Is there a cure for CKD in cats? Signs of kidney failure in a cat: symptoms and treatment, diet and food, stages, chronic insufficiency

With the help of the kidneys, toxins that have got inside from the external environment or harmful substances produced by internal organs are removed from the body. In case of violation of their work and the absence of timely treatment, the consequences can be the most sad and irreversible, up to death.

Clinical picture, types

Renal failure is a pathology characterized by malfunctioning of the kidneys, accompanied by an inability to produce urine and maintain a normal internal environment. Because of this, other serious problems develop that lead to damage to other organs and systems.

The particular danger of the disease lies in the fact that in the early stages it is often almost asymptomatic. This stage can take years. It is difficult for owners to notice that something is wrong with the pet. The disease gradually develops, and passes from an acute form to a chronic one. The consequences of the latter are often irreversible. Treatment takes a lot of time and effort.

The first symptoms are:

periodic refusal of food;
the depressed state of the animal;
constant feeling of thirst;
copious or, conversely, scanty urination.

When the disease becomes severe, the symptoms become more pronounced. The cat gets tired quickly, sleeps a lot, refuses to play, loses weight sharply. The appearance of the pet clearly speaks of the pathology - atrophied muscles, skin hanging in folds, complete apathy.

Increased thirst and urination. Urine is colorless, odorless.
Reduced activity.
Diarrhea, sometimes vomiting (with an increase in signs of intoxication and a decrease in kidney function).
Decreased appetite, in the flesh to anorexia. And, as a result, weight loss and the development of exhaustion and dehydration.
A characteristic unpleasant smell of ammonia appears from the mouth.
The cat begins to look shabby, the coat becomes sparse, brittle.
When examining the mouth, pale mucous membranes with small ulcers are noted. Ectericity (yellow color) of mucous membranes may appear
Swelling of the abdomen
Eating filler from the tray.

When kidney failure affects other organs, cats practically refuse to eat, their stool is disturbed. If nothing is done at this stage, the death of the pet is inevitable.

Very often, clinical manifestations are similar to other ailments:

diabetes mellitus;
thyroid disease;
liver dysfunction and others.

The disease can be inherited. At risk are breeds prone to kidney problems - Persians or Abyssinian cats. As well as animals older than 7 years, regardless of breed. According to statistics, 30 out of 100 cats in this age group suffer from chronic renal failure.

Causes

There are many causes of the disease. Depending on the pathogen, several types of pathology are distinguished, for each of which certain methods of treatment have been developed.

Most often, the disease develops due to:

poisoning with drugs, food and other substances;
autointoxication - poisoning by substances produced by one's own body;
kidney disease (eg, nephritis), polycystic, etc.;
viral diseases;
improper anesthesia during surgery;
vascular pathologies
violation of the patency of the urinary tract.

Often the factor influencing the development of the disease is not one of the above reasons, but a combination of several.

Many cats have a genetic predisposition to kidney failure. Therefore, when buying a kitten, you should always pay attention to the pedigree. If in young animals the disease proceeds imperceptibly, then in aged pets it will manifest itself in full force. It is almost impossible to cure the animal in this case.

Consequences and prognosis for recovery

The consequences of the disease first lead to the fact that the kidneys do not cope with their main function. They do not produce the proper amount of urine. Harmful substances accumulate in the body. In the most severe cases, this leads to general intoxication of the body.

The main consequences also include:

water-salt and acid-base imbalance;
retention of toxic substances in the body;
deterioration in general well-being due to the inability to absorb vitamins and trace elements.

The combination of the above factors leads to an even greater deterioration in the health of the cat. In the last stages of the development of the disease, it leads to severe damage to the kidneys and internal organs, malfunction of the endocrine system, and the development of other diseases (for example, diabetes mellitus).

Acute renal failure is most often reversible. With timely treatment, the prognosis is quite favorable. Chronic is almost incurable. Treatment is aimed only at improving the well-being of the pet, relieving severe symptoms, maintaining the health of vital organs and systems. In order to avoid sad consequences, you should not engage in self-restoration of the cat's health.

Acute renal failure

Acute renal failure is a pathology that develops suddenly and is the result of acute kidney damage due to other diseases or external factors. This form is characterized by a decrease in the amount of urine or its absence. If you notice the first symptoms in time, the prognosis for recovery will be favorable. Negative processes occurring in the body can be stopped and prevent the development of complications.

Causes of OPN:

systemic diseases;
trauma;
internal intoxication;
dehydration.

The development of the disease goes through 4 stages. At the first, urination decreases, blood pressure decreases. After the amount of urine produced decreases to a critical level or stops altogether. During the course of the disease, the animal exhibits:

general depression;
an increase in toxic substances in the blood;
weakness and apathy;
stool changes;
loss of appetite;
discoloration of the mucous membranes - severe redness or, conversely, pallor (typical for severe stages).

The complexity of diagnosis lies in the fact that acute renal failure often develops without pronounced symptoms. To prevent the development of the disease, you can make a balanced diet. You should also be attentive to any changes in the behavior and appearance of the pet. At the slightest suspicion of any ailment, it is better not to postpone the visit to the veterinarian until later.

Diagnosis and treatment

With a timely visit to the veterinary clinic and the right treatment regimen, acute renal failure can be cured. First, the urinary function is restored. Then, the work of the kidneys. The course of treatment lasts approximately 2-3 months.

To make a diagnosis, laboratory tests of blood and urine are prescribed. During a direct examination, the doctor pays attention to the color of the mucous membranes, measures body temperature, and performs palpation. If pain is felt, accompanied by an increase in temperature and a decrease in the amount of urine produced, we can talk about the development of acute renal failure.

