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Acute glomerulonephritis in a cat treatment. Causes of weight loss in cats and kittens

Glomerulonephritis is quite common in cats. The disease is an inflammation of the glomerular apparatus of the kidneys. Animals over 5 years of age are more susceptible to the disease. The pathology is accompanied by a number of serious complications and can even lead to the death of the cat, so if you suspect a disease, it is important to take your pet to the veterinarian.

Reasons for development

The exact factor that provokes the onset of the primary disease has not yet been identified. However, veterinarians name a number of reasons that can cause secondary glomerulonephritis in cats:

  • infection by pathogenic microorganisms;
  • cancerous tumors;
  • systemic autoimmune diseases;
  • intoxication of the body;
  • severe hypothermia;
  • inflammatory kidney pathologies;
  • diseases of the endocrine system;
  • long-term use of glucocorticosteroids.

Classification of the disease


Kidney problems in animals can be chronic and manifest during periods of exacerbation.

Glomerulonephritis in cats is usually divided into 3 types:

  • Spicy. It is characterized by an abrupt onset and vivid symptoms.
  • Subacute. It begins gradually, the symptoms are more smoothed out.
  • Chronic. It occurs over a long period, sometimes there are exacerbations, during which acute symptoms appear.

A separate classification includes a rapidly progressive type of disease, which is characterized by a malignant course and a very rapid transition to acute renal failure. Mostly this form causes the death of the animal.

What symptoms indicate pathology?

Often, glomerulonephritis in cats is asymptomatic for a long time, only sometimes becoming aggravated. That is why the diagnosis is made only after undergoing the required diagnostic measures. The symptoms of this disease are quite varied. The intensity of symptoms is directly related to the age of the cat, general health and type of pathology. If an acute stage is observed, the signs are clearly expressed. The pet's condition is rapidly deteriorating. When it comes to a chronic type of disease, it can last for years, causing serious deterioration in the cat’s general health and the development of various pathologies of internal organs.


If your cat's urine has acquired a dark appearance and has a pungent odor, this may be a symptom of the development of an illness.

The main sign that indicates the development of pathology is the presence of blood, flakes and protein in the urine. The biological fluid becomes dark in color and has a rather pungent and specific aroma. As for other symptoms, the following signs are characteristic of glomerulonephritis in cats:

  • constant drowsiness;
  • decreased activity;
  • loss of appetite;
  • thirst;
  • hair loss;
  • discomfort during urination;
  • attacks of nausea and vomiting;
  • pain in the back;
  • increase in blood pressure;
  • weight loss.

Diagnostic measures

The main diagnostic method is a general examination of biological fluid, which makes it possible to identify the disease at the initial stages of development, when the cat does not exhibit characteristic symptoms. If a high level of protein, white blood cells and red blood cells are found in the urine, a positive diagnosis is made. In addition, during the examination you will need to take a biochemical and general blood test. Using them, it is possible to see the level of nitrogenous bases and protein.


Using ultrasound, pathology is diagnosed and other diseases are excluded.

As for the changes in the kidneys that are characteristic of glomerulonephritis in cats, they can be detected during an ultrasound examination. This stage of diagnostic measures is one of the most important, since it makes it possible to distinguish the disease from urolithiasis and pyelonephritis.

A bacterial urine culture is also required, which indicates the presence of infection. In addition, sometimes it is necessary to undergo a blood test, which makes it possible to detect. There are situations when, even after receiving the results of all the studies, the veterinarian is unable to determine an accurate diagnosis. In this case, resort to biopsy.

How is the treatment carried out?

Diet for pathology

If glomerulonephritis is diagnosed in the acute stage, the animal must be prescribed dietary nutrition. According to the recommendations of the Veterinary Center for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Animals "Zoostatus", the diet should be low in sodium. For the first few days, it is important not to give the cat any food; only drinking warm water is allowed. After 2 days, the veterinarian allows you to add complementary foods to the diet, and it should contain a reduced content of proteins and table salt. It is recommended to include oatmeal cooked in water and pureed vegetables in the menu.

During illness, you need to adhere to a special diet, for example, dietary meat can be given only every other week, introduced into the diet in small portions.

Gradually, fermented milk products and light soups are introduced into the diet. After 7 days, it is allowed to feed the cat dietary meat. If the owner is used to feeding the animal with food that is sold in stores, it is important not to forget to ask the veterinarian which brand is allowed to be given to the animal. Mostly prepared foods have a prefix that says they are suitable for pets suffering from kidney disease. In addition, dietary nutrition involves the inclusion of vitamins from groups B, C, A and E in the diet.

