Kidney Disease

Kidney disease is a silent killer – often not being diagnosed until the kidney enzyme levels are significantly elevated and signs such as vomiting, weight loss, excessive urination and/or dehydration are evident. It is quite common in geriatric cats (>14 years), however no age or species is immune.

The kidneys are responsible for maintaining adequate electrolyte levels (i.e. sodium, potassium, chloride, etc.) as well as filter out protein and excrete waste. When the kidneys begin to deteriorate, protein levels can drop causing weight loss and electrolyte balances can become dramatically altered, causing excessive drinking and urinating.

Kidney disease can be sudden (acute) or long-term (chronic). Acute kidney disease is usually reversible and can be caused by toxins (i.e. antifreeze, NSAID’s [ibuprofen], some antibiotics, etc) dehydration, infectious agents such as the bacteria Leptospirosis, or tick-borne diseases such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever or Ehrlichia. Although not all cases of acute kidney disease are reversible, the prognosis is usually better if caught and treated early.

Chronic kidney disease is usually irreversible and progressive. Even though no specific treatment is curative, medical and nutritional management may reduce the rate of damage. If your pet has been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease your veterinarian will probably recommend a prescription diet as well as repeated blood tests to monitor your pet’s progress.

The only way to catch kidney disease early is to have a blood test done annually (or more often as recommended by your veterinarian) to evaluate kidney function. Feel free to set up an appointment with one of our veterinarians for a geriatric exam and bloodwork.

Dr. Pamela Graves