Laboratory data that confirm the diagnosis are as follows. In the urine there is an increased amount of:

urea;
creatinine;
phosphorus.

Since diseases of the urinary tract can be the cause of the development of acute renal failure, instrumental research methods are prescribed. For example, X-ray diagnostics, which allows to identify kidney stones. As well as ultrasound, which determines the size of the kidneys and their condition. Tissue biopsy is sometimes performed to clarify the diagnosis.

The treatment regimen and the selection of medications are based on the data obtained. In most cases, everything ends happily. A large role in the restoration of impaired kidney function is played not only by drugs, but by a specially selected diet with a reduced content of phosphorus and protein. The composition of the diet depends on the individual characteristics and general health of the cat.

In some cases, it is advisable to undergo a course of intensive care. With the help of a dropper, toxic substances are removed from the body, helping the animal cope with dehydration. An integrated approach increases efficiency and facilitates the treatment process. The selection of medications depends on the cause that caused the development of acute renal failure. Therapy will be aimed at eliminating them and restoring the function of internal organs (kidneys) and urinary tract.

To establish the outflow of urine, the introduction of droppers with saline solutions is used, this is especially important for dehydration. To improve the patency of the kidney vessels and reduce pressure, antispasmodics are used ( papaverine, no-shpa). Regardless of the presence of infection, antibiotics (amoxicillin) are used.
Analgesics are used to relieve pain baralgin) or novocaine blockade (with severe persistent pain).
Antiemetics are also prescribed cirucal). It is important to monitor the indications of the state of the cardiovascular system, very often rhythm disturbances can occur.

Chronic renal failure

Chronic renal failure is a consequence of many ailments:

kidney disease in a chronic form;
systemic diseases;
polycystic;
poisoning.

The development of chronic renal failure occurs slowly and gradually leads not only to impaired renal function, but also to damage to all organs and systems of the body. In the blood, the level of protein breakdown products - urea and creatinine - rises.

Due to malfunctions in the urinary tract, harmful substances cannot be excreted naturally from the body. They start out in other ways. For example, through the mucous membranes of the digestive tract and lungs. This inevitably entails general intoxication.

External signs of the disease appear:

bouts of nausea and vomiting;
constant feeling of thirst;
muscle cramps;
yellowing of the skin;
distinct smell of ammonia from the mouth.

Associated symptoms- violation of urination, fever, anemia, decreased immunity, mental disorders, pain in the lumbar region, frequent urge to urinate, frequent licking of the genitals by the pet. When these symptoms appear, it is worth undergoing a comprehensive examination. As a rule, CKD is accompanied by other diseases.

Usually, chronic renal failure is diagnosed in animals older than 8 years, since the disease develops slowly without obvious clinical manifestations, gradually affecting the kidneys and surrounding organs. With such a diagnosis, a complete cure, unfortunately, is impossible. In most cases, when contacting a veterinary clinic, 50% of the tissues of the kidneys and adjacent organs are affected.

Figure 1 - Ultrasound in chronic renal failure

Diagnostics

Only a doctor can make a correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment for suspected chronic renal failure after a comprehensive examination, including:

examination by a veterinarian
complete blood count;
detailed urinalysis;
Ultrasound of the abdominal organs;
x-ray study.

Stages of CRF according to the level of creatinine:

Less than 140 ml / mol is normal, only urine analysis is indicative.
Up to 250 ml/mol - weak stage
Up to 440 ml / mol - moderate.
The strong stage has creatinine values above 440 ml/mol.

In the general blood test, the development of anemia and an increased number of leukocytes will be traced.

Ultrasound helps determine the cause of kidney damage, the presence of stones, tumors, as well as the presence of complications and differentiation of insufficiency from other diseases. For the same purpose, radiography is used.

Treatment

Maintaining renal function at a compensatory level is becoming a priority in complex treatment for chronic renal failure. A special diet is prescribed. Often, experts recommend switching your pet to premium-class ready-made feeds. In the product line of well-known brands, there are often mixtures designed for animals suffering from various diseases.

When fed naturally with food in the diet phosphorus content should be reduced. And the amount of foods high in iron, on the contrary, is increased. After all, often CKD is accompanied by anemia.

Often, cats with kidney failure lose their appetite, which means they lose weight dramatically. In these cases, drugs are prescribed that restore the functioning of the stomach and intestines, causing appetite. Anabolic steroids and B vitamins help to gain weight. In extreme cases, the animal requires hospitalization and intravenous infusion through a drip.

Veterinary drugs

intravenous drips to remove toxins from the blood;
drugs to increase urine production;
medicines to control anemia;
medicines for the elimination of electrolyte disorders;
medicines for high blood pressure, vomiting, and gastrointestinal disorders.

It can sometimes be prescribed for cats - a catabolic drug with immunosuppressive properties. For the treatment of metabolic disorders, a pet may be prescribed Ketosteril for cats, which must be taken in accordance with the instructions. This drug contains artificial analogues of essential amino acids and helps in the fight against CKD.

In addition to the veterinary medicines listed above, in the treatment of CKD can be used Ipaquetine for cats, which you can buy at a veterinary pharmacy. The drug Ipaketine for cats, the price of which is about 300 rubles per 50 grams, is a nutraceutical drug. It improves the functional state of the kidneys and allows you to achieve a long remission.

With a significant weight loss, steroid anabolics are used and vitamin B. An ACE inhibitor is used to lower blood pressure captopril, enalapril. Anemia is corrected with erythropoietin.

Herbal kidney collections and homeopathic preparations are used.

In a chronic process, mandatory preventive hospitalization and examination every 2-6 months are carried out.

