Chronic kidney disease in cats symptoms and treatment. Kidney failure in cats: causes and treatment

Chronic renal failure- a fairly common disease of cats and cats, it mainly develops in older animals. It is believed that cats of the British, Abyssinian, Persian and Maine Coon breeds are more prone to this pathology. This disease is irreversible, but if it is possible to detect it at the beginning of its development and begin treatment in time, the cat will be able to live long life and feel good.

The waste products of the animal body enter the kidneys through the bloodstream, and there they are filtered from toxins, which are subsequently evacuated in the urine. The role of filters is performed by the nephrons of the kidneys. A condition in which the kidneys cannot cope with their work and the cat’s body is poisoned by metabolic products is called chronic renal failure.

The development pattern of chronic renal failure suggests two options. In the first case, the number of functioning nephrons decreases, and the remaining ones are forced to work with increased load. In the second, the structure of the nephrons is disrupted, and therefore the filtration rate is slowed down.

You need to know this! According to the severity, there are several stages of chronic renal failure: compensation, subcompensation, decompensation and terminal. In the first two stages, symptoms of renal failure hardly appear. At the stage of decompensation, they are quite pronounced, but the prognosis for life can still be positive under the condition of constant maintenance therapy. The terminal stage of the disease is practically a death sentence; such cats often have to be euthanized to save them from suffering.

Reasons for the development of pathology

Chronic renal failure in cats can develop as a result of trauma, exposure toxic substances or previous infectious kidney disease (including viral peritonitis). Chronic renal failure can also be caused by:

• diseases associated with immune system;
• nephrolithiasis (kidney stone disease);
• congenital anatomical defects of renal tissue;
• the presence of benign or malignant neoplasms in the kidneys.

Symptoms

This disease is insidious in that it can rarely be detected in initial stage: first obvious signs renal failure appear only when due to sclerotic tissue damage renal nephrons the organ works at less than half capacity. However, some signs of illness in a cat may suggest the development of chronic renal failure. At different stages diseases, these symptoms may vary.

Stages of compensation and subcompensation

On early stages illness, the cat experiences slight malaise, loss of activity, poor appetite. Blood test shows increased level creatinine. Creatinine is one of the metabolic products of amino acid-protein metabolism; its level above (250-300 µmol/l) indicates impaired renal function.

Stage of decompensation

The animal is lethargic, apathetic, and does not eat well. Despite the fact that the cat drinks a lot, he has signs of dehydration, since due to polyuria (frequent urination) all the liquid is quickly excreted. Vomiting, diarrhea or constipation are observed. Creatinine levels can reach 400 µmol/L. May be visible on ultrasound structural changes renal tissue. At this stage, cats often experience increased blood pressure.

Terminal stage

This last stage a disease in which the animal’s condition is assessed as serious. The animal rapidly loses weight and stops eating. Uremia develops - poisoning of the body with metabolic products, and the cat develops bad smell from the mouth. Observed serious violations blood composition: it has an increased concentration of potassium and phosphate ions, and a decreased calcium content, and the creatinine level can exceed 450 µmol/l. X-rays show decreased skeletal bone density. In severe cases, the cat may develop pulmonary edema.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of chronic renal failure in cats begins with examination of the animal veterinarian and studying the symptoms presented by the owners. If clinical signs indicate the possibility of renal failure; laboratory tests of blood and urine are performed to confirm the diagnosis. If necessary, the cat can be prescribed hardware examination methods - radiography or ultrasound. With their help, it is possible to detect such causes of chronic renal failure as polycystic disease, tumors, and urolithiasis.

About the importance differential diagnosis. Laboratory and instrumental studies are needed not only to differentiate chronic renal failure from other pathologies, but also to identify additional problems that have arisen against the background of the disease: anemia, water-electrolyte imbalance, deficiency minerals. Based on research data, treatment tactics for renal failure are developed and a life prognosis is given.

Treatment

It is impossible to restore kidney nephrons that have lost their functionality as a result of sclerotic changes. Therapy for chronic renal failure in cats consists of measures to preserve healthy cells liver and maintaining a satisfactory level of quality of life of the animal.

