Cat kidney helps in managing the cat’s blood pressure, remove waste from the body, and make hormones and the red blood cells. Needless to say they are an important organ and hence proper diet and timely assessments are essential for its proper functioning. Every cat owner must also be informed about the basics of a cat kidney and kidney diseases. The below given content contains the most common causes, symptoms, and diagnostic and treatment details of kidney disease in cats.
The Causes
The kidney diseases can be caused by an array of reasons in the kittens. But some of the most common ones are listed below. A cat owner must observe them and try and take appropriate precautions whenever possible.
- Hereditary or congenital disease can be passed on to a kitten from the mother.
- High blood pressure can hamper the kidney health.
- Decreased supply of the blood to the kidneys or any kind of a kidney trauma may the cause of kidney diseases.
- Any sort of urinary obstruction (kidney stones for example) can lead to kidney diseases.
- If the cat is exposed to an infection or to any form of a toxin (like antifreeze) it can be a probable cause of a kidney disease.
- Immunological diseases are also found to be a common cause for kidney diseases.
- Cancer, though an extreme possibility, does cause kidney diseases in cats.
The Symptoms/ Signs of Kidney Disease/ Failure
These are a few symptoms or signs that can help an individual recognise if his/ her cat is suffering from any sort of a kidney disease or kidney failure.
- Frequent peeing i.e. if the cat is peeing frequently it may be an indication of kidney troubles. Increased water consumption (to replace the fluid lost in pee) is also a sign of kidney diseases.
- Weight loss and/ or decrease in appetite are both the signs of some sort of kidney trouble.
- Any signs of vomiting, bloody or cloudy pee and diarrhea are all indicative of kidney disease.
- Bad breath, mouth ulcers and a brownish coloured tongue.
- Constipation, weakness and a change to an indifferent attitude are all common symptoms.
The Diagnosis and Treatment:
A vet can diagnose a kidney disease by taking a blood test, pee test, an X-ray, ultrasounds or biopsy of the cat depending upon the case and the situation.
Once the diagnosis has been made the treatment will follow accordingly varying from the options of
- Surgery
- IV fluids/ fluid therapy
- Special diets, and
- Medication/ drugs etc.