Prevention

Timely treatment of overweight and obesity.
Mandatory use of drugs for diabetes in cats.
Proper feeding and sufficient fluid intake by the pet.
Prevention of kidney diseases and their treatment.
Therapy of infectious diseases.
Competent care and ensuring the safety of the life of a pet.

*Based on the results of their own developments and colleagues from n-l-d.ru

Among the many diseases that await cats, one of the most dangerous is kidney failure. In the absence of proper and timely treatment, it leads to a very rapid death. But if help was provided to the animal without delay, he has every chance for a long and happy life.

The difficulty is that evidence of a terrible disease, as a rule, appears already in the later stages, and before that the disease can proceed almost imperceptibly for the owner. That is why it is so important to know what symptoms you should pay attention to and what to do if your furry pet begins to feel unwell.

Veterinarians call kidney failure a violation of the urinary system, in which decay products do not come out with urine, but linger in the body.

The basis of each kidney is an active tissue structure, or parenchyma, inside which are located the renal calyces, which are involved in the removal of urea.

In case of insufficiency, the parenchyma dies off and is replaced by a connecting part. As a result, toxic substances formed as a result of metabolism cannot leave the body and begin to poison the blood and internal organs.

In a normal state, the kidneys perform a lot of tasks:

regulate the amount of fluid in muscle tissue;
are engaged in blood purification from toxins and nitrogenous compounds resulting from metabolism;
remove toxins from the body, including those that are formed in the process of drug treatment;
produce some vital hormones;
control the flow of sodium into the bloodstream, thereby raising or lowering blood pressure.

In case of damage to the kidneys, these functions (all or some of them) cease to be performed. This affects the condition of the animal very quickly. In the most severe cases, death can occur within a few days, but more often, after all, some time passes between the appearance of the first symptoms and the fatal self-poisoning of the body, and the owners have the opportunity to help their pet.

A lot depends on the severity of the disease and its form. There are only two varieties of this terrible disease:

Acute.
And chronic.

Serious kidney damage occurs in both cases. Both forms of renal failure require timely treatment, diet, and preventive measures. But acute renal failure in cats usually does not lead to immediate death and, if treated immediately, allows the animal to live for many more years with little or no limitation in activity.

But chronic insufficiency can only be stopped, but not reversed, and in this case we are talking, rather, about alleviating the suffering of a cat than about a serious extension of life.

The danger of kidney failure in cats is also that its manifestations are similar to those of many other diseases, because of which the necessary treatment is far from always prescribed on time.

The question of how long cats live with this diagnosis does not have a clear answer. It all depends on many factors:

forms of the disease;
the severity of its course;
age when the first symptoms appeared;
the presence of other diseases in the animal;
and, of course, from the owner's compliance with the recommendations for the treatment and care of the pet.

Cats that successfully survive acute renal failure live quietly up to 8 to 10 years. And here in the chronic form, the life span, alas, rarely exceeds 1-2 years.

Although there are exceptions here: there are cases when pets, whose owners were attentive to their health, got to the veterinarian at the very beginning of the development of a terrible syndrome. And, although they were forced to follow a strict diet and undergo regular examinations for the rest of their lives, they lived not much less than their healthy relatives.

Symptoms

Kidney failure, like any other disease, has its manifestations. But the complexity of the diagnosis lies in the fact that the "margin of safety" in the kidneys is very large: for some time, even a kidney that is damaged and has lost half of the urinary pelvis copes with all its functions. Obvious evidence of insufficiency appears only when 20-30% of the total mass of renal tissue remains in working order.

In the early stages of the disease, the only signs of renal failure can only be a change in the composition of urine: the appearance of a large number of red blood cells and protein in it, an increase in the mass fraction of urea, a change in the color of urine and a decrease in its density. This can only be revealed through laboratory analysis.

In the future, many other symptoms appear, each of which, even separately from the others, is already a reason for the owner to sound the alarm.

You need to take your pet to the vet as soon as possible if:

The animal drinks a lot and often.
Experiencing weakness.
More often than usual, he sits down in the tray or, on the contrary, experiences ineffectual urge to urinate.
Refuses to eat (at a later stage, it happens that the cat asks for food, but cannot swallow food).
Looks lethargic, sleeps a lot, stops actively playing.
Often licks the genitals.
There is an unpleasant smell from the mouth.
Sometimes vomiting or diarrhea can be observed, both together and separately.
In severe kidney failure, painful cramps and epileptic-like seizures often occur.
As decay products accumulate in the blood, blood pressure will rise - this is also a characteristic attack of kidney dysfunction.
In some cases, the animal may go blind due to rupture of pressure-resistant vessels in the eye.
And finally, a fever or just bouts of trembling, similar to chills, indicate the need to take the pet to the doctor.

As the organism is poisoned, the symptoms will become more and more pronounced, and the animal's condition will become painful. The main mistake many owners make is to wait for an unexpected ailment to go away on its own. In the case of kidney failure, even a few days delay can reduce the cat's chances of survival to zero. When kidney failure leads to critical intoxication, it will be difficult not to notice convulsions and an almost comatose state of the animal; however, it is almost impossible to save the fluffy purr at this stage.

Causes of the disease

From a physiological point of view, renal failure is not an independent diagnosis, but rather a complex of symptoms resulting from a host of other diseases. This dangerous syndrome develops in all cases when the genitourinary system has been damaged.

As the main cause of kidney dysfunction, veterinarians usually name diseases such as:

pyelonephritis;
diabetes;
vasculitis of the kidneys;
piroplasmosis;
enteritis;
pneumonia;
leptospirosis;
as well as any infections that cause the kidneys to work in an enhanced mode or, conversely, depress their functions.