Cats 1 and 2 stage of chronic renal failure It may be enough to follow a diet with minimum quantity phosphates and proteins and increased content calcium. Your pet will have to follow this diet for the rest of its life. Food for a cat with chronic renal failure can be prepared at home, or you can buy ready-made food - special medicinal canned food for cats with liver disease is produced by almost every pet food manufacturer. Since in order to evacuate toxins from the body with poorly functioning kidneys, it is necessary more water, the cat needs to be given a lot to drink.

Treatment of cats with stage 3 and 4 chronic renal failure, in addition to a special diet, may include:

• constant monitoring blood pressure, if necessary, taking medications to reduce it;
• when vomiting ― gastroprotectors and antiemetics;
• for anemia - vitamin B 12 and hematopoietin (a hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells);
• for hyperkalemia - administration of calcium gluconate;
• to reduce phosphorus levels - chitosan preparations;
• for the correction of electrolyte disturbances - drip infusion therapy.

To the question “How long do cats with chronic renal failure live?” we can answer that their lifespan directly depends on timely diagnosis and adequacy of treatment. If the disease was detected on early stage and everyone was accepted necessary measures By preventing its progression, your pet can live as long as its healthy relatives.

Prevention

To prevent the development of kidney failure in cats, their nutrition should be properly organized - the diet should contain products containing all the substances necessary for the cat’s body. Elderly animals, as well as cats of breeds included in the risk group, must undergo a routine medical examination. The examination is recommended to be carried out annually, and if your pet is over 10 years old - 2 times a year.

A veterinarian talks about chronic renal failure in cats: video

Kidney disease in cats can be acute or chronic. The acute form is dangerous due to its rapidly growing dynamics, when every minute counts. The chronic form is slightly dangerous severe symptoms: The disease is often noticed when effective treatment It's already difficult to choose.

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 kidney pathology 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. A risk factor for developing the disease is the use of long-term anesthesia.

Congenital renal failure, which develops in the neonatal period, deserves special attention. Sometimes it is caused by pathologies of pregnancy or labor activity, including asphyxia.

The causes of deficiency are very diverse. In addition to those listed above, these may also be systemic diseases(or gout), kidney tumors and cysts and urinary tract.

Acute and chronic forms: differences?

The acute form can develop as a complication kidney infections. For example, pyelonephritis in cats often provokes an acute form, the main symptoms of which are complete absence 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 for acute renal failure is not as unfavorable as for chronic: the animal can survive even after complete refusal kidney 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 impossible to save the animal if the concentrating function is below 5%. But owners and doctors have more time to draw up a plan 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 speed, in the chronic form it all depends on attention to the condition of the animal.

Stages of development of chronic pathology

• The latent or hidden stage is asymptomatic. Moreover, the results of many analyzes and tests may be within normal limits. Violations can only be determined by an extended urine test and a concentrating function test, 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 represents refusal of food, general exhaustion and intoxication, although sick animals still suffer from thirst, and urine production does not stop.
• The terminal stage is characterized by complete refusal of water. Due to dehydration, exhaustion and intoxication, it develops deep coma with convulsions.

Symptoms of the disease

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

The first signs only allow one to suspect the disease. As a rule, at the end of the compensation stage and at the decompensation stage, a decrease in activity and lethargy, lack of appetite up to complete refusal of food, constant thirst and excessive urination, quick loss weight, pallor skin and mucous membranes. Sometimes accompanying symptom are dental problems: fast education 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, it is necessary to conduct a full examination as quickly 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 makes it possible to diagnose the disease in time, examine it 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, traditional methods and other home remedies are unacceptable. And most often when acute course the disease requires treatment in a hospital setting. Therefore, owners should know only one thing: urgent consultation and assistance from a doctor is necessary. If you are lucky and the animal is left to be treated at home, then both medications and procedures must be fully agreed with the doctor.