This is a rapidly occurring infectious-allergic inflammation of the kidneys with predominant damage to the vessels of the glomeruli and the transition of inflammation to the interstitial tissue. Nephritis accounts for 57% of all kidney diseases. Acute nephritis develops after viral or bacterial infections, as well as with leptospirosis. The causative agents are leptospira, viruses, staphylococci, hemolytic streptococci, which are introduced into the kidneys by hematogenous route. Foci of chronic infection (ulcerative necrotic periodontal disease, tonsillitis, pyometra) play a great role in the development of nephritis.
Viruses and bacteria cause primary damage to kidney tissue during infection. The altered proteins, acting as antigens, stimulate the production of corresponding antibodies in the reticuloendothelial system. The latter, entering into complex formation with antigens, are fixed in the renal glomeruli, causing severe secondary damage to them. Inflammation spreads to the interstitial tissue (interstitial nephritis), tubules, and walls of the pelvis, generally covering the entire kidney.
In acute diffuse glomerulonephritis, both kidneys are always affected and all glomeruli are equally affected. In addition, the vessels of other organs and tissues are involved in the process. Nephritis, therefore, is a general vascular lesion in which urinary dysfunction predominates.

Symptoms. The acute phase of glomerulonephritis is characterized by oliguria (with externally frequent urination), hematuria and proteinuria. Clinically, such animals exhibit elevated temperature, violent vomiting and short-term paresis of the pelvic limbs. X-rays reveal bilateral enlargement of the kidneys.
Damage to the glomeruli of the kidney is indicated by an increased content of red blood cells in the urine sediment. The involvement of interstitial tissue is indicated by a large number of deukocytes and bacteria. Changes in the renal tubular system are characterized by more frequent discharge of all types of urinary casts. Hematuria can be so severe that the urine turns the color of meat slop. In very severe cases of acute diffuse glomerulonephritis, the animal develops anuria with azotemia and tonic-clonic convulsions. In this case, the values ​​of urea and creatinine in the blood serum rise to 25 mmol/l and 265 µmol/l
Acute glomerulonephritis lasts no more than two weeks and often ends in death.

Summary clinic:
1. Anorexia (lack of appetite, refusal to eat);
2. Ascites, accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity;
3. Auscultation of the heart: muffled, decreased heart sounds;
4. Auscultation: Reduced, dull pulmonary sounds, absence of sounds;
5. Pallor of visible mucous membranes;
6. Fatigue during physical exercise. load;
7. Tousled fur;
8. Generalized weakness;
9. Generalized lameness, stiffness of movement;
10. Hypothermia;
11. Dehydration;
12. Diarrhea, diarrhea;
13. Abdominal distension;
14. Slow growth;
15. Ulcerations, vesicles, pustules, erosions in the oral cavity;
16. Bad breath, Halitosis;
17. Swelling of the skin;
18. Palpation: decrease in kidney size;
19. Palpable enlargement of the kidneys;
20. Polydipsia, increased thirst;
21. Polyuria, increased volume of urination;
22. Losing body weight
23. Weight loss, cachexia, general exhaustion;
24. Swelling in the head, face, ears, nose, jaws;
25. Swelling in the chest area;
26. Vomiting, regurgitation, emesis;
27. Tachycardia, increased heart rate;
28. Depression (depression, lethargy);
29. Urinalysis: Hematuria;
30. Urinalysis: Proteinuria;
31. Cold skin, ears, limbs;
32. Lameness of the hind limbs;
33. Lameness of the forelimbs;

Differential diagnosis of forms of nephritis is carried out on the basis of laboratory tests of urine and blood.
If leptospirosis is suspected, blood serum is examined serologically, but not earlier than the 7-12th day of illness (sufficient antibody titer!).

Treatment.
A diet rich in protein, cephalosporin antibiotics (if urea readings in the blood are above 25 mmol/l, only nitrofuran drugs!), prednisolone, aminophylline and strophanthin are prescribed.
In cases of severe oliguria, mannitol and rheopolyglucin are administered intravenously.
For azotemia, peritoneal dialysis is performed.

Peritoneal dialysis technique.
The animal is given general anesthesia and laparocentesis. 0.25-2 liters of 20% glucose solution with hemodesis is administered intraperitoneally in a ratio of 20:1. Aspirate the fluid from the abdominal cavity 20-30 minutes after administration (remove as completely as possible). Monitor diuresis. Peritoneal dialysis for acute diffuse glomerulonephritis allows you to survive the unfavorable period of decreased kidney function. If necessary, it is carried out twice until diuresis is restored. Repeated examinations after 1-2 days.


Glomerulonephritis is an inflammatory kidney disease characterized by predominant damage to the glomerular nephron apparatus.

Etiology:

It is mainly of an infectious-allergic nature, most often developing after an infection caused by hemolytic streptococcus. There are acute and chronic glomerulonophritis. The provoking factor is often hypothermia and being kept in a damp room.

Pathogenesis:

The development of these diseases is based on the deposition or formation of immune complexes on the basement membrane of the renal glomeruli. In animals with idiopathic glomerulonephritis (50% of cases), a classic clinical picture of renal lesions is observed, accompanied by hematuria, proteinuria and oliguria. Severe proteinuria accompanying chronic glomerulonephritis also reflects nephrotic syndrome with hypoalbuminemia, generalized edema and hypercholesterolemia. Feline infectious peritonitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, leishmaniasis and canine babesiosis are diseases in which deposits of immune complexes in the glomeruli contribute to chronic infection.