In the event that the animal has suffered any of these diseases, one must be especially attentive to its condition. Best of all, a month or two after recovery, even if no dangerous symptoms appear, show the pet to the veterinarian and take tests to make sure that the kidneys are working normally or, if the results are disappointing, start treatment immediately.

Kidney failure can also occur due to a genetic predisposition to certain diseases - for example, polycystic, amyloidosis, glomerulonephritis. One-sided underdevelopment of the kidney (or the so-called unilateral hypoplasia) is very dangerous. As the cat ages, the only kidney is under increasing stress and at some point may simply fail. The Abyssinian and Persian breeds are very vulnerable in this regard.

Sometimes the cause of damage to the genitourinary system is intoxication with various substances: lead, mercury, antibiotics, analgesics, drugs for anesthesia and other drugs. During this period, the kidneys have to work in an enhanced mode in order to cleanse the body of both decay products of substances and toxins that come with medicines. Often, especially when the dosage is exceeded, the remnants of the active substances are not excreted, but are deposited in the renal pelvis and begin to destroy the organ. This is one of the reasons why no drugs should be given to an animal without consulting a specialist.

Acute renal failure

Acute renal failure in cats develops rapidly; as a rule, against the background of another disease that disrupts kidney function (for example, enteritis or pyelonephritis).

Despite a severe course, this syndrome is reversible and often ends in the recovery of the cat.(although fatal outcomes do occur, especially if the animal has not received proper treatment).

This form of the disease has four stages:

The initial, or "harbinger stage". Symptoms during this period are almost imperceptible, in large part because most of them are the same in both kidney failure and the underlying disease.
Diuresis disorder. Urination at this stage stops or becomes very insignificant, blood appears in the thick, cloudy urine. Poisoning the body with toxins formed during metabolism occurs very quickly, which immediately affects the state of health: the temperature rises, diarrhea begins, and the heart rate increases. The animal becomes lethargic, its limbs swell and convulsively twitch.
In case of successful treatment, after some time the third stage begins: gradual recovery of diuresis. Terrible symptoms disappear, urine is separated profusely, but has a slight density.
The final stage of the disease can last from one to three to four months; during this period, there is a slow recovery of all kidney functions.

The prognosis in the acute form largely depends on the stage at which the problem was identified and how adequate the therapeutic measures were. Timely treated acute renal failure practically does not reduce the length and quality of life of a cat. Although it requires constant preventive measures and adherence to the diet prescribed by the veterinarian.

Chronic renal failure

The chronic form of this syndrome also occurs due to poisoning, infection or hereditary disease, but it manifests itself very slowly. The deterioration in this case is not associated with temporary dysfunction, as in acute failure, but with the slow but irreversible death of the renal parenchyma.

As there are fewer active cells, the load on the urinary tissue increases, and the kidney becomes less and less able to cope with its functions.

Chronic renal failure (CRF) also develops in four stages:

The latent, or latent, stage manifests itself only in slight lethargy and constant thirst. At this stage, it is not difficult to help the cat, but most often the owners begin to sound the alarm much later, when the changes in the kidneys have already become irreversible. That is why it is so important to contact the veterinarian immediately when the slightest symptoms appear.
At the stage of increased diuresis, the cat often begins to run to the tray, while the density of urine decreases due to weakening of kidney function, and the amount of protein and red blood cells increases.
After some time (often quite a long time), urine production begins to decline, and then completely disappears. Accordingly, all the symptoms of self-poisoning of the body appear.
Terminal stage. It is manifested by constant diarrhea, weakness and drowsiness. During this period, malfunctions occur not only in the kidneys, but also in other organs in which toxins that are not excreted from the body accumulate. Except in rare cases, this stage ends with the death of the animal.

Chronic renal failure is practically incurable. But it would be a mistake to think that the owner of a pet with this terrible diagnosis needs to give up the fight for his furry friend. Supportive therapy (especially if the treatment was started at the first or second stage) can significantly alleviate the condition of the animal, and extend life and activity by 3-4 years.

Treatment of kidney failure in cats

Despite the difference in the course and duration of the disease in acute and chronic forms, the basic treatments remain the same for both options. Therapy is manifested, first of all, in the restoration of the normal functioning of the genitourinary system.

Or, if this is not possible (for example, with polycystic disease, in which the very tissue of the urinary pelvis is destroyed) in maintaining the kidneys.

There is no single advice on how to treat kidney failure. The causes of the development of the syndrome and the nature of its course in each animal are unique. Only a specialist can choose the drugs and rehabilitation measures that are suitable for a particular cat; attempts at "self-treatment", at best, will not give any effect, and at worst, they will bring a sad end.

Therapy for renal failure, for the most part, is symptomatic. Only transplantation can give a 100% effect, but so far in veterinary medicine they are just starting to talk about this method.

Depending on the severity of the disease and the causes of its occurrence, different methods are used:

intravenous nutrition to restore fluid balance and fight anemia;
the introduction of antibiotics (as a rule, this is used only in the first stage, in the treatment of the underlying cause of the syndrome);
the use of heart drugs to normalize blood pressure and prevent capillary ruptures;
vitamin injections;
anesthesia and blockade of nerve endings;
artificial blood purification (the so-called hemodialysis);
blood transfusion, which can slow the development of the syndrome in chronic insufficiency;
and, finally, a healthy kidney transplant to the animal.

The drugs necessary to save the animal are prescribed only by a veterinarian; Although many human medications are suitable for cats, it is not recommended to give them on one's own initiative. The only exceptions are those cases when the animal has become sharply worse, and there is no opportunity to immediately take him to the veterinary clinic. In these cases, you can use medicines from a human first aid kit:

To reduce pressure - Enap or enalapril.
In case of severe anemia, you can inject B12 or Remocorn.
Cerucal is best for vomiting.
For problems with the liver - Essentiale Forte or Heptral.
You can support the heart with the help of Neoton, Preducal, Riboxin or Digoxin.

