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Older felines usually have problems with kidney disease moreso than their younger counterparts. This condition can occur suddenly known as acute, or develop over time and be classified as chronic. Damage to the kidneys is very serious since they’re responsible for eliminating toxins from the bloodstream. Here is all owners need to know about kidney disease in felines.

Causes

Cats can dvelop kidney disease for a number of different reasons. Your cat’s kidney function will naturally decrease with age. Lack of potassium in the diet is another risk factor.

Cats can also develop kidney disease due to various medications. Blood pressure medications, anesthetics, antibiotics, and antiparasitic drugs can be responsible. Antifreeze, pesticides, and other chemicals can also cause the condition.

Signs

As mentioned earlier, the kidneys have a large reserve capacity. This means that up to 75% of the organ can be damaged and the signs won’t be noticeable. It’s common for cats with kidney disease to start urinating and drinking more. Your cat will also lose the ability to concentrate his urine.

As kidney function deteriorates and the disease progresses, toxins start to build up in the body. Oral ulcers, depression, vomiting, and loss of appetite are some of the common signs. Owners may also notice that their pet’s breath has a foul odor. Seizures may also develop in the later stages of the disease.

Diagnosis

There are other diseases that cause symptoms similar to those of kidney disease in cats. Hyperthyroidism and diabetes are two of these conditions. Your vet will need to perform urine and blood tests in order to diagnose kidney disease.

Lack of urine concentration will be shown in the urinalysis. An x-ray may also show that the kidneys are irregular or shrunken. Palpating the kidneys or performing an ultrasound are two other options.

Treatment

As the kidneys become damaged, uremic toxins will buildup instead of being expelled from the body. Your cat may need plenty of fluids and a special diet. Cats have to be hospitalized in order to receive intravenous fluids.

Any medications that are responsible for causing kidney disease will need to be discontinued. Cats with this condition will need a low protein diet. Sometimes, blood transfusions need to be given to battle anemia.

All owners should know about various cat diseases. Learning this information will help you recognize signs of disease quickly. To learn about some of these conditions, click over to common-cat-diseases.com today.

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