Principles of therapy for acute and exacerbation of chronic forms

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

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

During emergency therapy, measures are taken to maintain or normalize all body functions: special diets, prevention of dehydration and bleeding digestive tract, control and prevention of activity disturbances cardiovascular system. Important great attention pay attention to the feeding schedule: 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 primary therapy is quite extensive and depends on each specific case, its causes and the severity of the disease. When treating the disease, glucocorticoids are used to stabilize the water-salt balance, diuretics and laxatives as part of detoxification therapy, and potassium supplements 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- support normal functioning remaining cells. IN in rare cases, when treatment has been started at the compensation stage, it is possible to return the animal's condition to latent form, but will still require lifelong maintenance therapy. And here everything depends on the dedication of the owner.

Diet

First of all, it is necessary balanced diet with a minimum content of protein and phosphorus, which will have to be observed very precisely - 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 quite difficult to create a correct diet on your own; most likely, you will have to switch the sick cat to specialized and expensive food. Dry food is contraindicated.

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

Drug support

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

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

Constant examinations for this disease

The owner of a sick animal also has the responsibility to regularly monitor its condition. Simply observing external signs will not help: clinical tests are required and objective examinations. This is important not only for determining the degree of kidney damage: constant monitoring of hematopoietic function and hemobalance is necessary to prevent the development of anemia. Clinical tests often necessary every other day, when the animal’s condition has stabilized - every three months. You will have to constantly monitor your blood pressure levels - special devices for measuring are available for sale.

With the help of the kidneys, toxins that enter from the body are eliminated from the body. external environment or harmful substances produced by internal organs. If their operation is disrupted and there is no timely treatment the consequences can be very sad and irreversible, even death.

Clinical picture, types

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

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

The first symptoms are:

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

When the disease turns into severe form, the symptoms appear more clearly. The cat gets tired quickly, sleeps a lot, refuses to play, and suddenly loses weight. The pathology is clearly indicated by the appearance of the pet - atrophied muscles, skin hanging in folds, complete apathy.

• Increased thirst and urination. Urine is colorless and odorless.
• Reduced activity.
• Diarrhea, sometimes vomiting (with increasing signs of intoxication and decreased kidney function).
• Decreased appetite, leading to anorexia. And, as a result, weight loss and the development of exhaustion and dehydration.
• A characteristic unpleasant odor of ammonia appears from the mouth.
• The cat begins to look shabby, the fur becomes sparse and brittle.
• When examining the mouth, pale mucous membranes with small ulcers are noted. Possible appearance of ectericity ( yellow) mucous membranes
• Swelling of the abdomen
• Eating litter from the tray.

When kidney failure affects other organs, cats practically refuse to eat and their bowel movements are disrupted. 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 diseases;
• 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 cats out of 100 in this age category 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 specific treatment methods have been developed.

Most often the disease develops due to:

• poisoning with drugs, food and other substances;
• autointoxication - poisoning with substances produced by one’s own body;
• kidney diseases (for example, nephritis), polycystic disease, etc.;
• viral diseases;
• improper anesthesia during surgery;
• vascular pathologies
• obstruction 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 hereditary predisposition to renal failure. Therefore, when buying a kitten you should always pay attention to the pedigree. If in young animals the disease proceeds unnoticed, then in older 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 cannot 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 general well-being due to the inability to absorb vitamins and microelements.

The combination of the above factors leads to an even greater deterioration in the cat’s health. On last stages progression of the disease leads to severe kidney damage and internal organs, work failure endocrine system, the development of other diseases (for example, diabetes).

Acute renal failure most often has reversible consequences. With timely treatment, the prognosis is quite favorable. Chronic is practically incurable. Treatment is aimed only at improving the pet’s well-being, removing severe symptoms, maintaining vital performance important organs and systems. In order to avoid sad consequences, should not be engaged self-recovery cat health.

Acute renal failure

Acute renal failure is a pathology that develops suddenly and is a consequence acute lesion kidneys 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 the development of complications can be prevented.

Causes of acute renal failure:

• systemic diseases;
• injuries;
• internal intoxication;
• dehydration.

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

• general depressed state;
• increase in toxic substances in the blood;
• weakness and apathy;
• changes in stool;
• loss of appetite;
• change in color of mucous membranes - severe redness or, conversely, pallor (typical of severe stages).