The dose must be calculated according to the weight of the animal; for a medium-sized cat, 1/8, or even less, of a standard tablet is enough. You need to be especially careful with pacemakers and drugs for pressure: exceeding the dosage can cause coma and death.

In addition, with renal failure, especially its chronic form, The right diet is very important, which allows to reduce the intake of “heavy” substances for excretion into the body and reduce the load on the kidney.

Diet: natural food or professional food?

The question of what to feed a cat with kidney failure is especially acute. Together with food, the cat receives not only nutrients and vitamins, but also many trace elements that are not fully absorbed by the body.

In case of violation of the kidneys, these "extra" elements are not excreted along with the urine, but accumulate in the body.: in the kidneys themselves, in the tissues of other organs, on the walls of blood vessels, in the blood.

The task of the therapeutic diet is to exclude from the diet of the animal everything that will serve as intoxication, at the same time providing it with all the substances necessary for health.

There are several rules that will help reduce the burden on the urinary system and maintain the health of the pet:

It is necessary to reduce the intake of phosphorus in the body, which means to completely exclude fish (including caviar and fish oil).
Exclude foods high in calcium: dairy and sour-milk products, eggs, cottage cheese, cheese.
All fatty meats are contraindicated: pork, beef, rabbit meat, duck and goose meat. Relatively safe for cats with kidney failure, only chicken and turkey (exclusively brisket).
Proteins and fats should be ingested to a minimum. It is better to reduce the share of meat to 10 - 20% of the total volume of food.
Porridges in any form, as well as bread and other flour products, will also have to be excluded from the pet's diet.
It is necessary to increase the mass fraction of vegetables, especially cabbage and carrots.
Be sure to add alkalizing foods to your food to help maintain the acid-base balance. Chalk or special preparations can be used as such substances.

For cats with renal insufficiency, a natural diet is not suitable because the list of allowed foods is depressingly short and does not provide the cat with the necessary amount of necessary substances.

In unlimited quantities, only boiled vegetables can be given, and their fluffy predators use them with great reluctance. In addition, in this case, another problem arises: the selection of the necessary vitamins and mineral supplements, as well as determining their correct dosage.

Best for purrs with kidney failure, especially chronic ones, specialized feeds are suitable. The ideal option today is considered to be Renal feed from Royal Canin. Its nutrient content is precisely matched to support the health of cats that are almost unable to detoxify normally.

No additional vitamins or supplements are required with this diet. True, there are contraindications: Renal should not be prescribed to kittens under one year old, as well as to pregnant and lactating cats.

The minimum time during which the animal needs to be given this food is six months. And in chronic renal failure, veterinarians prescribe Renal as a dietary feed for the rest of their lives.

The danger of kidney failure, especially chronic, lies in the fact that the owners do not always realize the full danger of the disease that has befallen their pet. With the slow development of the disease, the animal may look quite cheerful, which creates the illusion that dieting and prevention of kidney failure is no longer needed.

Violation of the principles of nutrition may not cause an immediate deterioration. However, this will speed up intoxication and reduce the time that a furry pet could live next to its owners.

Kidney disease in cats can be acute or chronic. The acute form is dangerous because of its rapidly growing dynamics, when every minute is precious. The chronic form is dangerous with mild symptoms: the disease is often noticed when it is already difficult to find an effective treatment.

Kidney failure in cats can be either primary or secondary, but it is difficult to save the animal in both cases. The primary form occurs as a result of direct pathology of the kidneys under the influence of nephrotoxic poisons. The secondary form develops against the background of impaired blood supply, severe dehydration, urolithiasis, chronic diseases requiring intensive drug treatment, infectious diseases accompanied by severe intoxication. The risk factor for the development of the disease is the use of prolonged anesthesia.

Special attention deserves congenital renal failure, which develops in the neonatal period. Sometimes the cause of it is the pathology of pregnancy or labor, including asphyxia.

The causes of failure are very diverse. In addition to those listed above, it can be systemic diseases (or gout), tumors and cysts of the kidneys and urinary tract.

Acute and chronic forms: differences?

The acute form can develop as a complication of kidney infections. For example, pyelonephritis in cats often provokes an acute form, the main symptoms of which are the complete absence of urine, even with timely treatment.

Acute renal failure is characterized by the absence of stages of the disease. The main factor in diagnosis and treatment is the degree of damage to the diseased organ, which is calculated using a special formula for the concentrating function of the kidneys. But, despite the pronounced dynamics of the disease, the prognosis of acute renal failure is not as unfavorable as in chronic: the animal can survive even after complete kidney failure. As a rule, the acute form is primary and develops as a result of simultaneous exposure to provoking factors (poisoning, prolonged anesthesia, severe infectious toxicosis).

Chronic renal failure in cats is more insidious, since even with functioning organs, it is often not possible to save the animal if the concentrating function is below 5%. But the owners and doctors have more time to draw up a plan of therapeutic measures - this gives the sick animal a chance to live longer.

In other words, in the acute form of the disease, everything depends on the speed, in the chronic form, on attention to the condition of the animal.

