| Just like us, cats are subject to sickness and stress. | | | | If your cat's kidney disease has impacted his kidney's |
| And, just like us, there are many things that can be | | | | ability to perform as it should, waste materials have |
| done to maintain their good health. One all too | | | | begun to collect in the blood. Symptoms of potential |
| common ailment befalling cats is kidney failure, | | | | kidney failure in your cat include: |
| symptoms of which are similar to those in humans. | | | | - Loss of appetite |
| It's an often fatal disease, and is certainly something | | | | - Increased thirst |
| you want to - and can - prevent. Here's how to | | | | - Frequent urination, or increased volume of urine |
| recognize the symptoms of kidney failure in cats. | | | | - Poor condition of fur |
| Paula began to be aware that her cat, Beau, was | | | | - Depression and/or vomiting |
| drinking more water than usual. Not just once, but | | | | What You Can Do To Prevent Kidney Disease |
| for several consecutive days. She knew that excess | | | | While the disease is most frequently found in older |
| thirst could be a sign of illness, so she made an | | | | cats, younger ones are not free from the danger. |
| appointment with Beau's vet for some tests. Urine | | | | And while it isn't always avoidable, there ARE things |
| and blood analysis made it clear that Beau was in the | | | | you can be doing to help minimize the likelihood of |
| initial stages of acute kidney disease. But Beau was a | | | | your cat developing the disease: |
| lucky kitty. Because his problem was detected early, | | | | - Feed them the highest quality cat food you can |
| Paula's vet was able to treat the illness successfully | | | | (preferably wet food; many are specifically |
| and Beau made a total recovery. | | | | developed to boost kidney functioning) |
| What Is Kidney Disease? | | | | - Provide continual access to fresh, clean water |
| In brief, the function of your cat's kidneys is to filter | | | | - Get rid of any toxic materials in your home |
| and remove waste material from their blood stream. | | | | - Maintain a quiet, low stress environment (you'll |
| They also control the volume and composition of | | | | benefit from this as well!) |
| your cat's body fluids. | | | | - Regular vet visits, to spot potential issues as quickly |
| There are 2 types of kidney disease: | | | | as possible |
| - Acute, a sudden and unexpected loss of kidney | | | | You are your cat's advocate and guardian angel. You |
| functioning which can occasionally be reversed, and | | | | are your animal's best chance to get the medical |
| - Chronic, a loss of kidney function that happens | | | | attention he needs when the issue is still at an early |
| gradually over a period of time. Chronic kidney | | | | stage and treatment is most likely to be successful. |
| disease is generally progressive; however, depending | | | | The emphasis here is on prevention; it is always |
| on the underlying cause - and with careful | | | | preferable to forestall a potential illness, or to catch |
| management - your cat can continue to live | | | | and treat it in the early stages, than to be forced to |
| comfortably for several years. | | | | deal with it after it's gotten a firm foothold. |
| The factors behind kidney disease can include | | | | There are many excellent products on the market |
| inherited defects, infections, toxic substances and | | | | that will help you boost your cat's ability to fend off |
| simply growing older. Though the exact cause of | | | | illness, some intended specifically to prevent feline |
| your cat's kidney disease can be tricky to establish, | | | | kidney symptoms from appearing in the first place. |
| with careful testing by your vet, it's possible that it | | | | But if you believe you've already detected any of |
| can be managed. Most treatments are intended to | | | | the symptoms of kidney failure in your cat, schedule |
| decrease the workload of the kidneys, reduce the | | | | a vet visit immediately. With early detection, your cat |
| severity of the symptoms, and slow the progression | | | | has the best chance of surviving and living a long and |
| of the disease. | | | | happy life. |
| What Are The Symptoms of Kidney Failure In Cats? | | | | |