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

Diagnosis and treatment

With a timely visit to a veterinary clinic and the correct treatment regimen, acute renal failure can be cured. First, urinary function is restored. Then, kidney work. 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.

Data laboratory research that confirm the diagnosis look as follows. An increased amount of:

• urea;
• creatinine;
• phosphorus.

Since the development of acute renal failure may be caused by urinary tract diseases, instrumental methods research. For example, X-ray diagnostics to detect kidney stones. As well as ultrasound, which determines the size of the kidneys and their condition. To clarify the diagnosis, a tissue biopsy is sometimes performed.

The treatment regimen and selection of medications are based on the data obtained. In most cases, everything ends well. Not only do they play a major role in restoring impaired renal function medicines, but a specially selected diet with a reduced content of phosphorus and protein. Diet composition depends on individual characteristics and the general health of the cat.

In some cases, it is advisable to take a course intensive care. Removed from the body using a dropper toxic substances, help the animal cope with dehydration. An integrated approach increases efficiency and facilitates the treatment process. The selection of medications depends on the cause development of surge arresters. Therapy will be aimed at eliminating them and restoring the function of internal organs (kidneys) and urinary tract.

• To improve the flow of urine, droppers with saline solutions are used, this is especially important in case of dehydration. To improve the patency of renal vessels and reduce blood 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(for severe, unremitting pain).
• Antiemetics are also prescribed ( tsirukal). It is important to monitor the readings of the state of the cardiovascular system; rhythm disturbances can very often occur.

Chronic renal failure

Chronic renal failure is a consequence of many ailments:

• chronic kidney disease;
• systemic diseases;
• polycystic disease;
• 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. The level of protein breakdown products - urea and creatinine - increases in the blood.

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

appear external signs diseases:

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

Associated symptoms- impaired urination, increased temperature, anemia, decreased immunity, mental disorders, pain in the lumbar region, frequent urge to urination, frequent licking of the pet’s genitals. If these symptoms appear, it is worth undergoing a comprehensive examination. As a rule, chronic renal failure is accompanied by other diseases.

Typically, 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 complete cure, unfortunately, it is impossible. In most cases, when visiting a veterinary clinic, 50% of the tissues of the kidneys and adjacent organs are affected.

Figure 1 - Ultrasound for chronic renal failure

Diagnostics

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

• examination by a veterinarian;
• complete blood count;
• detailed urine analysis;
• Ultrasound of the abdominal organs;
• X-ray examination.

Stages of chronic renal failure according to creatinine level:

1. Less than 140 ml/mol is normal; only a urine test is indicative.
2. Up to 250 ml/mol - weak stage
3. Up to 440 ml/mol - moderate.
4. The strong stage has creatinine levels above 440 ml/mol.

IN general analysis blood, the development of anemia and increased amount leukocytes.

Ultrasound helps determine the cause of kidney damage, the presence of stones, tumors, as well as the presence of complications and differentiation of failure from other diseases. X-rays are used for the same purpose.

Treatment

The priority direction of complex treatment for chronic renal failure is to maintain renal function at a compensating level. Appointed special diet . Experts often recommend switching your pet to premium ready-made food. Well-known brands' product lines often include mixtures designed for animals suffering from various diseases.

When feeding natural food in the diet phosphorus content should be reduced. And the number of products with high content iron, on the contrary, is increased. After all, chronic renal failure is often 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, appetizing. Anabolic steroids and B vitamins help you 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;
• medications to control anemia;
• medications to eliminate electrolyte imbalances;
• medications against high blood pressure, vomiting and gastrointestinal disorders.

Sometimes it can be prescribed for cats - a catabolic drug that has immunosuppressive properties. To treat metabolic disorders, your 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 chronic renal failure.

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

For significant weight loss, anabolic steroids are used and vitamin B. Used to lower blood pressure ACE inhibitor - captopril, enalapril. Anemia is corrected with erythropoietin.

Use herbal kidney fees and homeopathic medicines.