Stages of development of chronic pathology

The latent or latent stage is asymptomatic. Moreover, the results of many analyzes and tests may be within the normal range. It is possible to determine violations only by an extended urinalysis and a test of concentrating function, which will not be one hundred percent.
The compensated stage is also asymptomatic. However, the disease can already be detected through tests and examinations. In addition, at the end of the stage, the sick animal has a strong constant thirst and weight loss.
The decompensated stage is characterized by an increase in the dynamics of the main symptoms and clinical indicators. The main danger is food refusal, general exhaustion and intoxication, although sick animals still suffer from thirst, and urine does not stop.
The terminal stage is characterized by a complete rejection of water. Due to dehydration, exhaustion and intoxication, a deep coma develops with convulsions.

Symptoms of the disease

Unfortunately, the clinical picture of chronic renal failure in cats does not have pronounced and characteristic symptoms.

The first signs allow only to suspect the disease. As a rule, at the end of the compensation stage and at the stage of decompensation, a decrease in activity and lethargy, lack of appetite up to a complete refusal to eat, constant thirst and profuse urination, rapid weight loss, pallor of the skin and mucous membranes are noticeable. Sometimes a concomitant symptom is dental problems: the rapid formation of tartar, stomatitis and gingivitis. More severe symptoms appear at the end of decompensation and at the terminal stage. Therefore, at the first suspicion of renal failure in cats, a complete examination should be carried out as soon as possible, since the animal can be saved only by starting treatment at an early stage.

The clinical picture of acute renal failure is also not typical. But the dynamics of symptoms cannot go unnoticed, which allows us to assume the disease in time, examine and begin treatment. In the acute form of the disease, not a minute can be lost.

Treatment

Kidney failure in a cat requires not only timely, but also qualified treatment, and only after an accurate diagnosis. Therefore, no advice from pharmacists, folk methods and other home remedies are unacceptable. And most often, in the acute course of the disease, treatment in a hospital is required. Therefore, the owners should know only one thing: an urgent consultation and medical assistance is needed. If you are lucky, and the animal will be left to be treated at home, then both medicines and procedures must be fully coordinated with the doctor.

Principles of therapy for acute and exacerbation of the chronic form

First of all, it is necessary to determine the cause and eliminate it. In infectious diseases, antibiotic therapy is required, in case of poisoning, the use of antidotes.

Simultaneously with the determination of the causes of the pathology, emergency detoxification is carried out: forced diuresis, hemodialysis, plasmapheresis, hemosorption, peritoneal or intestinal dialysis. All these procedures are possible only in a hospital and under the constant supervision of medical personnel.

In the process of emergency therapy, measures are taken to maintain or normalize all body functions: special diets, prevention of dehydration and bleeding of the digestive tract, control and prevention of disorders of the cardiovascular system. It is important to pay great attention to the feeding schedule: in small portions (no more than 5 ml) every hour, sometimes even every 10 minutes. Clinical monitoring of the condition of a sick animal should be daily, sometimes even twice a day.

The list of drugs for basic therapy is quite extensive and depends on each specific case, its causes and the severity of the disease. In the treatment of the disease, glucocorticoids are used to stabilize the water-salt balance, diuretics and laxatives as part of detoxification therapy, and potassium preparations to normalize the hemolytic balance.

Forecast for the future

This disease in cats is incurable, since even at the latent stage, kidney cells die, and it is no longer possible to restore them. The only way is to support the normal functioning of the remaining cells. In rare cases, when treatment was started at the stage of compensation, it is possible to return the animal's condition to a latent form, but lifelong maintenance therapy will still be required. And here it all depends on the dedication of the owner.

Diet

First of all, a balanced diet with a minimum content of protein and phosphorus is needed, which will have to be observed very accurately - the slightest deviation will lead to a deterioration in the animal's condition. Therefore, it is important to know exactly how and what to feed a cat with kidney failure. It is rather difficult to make a correct diet on your own, most likely, you will have to transfer a sick cat to specialized and expensive feeds. Dry food is contraindicated.

It will be especially difficult to accustom a cat to a new type of food - this will require great patience and time, but it will help prolong the life of a pet. In addition, you may need drugs that stimulate appetite, regulate the processes of digestion.

Medication support

A sick cat will need constant medical support: not just pills or injections, but regular droppers that will restore the water-mineral balance and reduce the toxic load on the kidneys, which will keep the remaining cells in a normal state. All drugs must be prescribed by a veterinarian after the next examination: constant adjustment of the treatment regimen is important. The owner will need to be extremely careful about doses and timing of medication.

With the development of renal failure, it is also necessary to constantly monitor the weight of the animal. In case of sudden weight loss, special prescriptions of anabolic steroids and vitamin complexes are necessary.

Regular examinations for this disease

It is also the responsibility of the owner of a sick animal to regularly monitor its condition. Just observing external signs will not help: clinical tests and objective examinations are required. This is important not only for determining the degree of kidney damage: it is necessary to constantly monitor the function of hematopoiesis and hemobalance in order to prevent the development of anemia. Clinical tests are often needed every other day, with stabilization of the animal's condition - every three months. You will have to constantly monitor the level of blood pressure - special devices for measuring are on sale.

As unfortunate as it may sound, all pets get sick. Our smaller brothers suffer to a greater or lesser extent, and we, as owners, may not immediately recognize the problem, because the animal cannot tell us or show us the place where it hurts. Today we will look at the symptoms of CKD in cats.

What it is, how to determine this and how to deal with it, we will consider, based on the advice of veterinarians.

If your animal has been observed to have some disorders in the body, then there is a chance that they may contribute to the development of CKD.

These risk factors include:

violations of the kidneys;
frequent inflammation;
tumors;
thyroid dysfunction;
urolithiasis disease;
diabetes;
amyloidosis;
poisoning.

These and other pathologies, as a complication, can lead to Chronic Renal Failure, or CRF for short.

