Treatment FAQ

what is best treatment for early kidney disease in cats

by Prof. Braeden Jaskolski IV Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Dietary modification is an important and proven aspect of CKD treatment. Therapeutic diets that are restricted in protein, phosphorus and sodium content and high in water-soluble vitamins, fiber, and antioxidant concentrations may prolong life and improve quality of life in cats with CKD.

Full Answer

What are the final symptoms of kidney failure in cats?

  • Seizures
  • Low body temperature
  • Comatose state
  • Severe lethargy and weakness

How to feed cat with kidney problems?

Rice with Vegetables and Tuna

  • 50 grams of brown rice
  • 85 grams of canned tuna to the natural
  • 15 grams of canned clams
  • 30 grams of vegetables of your choice, suitable for cats (carrot, celery, parsley)
  • 1 tablespoon of olive oil
  • 1 gram of calcium carbonate (commercial or the shell of a crushed egg)

How to treat renal failure in cats?

My suggestions for preventing chronic kidney disease in the cat are:

  1. Feed a wholesome, balanced diet that is not heat-processed. Avoid dry kibble.
  2. Minimize immunizations. I do not recommend giving core vaccines (FVRCP and Rabies) more frequently than once every three years.
  3. Avoid using any insecticides on your cat. If you have problems with fleas or ticks, there are natural products that can be effective.

How do you treat kidney failure in cats?

Powerful Tools for Cat Renal Failure Challenges

  • Learn more about cat renal failure.
  • Ask your vet about Epakitin. Epakitin is a chitosan-based supplement that helps with the filtering your cat’s kidneys can no longer do.
  • Home cook for your pet. Go to our slow-cooker recipe page and try one of our cat food recipes for kidney disease or renal failure. ...
  • Learn more about TCVM Herbal Remedies. ...

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Can you treat early kidney disease in cats?

While there is no cure for chronic kidney disease, if it's detected and treated early your cat's longevity and quality of life can be improved.

Can early kidney disease be reversed in cats?

If diagnosed in time, acute renal failure can often be reversed. It can happen in cats of any age and typically results from poisons, trauma, infection, organ failure, urethral blockages, dehydration and other causes.

How long can a cat live with early stage kidney disease?

Cats diagnosed with early disease have an average survival time of 3 years. Those with moderate disease live an average of 2 years. Those with advanced disease generally succumb to CKD within months. Despite these general rates, the survival time of any individual cat is impossible to predict.

What is early stage kidney disease in cats?

Even when they do, the first signals of kidney disease in cats are easy to miss, including subtle weight loss, urinating/peeing more often and drinking more water." Lethargy, or lack of energy, a decrease or loss of appetite or vomiting, are often strong indicators that something is amiss; therefore, monitor your pet ...

How do you slow down kidney disease in cats?

Dietary modification is an important and proven aspect of CKD treatment. Studies suggest that therapeutic diets that are restricted in protein, phosphorus and sodium content and high in water-soluble vitamins, fiber, and antioxidant concentrations may prolong life and improve quality of life in cats with CKD.

What can you not feed a cat with kidney disease?

High salt (sodium) diets may increase blood pressure and may worsen kidney damage, so diets designed for pets with kidney disease are low in sodium. You should also avoid feeding high salt treats such as cheese, bread, deli meat, and many commercial dog and cat treats.

Does dry food cause kidney failure in cats?

From a life long diet of dry cat food will eventually lead to urinary tract issues and chronic kidney disease, especially for older animals. Other complications as a result of dry kibble include feline type II diabetes and the formation of urinary crystals or stones.

What are the symptoms of stage 1 kidney disease?

Signs and symptoms of Stage 1 CKD include:High blood pressure.Swelling in your hands or feet.Urinary tract infections.Protein in your urine.Blood in your urine (also called hematuria)Kidney damage that shows up in an ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, or kidney biopsy.

How much does it cost to treat a cat with kidney disease?

Chronic kidney disease It ranks fourth on Nationwide's list of common ailments for cats and is the second-priciest condition, averaging $649 a year to treat.

Can early stage kidney disease be cured?

Living with stage 1 kidney disease There is no cure for kidney disease, but it may be possible to stop its progress or at least slow down the damage. In many cases, the correct treatment and lifestyle changes can help keep a person and their kidneys healthier longer.

Are cats in pain with kidney disease?

A cat suffering from CKD is likely to be experiencing both physical and emotional pain due to the number of side effects associated with the disease; vomiting, dehydration and anorexia for example.

Do cats with kidney disease drink more water?

Cats will often drink more to compensate for this increased rate of body water loss. This is known as compensated renal failure. After approximately two-thirds of the kidney tissues have failed, there is a rapid rise in waste products in the bloodstream and an apparent sudden onset of severe disease.

