides, it has little prospects, given that kidney transplants in cats are not yet performed.

This organ in cats is considered the most vulnerable. According to statistics, 15% of domestic cats have kidney disease. What to do if a cat's kidneys fail? Is it possible to cure this disease and what to do in such a situation? Here's what veterinarians write about it today.

Why do kidneys fail in cats?

There are 2 forms of kidney failure: acute and chronic. The first is associated with disruption of the nephrons (kidney tissue cells), which develops quickly and, if measures are not taken in time, can lead to the death of the animal. The disease can be cured if you quickly consult a doctor. Chronic renal failure develops gradually. From time to time, the animal experiences mild symptoms of acute renal failure, while the attacks progress. In this case, it is no longer possible to cure the animal. Kidneys begin to fail in cats in old age if they have other diseases.

The reasons why a cat’s kidneys fail may be as follows::

injuries, falls from height;
chronic kidney disease;
violation of the drinking regime, incorrectly selected food, abuse of dry food and raw fish;
diabetes, obesity, hepatitis and pancreatitis;
fever, poisoning and infectious diseases;
blood pressure disorders;
age over 8 years.

Acute renal failure is divided into 3 types:

Perenalny. Occurs due to injury, dehydration or shock. Associated with impaired renal function and a sharp decrease in blood pressure. If you consult a specialist in time, the disease can be cured quite quickly;
Postrenal. It is formed if the urinary tract is compressed due to a tumor or urolithiasis. It develops in older cats and often leads to death, although in some cases it can be treated. Sometimes surgery is required;
Renal. It is associated with inflammatory processes in the body, past infectious diseases, and the effects of anesthesia and medications on the animal’s body. It develops due to improper treatment of diseases, drug overdose or indolent chronic inflammatory disease. It is treatable if toxins are removed in time and the underlying inflammatory disease is cured.

Symptoms of the disease

Symptoms of kidney failure in a cat may resemble poisoning:

vomiting, nausea;
lethargy, apathy, drowsiness;
reduction of lobe separation;
appetite either increases sharply or disappears completely;
mucous membranes become either pale or very bright, depending on high or low blood pressure;
the appearance of swelling and rare urine output, despite the fact that the cat can drink a lot.

These symptoms are characteristic of acute renal failure. Since the symptoms resemble poisoning or other diseases, an accurate diagnosis and tests are required, which the doctor will recommend. If your cat's kidneys begin to fail, the symptoms of the disease may be as follows::

weight loss and muscle mass;
The cat urinates frequently, drinks a lot of fluids, or is unable to empty its bladder. Urine may be excreted with blood;
increased body temperature - the ears become hot and the nose becomes dry;
the fur becomes ugly and falls out in some places;
along with vomiting and nausea, increased salivation appears;
smell of ammonia from the mouth;
the tongue, tip of the nose and ears become white or pale.

Diagnosis and treatment

Only after conducting the necessary examination can a doctor tell whether the disease is fatal and prescribe treatment. Kidney diseases in pets that are detected in time can be successfully treated, especially in young cats. In acute renal failure, intensive therapy is prescribed. A urinary catheter is inserted into the animal to remove toxic fluid from the body. The doctor prescribes blood purifying drugs. The main focus is on cleansing the body and treating the underlying disease.

Prevention

Monitor the water-salt balance of the animal. The water must be purified, not hard and free of lime. It needs to be changed regularly once a day;
Do not give your cat raw or over-salted fish from the table or salty and over-salted food;
Avoid the development of obesity, do not try to give the cat more than it should be according to its age norm;
Choose high-quality food without artificial colors and harmful substances. Sterilized cats need special food, just like purebred animals, especially those at risk of developing urolithiasis;
Once a year it is necessary to take blood and urine tests for timely detection of the disease;
Cats over 5 years old need an annual kidney ultrasound to detect diseases.

VETERINARIAN CONSULTATION REQUIRED. INFORMATION FOR INFORMATION ONLY.