When this phase of the disease occurs, all changes in the cat's kidneys will be reduced to a decrease in the active material of the kidneys, which in turn will lead to azotemia, that is, a large amount of decay products will be contained in the animal's blood.

Protein breakdown will increase the amount of uric acid, and the kidneys, which are already poorly functioning, will shift their work to other organs of the animal.

The mucous membrane of the stomach and lungs, which are not designed for such loads, will also begin to malfunction, which will lead to a general poisoning of the body. An animal in this condition may show increased thirst, muscle cramps may occur, body temperature will be low, and urine will smell from the cat's mouth.

Chronic kidney failure is formed for quite a long time, maybe even several years and always leads to irreversible consequences for the kidneys. The disease manifests itself most often in animals whose age is approaching 10 years.

The insidiousness of the disease is that the kidneys have a very large resource, and the symptoms begin to appear only when most of the organ is already affected.

If we talk about symptoms, then in the early stage of the course of the disease, this can manifest itself as:

constant thirst that the animal cannot quench;
profuse urination, which is caused by the first cause. Urine in this case has no color;
sometimes the pet may refuse to eat;
Occasionally, the animal may vomit. In this case, you need to distinguish whether the cat is sick from the weed that she ate, or is it caused by something else.

If the disease enters an advanced form, then the symptoms persist, but take on a slightly different shape. In some cases, the animal's appetite may be preserved, but you will notice the phenomenon of dysphagia, that is, the physical inability to swallow.

If you look closely, the signs can be noticed earlier.

All the symptoms of this condition can be conditionally divided into several groups, which we will consider further. There are the following types of manifestations:

asthenic type.
This symptom is extremely difficult to consider. It is characterized by the fact that your kitty will be very weak, will quickly get tired and spend a lot of time in a dream. And it's hard to notice because cats sleep a lot anyway. And when your animal will not interrupt its rest even for the sake of food, then it is already worth sounding the alarm;
dystrophic syndrome.
The cat is losing weight so much that we can already talk about cachexia and hungry edema. This condition can be described by the fact that the muscles of the animal atrophy, the skin hangs down like some kind of rags. Naturally, these are manifestations of a rather long course of the disease;
reaction from the gastrointestinal tract.
The cat has anorexia, caused by the fact that the pet does not eat at all, there may be constant diarrhea, stomatitis, colitis and enteritis may appear. Perhaps even the development of pancreatitis;
anemic type.
Red blood cells in the red bone marrow stop being produced properly, leading to anemia and increasing the risk of internal bleeding.
toxicosis.
Toxins that accumulate and are not excreted from the body can affect the nervous system. This can manifest itself in seizures, parasthesia, incessant itching.

What could be the consequences

The consequences for the animal in the case of this disease will not be very pleasant and quite tangible.

Kidney failure will cause your pet to:

Serious violation of hydro-salt metabolism.
KOS will be violated - the acid-base state.
The body will begin to accumulate toxic nitrogenous bases, which will destroy many substances that are beneficial to the cat. The destruction of vitamins, for example, will lead to a rapid and regular deterioration of the animal's condition.
In the event of a thorough damage to the kidneys, the work of the endocrine system, or rather the function of the adrenal glands, will be disrupted.

This will lead to the fact that the body will no longer synthesize glucocorticoids, which over time will lead to hypoglycemia.

The first sign is the posture of urination.

Clinical case and expert opinion

Today we will consider the story of an elderly cat, the problem of which the owners did not pay due attention to and could not recognize the disease in time. Suspicion of chronic renal failure begins only when the pet stops eating, drinking or eating and drinking in very small quantities. Such an animal sits in one place, its temperature drops, it becomes dehydrated. And such a cat already needs to be saved in the clinic, which we will do today.

The owner of the cat complained that the cat constantly meowed, and he periodically felt sick, despite the fact that he did not eat much. All animals are 16 years old. The specialist suspects chronic renal failure in the acute stage.

Options for the development of chronic renal failure.

The owners in this case are not ready to donate the cat's blood for tests, and the specialist will take a number of preventive measures that will improve the animal's condition until the diagnosis is confirmed.

The animal that came to the vet was very dehydrated. If you take the skin at the withers and pull it up a little, then it does not return to its original position, but, like a piece of fabric, remains in a raised state. The cat had sunken eyes and a very heavily covered muzzle. On the back, near the pelvic region, in the supine state, the cat's spine was palpated.

Disheveled wool remains fluffy, like an old Soviet carpet with a long pile. It can be unequivocally stated that the cat looks very sick. Despite the advanced age of the animal, you can help the cat and extend its life for several more years. For this, a subcutaneous injection of medications will be performed.

The dropper that the veterinarian will install for the cat will consist of Ringer's solution and Dufalight, which replenishes the cat's supply of amino acids and nutrients.

A needle enters under the skin of a dehydrated cat unwillingly and causes some discomfort in the animal. And when a “meow” escaped from the exhausted mouth, the room was filled with a uremic smell. This happens when a pet has urea retention in the body.

The temperature of the cat is also reduced. In the field, if you do not have a thermometer, then you can measure the temperature of the animal by touching it by the ears. If the ears are cold to the touch, then this indicates that the cat's body temperature is low. At normal body temperature, your ears should feel a little warm.

A dropper of this type will complete the delivery of the drug in about 10 minutes, and this procedure will need to be repeated several times. After that, you will need to give the cat an injection of B vitamins and then an injection of an antibiotic.

Renal failure is one of the most serious pathologies that occur quite often in our smaller brothers. Pathology occurs when the kidneys for some reason stop doing their job.