What is the stage 1 kidney disease in cats?

Stage 1 kidney disease in cats is an important health issue to keep an eye on, no matter what your cat's age. With the proper treatment and nutrition, though, you can keep your kitty happy and manage her condition.

How do you know if your cat has kidney disease?

Even when they do, the first signals of kidney disease in cats are easy to miss, including subtle weight loss, urinating/peeing more often and drinking more water." Lethargy, or lack of energy, a decrease or loss of appetite or vomiting, are often strong indicators that something is amiss; therefore, monitor your pet very closely, and if you notice these changes or others, contact your veterinarian right away for an appointment, as the illness can progress quickly if not treated early.

What is the best way to care for an elderly cat?

Nutrition. Nutrition is a key component of your pet's wellness, particularly for senior cats (which cats can start showing signs of aging as early as seven), when issues like kidney disease play a more prominent role. Accommodating the changing nutritional needs of your aging cat, such as choosing the right cat food, ...

What tests do you do when you bring a cat in for a checkup?

When you bring your cat in for a checkup, she will undergo a variety of tests to determine if she has kidney disease. Historically, in cats with chronic kidney disease (usually seniors), the vet specifically will look at the levels of two "biochemical byproducts," explains VCA Animal Hospital: blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine, ...

How to keep phosphorus down in cats?

The easiest way to keep blood phosphorous down is to restrict the amount that a cat [consumes in the diet].". The desired level of phosphorous intake depends on the level of your cat's kidney disease, which your vet will explain to you. Hill's takes this very seriously when it formulates its cat food to ensure that your cat is receiving ...

Can cats inherit kidney disease?

Researchers cannot say for sure why cats develop it, but other medical issues can lead to kidney disease, such as an infection, a virus, gum disease, and dehydration. Some cats can inherit the disease from their parents. Typically, older cats develop kidney disease, but younger cats can be affected, too.

Is phosphorus in cat food?

The mineral phosphorus, for example , is naturally found in protein-rich foods, like meats and fish, is found in pet food. However, as PetMD emphasizes, phosphorus levels must be monitored in a cat ...

How to treat kidney disease in cats?

In an ideal world, the cat eats a renal diet, takes an ACE-inhibitor, and has access to plenty of fresh drinking water. If its condition deteriorates and it starts to vomit then sucralfate and an H2 antagonist are added to help its stomach heal. Its appetite may be improved with regular vitamin B injections, and routine screening of urine and blood pressure should be undertaken every 3 months.

What to do if a cat has kidney disease?

Use medications to repair toxin damage to the stomach wall. When a cat has kidney disease, there are raised levels of urea and phosphate in the blood, which are particularly irritating to the stomach lining and the gums.

Why do cats have kidney problems?

If it does occur, it is usually because of a genetic disorder causing premature aging of the kidney, or because the cat has ingested a toxin (such as ethylene glycol in anti-freeze) which damages kidney tissue.

What are the consequences of kidney disease?

Undetected and untreated, this can have catastrophic consequences such as stroke, blindness, or sudden death. Hypertension is detected by measuring a cat’s venous blood pressure in a paw or in the vein under the tail.

What does it mean when a kidney infection is subclinical?

Many cases are "subclinical", which means they are present and sufficient to be a nuisance, but not severe enough to cause obvious symptoms. It is important that the subclinical infections are detected and treated with antibiotics before they cause further kidney damage.

What is the job of a cat's kidneys?

One of the kidney's jobs is to filter blood and remove the waste products of digestion so they can be excreted through urine. A cat with kidney disease has an impaired ability to do this. To keep your cat’s kidneys’ from struggling with food, feed your cat a diet which, when digested, is lower in toxins.

Why do vets do urine and blood tests?

Your veterinarian may run urine and blood tests in order to diagnose renal disease and may run an ultrasound scan of the kidney to rule out cancer. Kidney biopsies are infrequently done unless the scan indicates cancer because reaching a specific diagnosis is unlikely to alter the treatment needed.

What Is Kidney Disease In Cats?

Just as with humans, your cat’s kidneys provide a vital role in filtering blood and creating urine. In healthy kidneys, toxins and waste are filtered. However, if your cat’s kidneys start to lose function, blood pressure may increase, and production of red blood cells may also be affected.

Causes Of Kidney Disease In Cats

There are quite a few causes of kidney disease in cats, but toxins, trauma and even medication can occasionally be responsible for acute kidney failure.

Symptoms Of Early Stage Kidney Disease In Cats

As previously mentioned, cats are very good at hiding illness. Your cat can’t tell you what’s wrong, and the only way to find out is by noticing subtle signs.