At chronic process Mandatory preventive hospitalization and examination are carried out every 2-6 months.

Prevention

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

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

Domestic cats are prone to kidney disease. To prevent the disease, or eliminate its symptoms in sick pets, owners need to know all the information about kidney failure, which in its advanced state is a deadly threat. To understand the scale of the problem, it is worth understanding the functions that the kidneys perform in the animal’s body. This organ is part excretory system and participates in many vital processes.

U healthy cat The kidneys provide the following functions:

• blood pressure stabilization;
• removing toxins and waste from the blood, mineral salts and other toxic substances;
• production of hormones and enzymes;
• Participates in the creation of red blood cells.

The main job of the kidneys is to filter blood. It happens as follows - all the blood flow passes through the nephrons located in the kidneys. During the circulation process, all harmful substances are separated from the blood, which are excreted from the body along with urine, and the purified blood flows back to the heart.

It is important for the pet owner to understand why kidney disease occurs in cats, symptoms and treatment of which are discussed with the veterinarian. In most cases, the risk of the disease is high for older pets who have reached the age of 8-10 years. In these animals, as a result of kidney failure, the filtration system is impaired, and toxic waste accumulates in the circulating blood. In the future, this leads to problems with other organs. However, chronic and acute renal failure in cats, the treatment of which is selected on an individual basis, can also be diagnosed in young cats.

Several factors provoke the disease:

1. bad heredity;
2. genetic predisposition (noted high risk diseases in cats - Persians, Angoras, etc.);
3. improper conditions of detention;
4. violation of the drinking regime;
5. unbalanced or low-quality diet;
6. injuries;
7. infections;
8. formation of stones in the excretory organs.

Symptoms of the disease

Only a qualified veterinarian can correctly recognize the disease, prescribe a treatment package and recommend good medicinal food for cats with kidney failure. The owner’s task is to monitor the cat’s condition and record alarming symptoms, which may indicate the presence of kidney disease.

When found the following symptoms The owner should not postpone a visit to the veterinary clinic:

• loss of appetite;
• vomit;
• the cat rarely goes to the toilet in small quantities, and urination occurs in unusual places;
• the pet looks lethargic and apathetic;
• impaired coordination of movements;
• the cat experiences pain when urinating;
• the animal loses weight;
• disturbance of normal stool;
• refusal of water.

If the owner sees at least one symptom, for example, notices that the cat does not go to the toilet for a little while, he should contact the veterinarian for advice. The symptoms listed above can also be observed in other diseases, such as nephritis in cats; symptoms and treatment for different diseases differ greatly, therefore accurate diagnosis the disease should be entrusted to the veterinarian.

Diagnostic methods

Specialist in veterinary clinic will examine the animal and prescribe a series of tests. Traditionally, to identify kidney problems, cats are given a general chemical analysis blood and urine. The purpose of the tests is to detect the presence of toxins in the blood, which must be eliminated from the body in the urine. If the level of toxins is high, this is a detector that the animal's kidneys are not coping with filtering metabolic waste.

Additional clinical studies which will help identify the cause of the disease: ultrasound, kidney tissue biopsy, x-ray, urinolysis.

Treatment of kidney failure

If the diagnosis of renal failure is confirmed, then therapy is prescribed by a veterinarian in accordance with the stage of the disease. If the disease manifests itself in an acute form, then treatment should occur immediately. Since acute renal failure is caused by any type of blockage of the urinary tract, the obstruction of the canals must be urgently eliminated. At an early stage, the course of the disease is reversible, and if the appropriate set of measures is taken, the cat can live a long and full life.

In the first stages of the disease, the animal owner should not engage in self-treatment cat and give her drugs with a dubious spectrum of action. A veterinarian will prescribe competent therapy. Therapy may consist of prescribing intravenous solutions, which will correct the imbalance of substances in the blood and help stabilize the pet’s condition. When diagnosing chronic renal failure - chronic kidney disease in cats, treatment by stages should be carried out under the supervision of a veterinarian.

