Just as in humans ,a cat’s kidneys do the important work of filtering waste products from the blood stream.
When kidneys are failing or have failed, waste products can build up. Fortunately, feline kidney disease can be managed.
If your veterinarian suspects feline kidney disease, he will perform tests to measure the levels of BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine in your cat’s blood. BUN is a waste product that is produced when protein breaks down as part of the digestive process.
When the kidneys cannot filter this waste product out, blood levels of BUN become elevated.
BUN levels can also rise if your cat is dehydrated, so an elevated BUN level by itself is not enough to make a complete diagnosis.Creatinine is another waste product that is filtered out of the blood by healthy kidneys.
Elevated blood creatinine levels are more diagnostic of kidney disease. Sometimes your veterinarian will compare the levels of creatinine in your cat’s blood to that of his urine.
If your cat is diagnosed with feline kidney disease, it is important to remember that this condition can be managed. In the past, treatment options were limited, and cats with feline kidney disease were often euthanized.
Today, cats are given a prescription diet designed to be easier on their kidneys, fluids to combat dehydration, and medications which can help reduce the levels of waste products in their blood. [cat health]
