Early signs
A cat can lose 70% of kidney function before showing anything. The first signs are usually:
- Drinking and urinating more: the water bowl empties faster and litter clumps get bigger
- Gradual weight loss and a dull coat
- Appetite that comes and goes, occasional vomiting
- Bad breath, mouth ulcers
- Lethargy, hiding
Acute kidney injury is different: sudden refusal to eat, vomiting and collapse, for example after eating lilies or human medication. That is an emergency.
Diagnosis
- Blood tests: creatinine, urea, SDMA (which rises earlier than creatinine), phosphate, potassium
- Urine tests: concentration (kidney-disease urine is dilute) and protein
- Blood pressure: high blood pressure is common and damages the eyes and brain
- Ultrasound: kidney size, stones, tumours
We stage the disease using the IRIS system (stages 1 to 4), and the stage guides treatment.
Treatment: slowing the decline
- Renal prescription diet: low phosphate with moderate high-quality protein. It is the treatment proven to extend life, and the earlier the switch the better.
- Hydration: wet food, fountains, several bowls; in later stages fluids under the skin at home, which we teach you.
- Phosphate binders when diet alone is not enough.
- Blood pressure, anaemia and nausea treated as needed.
- Re-check blood every 3 to 6 months and adjust.
When it is an emergency
Not eating for over 24 hours, repeated vomiting, severe weakness, an ammonia smell on the breath or seizures can mean an acute crisis or high potassium. Come in immediately.
Prevention and early detection
Blood and urine tests yearly from age 7, and every six months from 10. Drinking more is not "just old age"; it is the single most worthwhile sign to investigate.
How we can help
In-house blood and urine results the same day, ultrasound of the kidneys, renal diets reorderable from our online shop, hospital fluids, and training for home fluid therapy.