Causes

Renal failure is understood as a syndrome that has arisen against the background of concomitant diseases affecting the genitourinary system. Such diseases include nephrosis, pyelonephritis, urolithiasis and other kidney pathologies. Kidney failure can develop as a complication of diabetes mellitus, pneumonia, vasculitis, leptospirosis, etc.

It is not uncommon for a cat's genitourinary system to suffer due to poisoning with toxic substances, which occurs, for example, as a result of long-term medication. The load on the kidneys increases, as they try to fulfill their direct duty as soon as possible - to remove the poison from the body. This can lead to serious consequences, up to the destruction of the organ.

Finally, a factor that provokes kidney failure may be the genetic predisposition of your furry to certain diseases, for example, polycystic disease, glomerulonephritis.

Kidney failure is characterized by two forms of the course of the disease - acute and chronic.

Acute insufficiency is the most dangerous, as in most cases it ends in death. It proceeds rapidly and has a pronounced clinical picture. OPN, in turn, also occurs in three forms: prerenal, renal, postrenal.

Veterinarians say that the most serious form is renal. With regard to prerenal and postrenal prognosis, rather favorable.

In chronic renal failure, the kidneys gradually cease to perform excretory functions. For a long time, CRF may not manifest itself at all. This is why she is dangerous. Kidney cells die off gradually, the load is redistributed between healthy cells, but then they die.

Damaged tissues are scarred, as a result of which the kidneys decrease in size and no longer cope with their duties. As a rule, chronic renal failure is diagnosed in older cats.

CRF has four stages: latent, initial, conservative, terminal.

The latent form has the greatest chance of a favorable outcome, but timely diagnosis occurs in the rarest cases. With the terminal, unfortunately, it is no longer possible to help the animal, so the only way to end the pet's suffering is euthanasia.

Which breeds are most susceptible

Renal failure can occur in any cat. More often than others, the pathology is diagnosed in representatives of certain breeds predisposed to amyloidosis, polycystic disease, and infantile polycystic disease. At risk are Abyssinian, Persian cats, as well as Persian mestizos.

Symptoms

If we are not talking about an acute form of renal failure, then for a long period the pathology proceeds in a latent form. Gradually, the cells die, but the kidneys continue to work. Characteristic signs of renal failure appear when the volume of damaged tissues is more than 70%.

A cheerful and active pet becomes lethargic, drowsy, gets tired quickly and lies most of the time. His appetite disappears, thirst, on the contrary, increases. Despite the large amount of water drunk, the cat rarely goes to the toilet. Even if he manages to pee, the amount of urine is negligible. The owner notices that the fluffy is constantly licking the genitals.

The appearance of a sharp unpleasant odor from the body and the mouth of a four-legged pet is characteristic.

In severe cases, the animal has epileptic seizures, convulsions, fever, hypertension, which results in rupture of blood vessels in the eyeball and loss of vision. Intoxication of the body is growing, the cat's condition is rapidly deteriorating. The kidneys fail, causing the pet to fall into a coma and die.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of renal failure is associated with certain difficulties. It is possible to conduct it qualitatively only in a hospital, using instrumental and laboratory methods.

First of all, blood biochemistry is carried out. The study allows you to find out the level of phosphorus, potassium, creatinine, urea.

A lot of information can be obtained from a laboratory analysis of urine, in particular, it indicates a change in the composition of the biological fluid, determines the level of leukocytes, the presence of bacteria and the renal epithelium. The urine of a sick cat is dark or, conversely, too light, has a low density. The content of erythrocytes and protein is increased.

An ultrasound of the kidneys is required. It shows the structure of the organ, its location and shape, the presence of cysts.

To determine the area of kidney damage, radiography with a contrast agent is performed.

The most accurate information is given by the method of computed tomography of the kidneys. But due to the high cost, it is used in rare cases.

Treatment

Kidney failure is one of the incurable pathologies. However, with the help of a well-designed treatment regimen, it is possible to maintain the quality of life of the animal and achieve some improvement in kidney function.

The cat will be under the supervision of a veterinarian for life and undergo regular examinations, including the delivery of urine and blood tests. In addition, the animal will have to follow a therapeutic diet and take certain medications all his life.

Treatment depends on the form of renal failure, the general condition and age of the animal.

The acute form is treated according to a scheme that includes:

elimination of the factor that provoked insufficiency;
restoration of water balance;
hemodialysis (artificial blood purification);
removal of intoxication;
lowering blood pressure;
special health food.

In chronic insufficiency, therapeutic measures are aimed at restoring the acid-base, water-salt balance, and stabilizing blood pressure. Elimination of signs of anemia. It is necessary to carry out hemodialysis, use a strict but nutritious and balanced diet.

To increase immunity, it is advisable to use vitamin-mineral complexes.

What to do at home

The owner must strictly follow the instructions of the veterinarian. Self-treatment, replacement of traditional methods of conservative treatment lead to disastrous consequences.

A sick pet needs to be provided with quality care and healthy nutrition. The diet continues for at least six months. Salt, sea fish, fatty meats, offal, cereals, and dairy products are completely excluded from the cat's menu at this time. Flour products and fish oil are prohibited.

The diet consists of poultry meat (chicken, turkey), broth, vegetables (cabbage, carrots). There are few acceptable products, so veterinarians recommend giving preference to special therapeutic dry food.

The product from Royal Canin - Renal food, developed for cats with renal insufficiency, deserved high marks from specialists. It includes all the vitamins and nutrients a cat needs during intensive care.

Prevention

Any disease can be prevented with the help of the simplest preventive measures known to every owner.

First of all, you need to understand that regular examinations at the veterinarian will help to avoid or identify infectious processes of the genitourinary system at the initial stage. Of great importance in prevention are proper nutrition with high-quality food, prevention of injuries, control over the weight of the pet.