It is worth understanding that chronic renal failure in cats, the treatment of which is very different from the treatment of the disease at an early stage, can haunt pets throughout their lives.

The disease at this stage is incurable and affects mainly adult and elderly cats. The diagnosis of chronic renal failure is made by a veterinarian if more than 70% of the kidney tissue is damaged or scarred.

To eliminate the symptoms and reduce the cat’s suffering in such cases, veterinarians prescribe a complex of palliative treatment. Drug treatment CRF in cats may consist of the following measures:

1. Introduced into the pet's diet medicinal food for cats with renal failure from a good manufacturer.
2. Infusion therapy is prescribed.
3. Used conservative methods treatments that do not stop, but slow down the degradation of the kidneys.

In severe cases, therapy involves surgical removal a non-functioning kidney, but this decision is made by the veterinarian after tests confirm that a pet with one kidney can live life to the fullest. Also, if chronic kidney disease is diagnosed in cats, a kidney transplant may be performed. This complex procedure became available to veterinarians not so long ago and in present moment is carried out only in a narrow circle of clinics with equipment of the appropriate level.

Veterinary drugs

After the veterinarian has determined the cause of the disease, examined the medical history and assessed the general physical condition cat, he can prescribe the use of a series medications. Therapy is prescribed on an individual basis, since all animals have their own body characteristics and need certain drugs and appropriate dosages.

Mainly used to treat illness the following types veterinary drugs:

Prednisolone for cats, a catabolic drug with immunosuppressive properties, may sometimes be prescribed. To treat metabolic disorders, your 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 chronic renal failure.

In addition to the veterinary medications listed above, Ipaketin for cats can be used in the treatment of chronic renal failure, which can be purchased 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 for long-term remission.

Pet diet

In order for a cat with kidney failure to have the right to a full life, its diet must be properly balanced. Sick cats are recommended to eat a diet low in phosphorus and protein. These products put a lot of strain on the excretory organs and can cause further deterioration of the pet’s condition.

Not large number protein included in a cat's diet to maintain its muscles and tissues must be extracted from quality products. Optimal sources of lean protein include egg whites, liver, and chicken and turkey fillets. The diet of a pet struggling with an illness should contain an optimal balance of vitamin D and fatty acids omega-3.

Besides natural food, the owner can use ready-made food in the cat’s diet. There are currently many commercial brands on the market working on creating veterinary food lines. Among them, the owner can choose food for cats with kidney failure, which has a special low-fat recipe. Optimal choice products with low phosphorus content will become available. This could be Renal cat food, developed by the Royal Canin brand, in which the composition is carefully selected and balanced, or another food high class. Read about the Royal Canin veterinary food line.

The feed additive Renal for cats Advanced, which contains flavonoids, vitamins and medicinal plant extracts, has received good reviews. This supplement has an anti-inflammatory effect and helps animals cope with the symptoms of the disease. In addition to the main action, feed product has an antioxidant function, reduces hyperazotemia and controls non-regenerative anemia, and also contributes to the normalization of work digestive system. You can buy it at a specialized veterinary pharmacy.

The contents of your pet's bowl will not help him heal. serious illnesses kidneys, however, a well-designed diet with a minimum content of protein, phosphorus and sodium will reduce symptoms and improve general condition pet's health. It is worth understanding that changes in a cat’s diet should not be drastic. It is advisable to specify the specifics of the transition to a new therapeutic diet with a veterinarian. The specialist will tell you how to properly prepare your cat for... new diet and not provoke complications.

Despite its serious nature, kidney disease in cats is not a death sentence for the animal. With the proper level of care, the owner can make the life of his pet as comfortable and long as possible. However, to do this, you should carefully consider the recommendations of veterinarians and take care correct content cat

It is important to strictly control your pet’s diet and provide him with access to drinking water, minimize the amount of stress and emotional trauma.

Sick animals need periodic veterinary examination, therefore, owners of cats with kidney disease should make an appointment at the veterinary clinic in advance.

No matter how sad it may sound, all pets get sick. Our little 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 symptoms of chronic kidney disease in cats.

We will look at what it is, how to identify it and how to deal with it, based on the advice of veterinarians.