How Is Kidney Disease In Cats Diagnosed?

If you’ve noticed any of the above signs it’s important to get your cat checked out by a vet as soon as possible. This is because early stage kidney disease can be managed.

Treatment for kidney disease in cats

If your cat has been diagnosed with kidney disease your vet will create a treatment plan. This will depend on the stage your cat is in the disease.

Final Thoughts

CKD can often be managed very well with the right treatment. Modern veterinary medicine is a world away from what it was decades ago.

What are the treatment goals for kidney failure in cats?

Treatment goals include reducing the kidneys’ workload, minimizing waste products from the blood, replacing lost nutrients, and managing clinical signs. Treatments can generally be grouped into dietary changes and medications. Be aware that not every cat in kidney failure will need every available treatment.

What is kidney failure in cats?

Kidney failure is a complicated but manageable disease in older cats. If your cat is in kidney failure, work with your veterinarian and do your best to care for your cat.

How old is a cat when it has kidney failure?

Chronic kidney failure, also called chronic kidney disease, develops over many years. It usually begins when cats are about six years old and becomes progressively worse as the nephrons slowly die. When more nephrons die than can be replaced, kidney failure becomes apparent.

What happens when the kidneys stop working?

Kidney failure occurs when at least two-thirds of each kidney is damaged. With this much damage, the kidneys cannot perform their essential functions. Kidney failure can be acute or chronic. Acute kidney failure occurs when the kidneys suddenly stop working.

How to tell if you have advanced kidney failure?

Uremia, which is the life-threatening buildup of toxins and waste in the blood, develops and causes severe clinical signs. Reduced appetite. Weight loss.

What organs do cats have?

The kidneys are bean-shaped organs responsible for several vital functions, including filtering toxins and waste out of your cat’s bloodstream, producing urine, regulating the blood’s levels of nutrients, and conserving water.

What is the best diet for kidney failure?

Dietary Changes. The ideal kidney diet is low in protein, phosphorus, and sodium. A low-protein diet is needed to reduce the kidneys’ workload, but the protein must be of high quality. Phosphorus must be kept low because it can accumulate in the blood when the kidneys are failing.

What are the two types of kidney failure in cats?

Today, we are going to talk about cat renal disease and cat kidney failure herbal remedies. There are two types of kidney failure in cats: acute and chronic. First, let’s talk about cat renal failure in general. Acute renal failure happens suddenly and to cats of all ages.

Why does my cat have renal failure?

Chronic renal failure occurs gradually over time, usually in older cats. Common causes are: Kidney infections and blockages. Advanced dental disease. High blood pressure.

What is epakitin for cats?

Epakitin is a chitosan-based supplement that helps with filtering your cat’s kidneys. Home cook for your pet. Try one of PET | TAO’s cat food recipes for kidney disease or renal failure. Make sure to run it by your holistic vet first! Learn more about TCVM Herbal Remedies.

What to do if your cat has CKD?

The first thing will be to treat any underlying condition that has cause your cat’s CKD. For example, if your cat has a blockage, that will need to be resolved immediately. Dietary changes will likely need to be made to keep your cat’s kidneys functioning as well as they can.

How to diagnose kidney disease in cats?

How is kidney disease in cats diagnosed? Kidney disease diagnosis is normally done with both blood and urine tests. Both of these will test how many waste products that the kidneys normally process are present in the urine and blood. Blood tests will be looking for the presence of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine.

Why is it important to see a vet for a cat with a urinary tract infection?

Injury to the abdomen or pelvis can hurt the kidneys and cause failure. Kidney infection. This is why it’s so important for your cat to see a vet if you suspect a urinary tract infection. Untreated UTIs can easily lead to a kidney infection that has life-long consequences. Poisons.

Why is my cat not peeing?

Blockages that would cause strain on the kidneys, such as a urethral blockage that would prevent a cat from urinating properly. Low blood pressure caused by heart failure. While acute renal failure is scary, the good news is when caught soon enough the damage can be reversed.

What happens to a cat's kidneys as they age?

As a cat ages though, the kidneys can become damaged , and all these processes can be harmed.

How do you know if your cat has kidney failure?

Both forms of kidney failure have the same symptoms. Frequent urination. This is a sign that your cat’s kidneys can no longer hold onto water, and so their body is getting rid of it more quickly. The urine might also look cloudy. Drinking a lot of water. Loss of appetite. Weight loss. Ulcers in the mouth.

How old is a cat with kidney disease?

Chronic kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is typically seen in cats aged 7 years and older. Chronic kidney disease usually happens more slowly and over a longer period of time than acute kidney failure. Sometimes there’s no known cause of chronic kidney disease, and no other medical issues will be found.

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