Symptoms and course:

According to the course, acute, subacute and, less commonly, chronic glomerulonephritis is distinguished, which lasts for months and years, periodically exacerbating, resembling the acute form.

Clinical signs are very diverse, so they are usually combined into syndromes.

Acute glomerular inflammation syndrome: pain in the back and lower back on both sides of the animal’s abdomen; increase in body temperature to 40°C and above; oliguria (small amount of urine when urinating); reddish color of urine or the color of “meat slop”, sometimes streaked with blood; proteinuria (protein in the urine), microhematuria (less commonly macrohematuria); the appearance of casts (hyaline, granular, erythrocytes), epithelial cells in the urine; decreased glomerular filtration rate; leukocytosis, increased ESR; increased levels of alpha and gamma globulins in the blood).

Complications arising from glomerulonephritis include: acute cardiovascular failure (left ventricular failure, cardiac pulmonary edema); eclampsia (loss of consciousness, clonic and tonic convulsions); bleeding in the brain; acute visual impairment (sometimes blindness due to spasm and swelling of the retina).

Pathomorphological changes such as coagulated protein, red blood cells, fibrin fibers and proliferation of epithelial cells in the capsule are found.

Acute glomerulonephritis is detected on the basis of such clinical data, the color of urine is meat slop, pain in the kidney area on both sides, oliguria. The diagnosis is helped by identifying protein, red blood cells and casts in the urine.

Treatment. First of all, it is necessary to normalize the maintenance and feeding of sick dogs. They must be placed in a warm, dry, draft-free room; walking patients is often prohibited. Provide thorough skin care - cleansing with rubbing and massage. During the first two days of the disease, fasting is recommended, then a limited amount of easily digestible, salt-poor food is prescribed - lactic acid, cereals from various cereals, boiled and raw vegetables and fruits. Feed should contain more carbohydrates and an increased amount of potassium and calcium ions, which have a diuretic, hypotensive effect, and stimulate myocardial contractile function. The diet should include ascorbic acid, retinol, tocopherol and B vitamins.

If acute glomerulonephritis has developed against the background of a general infection or due to an exacerbation of a focal infection, it is necessary to use antibiotics - fluoroquinolones, penicillins, cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, etc.

To stimulate diuresis and relieve hypertension, the following are widely used: Temisal 0.1-1 g 3-4 times a day; veroshpiron 0.025-0.1 g in 2-4 doses; furosemide intramuscularly or intravenously 10-50 mg once a day (preferably in the morning) for 7-10 days, and in case of severe renal failure the dose is increased to 120 mg 1-2 times a day for a week, as well as decoctions and infusions of bearberry , half-finger, juniper fruits, blue cornflower flowers, lingonberry leaves, etc.

Care should be taken to use solutions of magnesium sulfate. It is a salt-removing, blood pressure-lowering, vasodilator and diuretic. It is administered intramuscularly to cats 0.1-1 ml, dogs 0.5-5 ml in the form of 10-25% solutions with an equal amount of 0.5% novocaine solution 2-3 times a day for one or three weeks.

Treatment regimens for glomerulonephritis: as anti-inflammatory, desensitizing and antiallergic, it is necessary to include glucocorticoids - cortisone acetate intramuscularly up to 0.01-0.025 g 1-2 times a day; hydrocortisone according to instructions; prednisolone orally 0.01-0.025 g 1-2 times a day; hydrocortisone according to instructions; prednisolone orally 0.01-0.025 g/day (in 2-3 doses), then the dose is reduced to 0.005-0.01 g; intravenously or intramuscularly in dogs, 0.2-1 ml 2-3 times a day, then the dose is gradually reduced.

To relieve attacks of renal colic and the inflammatory process, cystone, indomethacin, baralgin, spazgan, no-shpu and other analgesics and antispasmodics are used according to the annotation.

When blood or red blood cells appear in urine sediment, it is necessary to use specific hemostatic and blood-clotting medications: aminocaproic acid at the rate of OD g/kg of animal weight every 4-6 hours intravenously (drip) up to 50-100 ml of a 5% solution per injection; vikasol orally 0.01-0.3 g/day or intramuscularly (intravenously) 0.2-1 ml of 1% solution 2-3 times a day for 3-4 days in a row; dicinone intravenously or intramuscularly, 0.3-2 ml of a 12.5% ​​solution 1-3 times a day until recovery, as well as a 10% solution of gluconate and calcium chloride intravenously 1-2 times a day, 1-10 ml for one introduction.

Symptomatic therapy sometimes includes narcotic, anabolic agents, adrenergic blockers, etc.

Phytotherapy.

Plants with anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, diuretic properties are used: strawberry leaf, nettle leaf, birch leaf, flaxseed, steelberry root, hop cones, bearberry leaf, rose hips, juniper - infusions and decoctions. Good results are obtained with the use of the drug phytoelite healthy kidneys.

Prevention.

It is necessary to make a timely and correct diagnosis with a mandatory laboratory test of urine, identify and eliminate the cause of the disease. During treatment, hypothermia of animals and the entry of toxic and irritating substances into their bodies with food, water or medications are not allowed.