If your animal has noticed some disorders in the body, then there is a chance that they may contribute to the development of chronic kidney disease.

Such risk factors include:

• kidney dysfunction;
• frequent inflammations;
• tumors;
• thyroid dysfunction;
• urolithiasis;
• diabetes;
• amyloidosis;
• poisoning

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

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

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

The gastric mucosa and lungs, which are not designed for such loads, will also begin to malfunction, which will lead to general poisoning body. An animal in this state may exhibit increased thirst and may experience muscle cramps, the cat's body temperature will be low and the cat's breath will smell like urine.

Chronic kidney failure takes a long time to develop, maybe even several years, and always leads to irreversible consequences for the kidneys. The disease most often appears in animals whose age is close to 10 years.

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

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

• constant thirst that the animal cannot quench;
• profuse urination, which is caused by the first reason. The urine in this case has no color;
• sometimes the pet may refuse to eat;
• From time to time the animal may vomit. In this case, you need to distinguish whether the cat is sick from the grass it ate, or whether it is caused by something else.

If the disease reaches an advanced form, the symptoms remain, but take on slightly different shapes. In some cases, the animal's appetite may remain, but you will notice the phenomenon of dysphagia, that is, the physical inability to swallow.

If you look closely, you can notice the signs earlier.

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

• asthenic type.
  This symptom is extremely difficult to notice. It is characterized by the fact that your kitty will be very weak, will get tired quickly and spend a lot of time sleeping. And it’s hard to notice because cats already sleep a lot. And when your animal does not interrupt its rest even for food, then you should sound the alarm;
• dystrophic syndrome.
  The cat is losing weight so much that we can already talk about cachexia and hunger edema. This condition can be described by the fact that the animal’s muscles 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.
  A cat has anorexia, caused by the fact that the pet does not eat at all, may experience persistent diarrhea, stomatitis, colitis and enteritis may appear. It is even possible to develop pancreatitis;
• anemic type.
  Red blood cells in red bone marrow are no longer produced properly, which leads to anemia and increases the risk of internal bleeding.
• toxicosis.
  Toxins that accumulate and are not eliminated from the body can affect the nervous system. This can manifest itself in seizures, parasthesias, and incessant itching.

What could be the consequences

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

Kidney failure will cause your pet to:

1. Serious disruption of hydro-salt metabolism.
2. The acid-base state will be disturbed.
3. Toxic nitrogenous bases will begin to accumulate in the body, which will destroy many substances that are beneficial to the cat. The destruction of vitamins, for example, will lead to a rapid and natural deterioration in the animal’s condition.
4. In case of serious damage to the kidneys, the functioning of the endocrine system, or more precisely the function of the adrenal glands, will be disrupted.

This will cause the body to stop producing glucocorticoids, which will lead to hypoglycemia over time.

The first sign is the posture of urination.

Clinical case and specialist opinion

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

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

Options for the development of chronic renal failure.

In this case, the owners were not ready to donate the cat’s blood for testing, 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, it does not return to its original position, but remains raised like a piece of fabric. The cat had sunken eyes and a very tight muzzle. On your back, near pelvic area, while lying down, the cat’s spine was palpated.

The tousled fur remains fluffy, like an old Soviet long-pile carpet. We can definitely state that the cat looks very sick. Despite old age animal, you can help the cat and extend his life for several years. For this purpose it will be carried out subcutaneous injection medications.

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

The needle enters the skin of a dehydrated cat without really wanting to and causes some discomfort in the animal. And when a “meow” escaped from the exhausted mouth, the room was filled with uremic odor. This happens when the pet has urea retention in the body.

The cat's temperature is also reduced. IN field conditions, if you don’t have a thermometer, you can measure the animal’s temperature by touching its ears. If the ears are cold to the touch, this indicates that the cat's body temperature is low. At normal body temperature, your ears should feel a little warm.

This type of IV will finish delivering the drug in about 10 minutes, and this procedure will need to be repeated several times. After this, the cat will need to be given an injection of B vitamins and then an antibiotic injection.