Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most common chronic diseases found in older cats. Many owners are amazed at how slowly CKD can develop. While a cat appears perfectly normal for months or even years as the kidneys continue to suffer some degree of damage, once visible signs of CKD become apparent, much of the kidney’s functioning has been lost.
To understand why this occurs we need to review how feline kidneys perform their functions and also how aging affects those organs.
The Role of the Kidneys in Cats
The primary role of the kidneys in the feline body is to remove or eliminate (filter) all unwanted substances or waste products from the circulating blood and aid in the proper regulation of all bodily fluids. The kidneys are also responsible for maintaining certain mineral levels within the body, regulating blood pressure and pH (acid base), producing two hormone factors involved with red blood cell formation, etc.
If kidney function begins to decline, this can lead to improper functioning of all the above mentioned systems. As waste products continue to accumulate and the body cannot properly regulate its fluids, minerals, or blood pressure, the cat’s overall health will eventually begin to deteriorate and be unable to sustain normal physiological function.
Why Kidney Disease Is So Common in Cats
Aging and Natural Wear
One of the main factors behind why kidney disease occurs frequently in Cats is age. The same way in which aging affects the joints, vision, hearing, etc., it also affects how well kidneys work. Many senior Cats will develop chronic kidney disease because the kidneys gradually deteriorate throughout their lifetime.
Dehydration from low water intake
In addition to being at an older age, Cats may also be susceptible to kidney disease based upon their inherent biological characteristics. The cat’s ancestral lineage came from a desert environment. Therefore, Cats developed mechanisms to conserve water. Today’s indoor/domestic cat has highly concentrated urine and very little of a natural drive to consume large amounts of fluids. Dry cat foods contribute to this by providing less moisture compared to canned cat foods. Repeated mild dehydration throughout a cat’s life may put additional stress on its kidneys (over time).
Chronic inflammation
The overall effect of having a chronic dental problem could potentially lead to an increased amount of systemic inflammation which may adversely impact your pet’s health overall. Long-term dental disease contributes more through chronic inflammation than through direct kidney infection. Maintaining proper dental care for cats is therefore an important part of supporting overall health, particularly as cats age.
Blood Pressure, hyperthyroidism & urinary tract problems
Other factors include blood Pressure issues, hyperthyroidism, urinary tract problems, etc. Cats may suffer from repeated episodes of kidney dysfunction caused by infection/inflammation; however, many times this damage will result in irreversible reduction of kidney function. Genetics could potentially also influence whether or not a cat will experience kidney related health issues; although some breeds appear to be more predisposed than others to developing kidney related diseases.
Toxin exposure
Lastly, Toxins can injure the kidneys. Human medications, plant Toxins like lily plants, antifreeze and most household chemicals are all hazardous to Cats. A small exposure to even a few of these items can lead to significant kidney damage. Although toxin induced kidney injury typically results in acute renal failure (as opposed to chronic renal disease), some instances of severe toxin injury can result in chronic kidney damage.
Early warning Signs pet Owners miss
As cats age, their kidneys degenerate at a slow pace; therefore, early Signs of this issue are frequently mild. Cats will normally begin to drink some additional water and use their litter box more than they have in the past. The pet owner may notice that the cat is losing weight due to decreased appetite. The pet’s coat quality will deteriorate, and their overall activity level will decline.
In addition, bad breath, occasional vomiting, and muscle loss (as kidney function continues to decline) may become apparent. Because cats are naturally inclined to hide pain, pet Owners typically don’t see the early Signs of kidney disease. As a result, routine veterinary visits are likely one of the most effective methods to discover if your cat has kidney disease prior to major symptoms appearing.
Diagnosing and Monitoring Kidney Disease
A veterinarian uses various techniques to diagnose kidney disease including blood tests, urinalysis, blood pressure assessment, and imaging studies (ultrasound). An early detection of kidney disease provides the opportunity for treatments that slow the progression of kidney failure and improve the quality of life of the affected cat.
Since kidney disease is most commonly seen in geriatric cats, senior wellness examinations should include Monitoring for kidney disease. If kidney disease is detected early enough, it can provide the opportunity for improved management of the condition and extended longevity.
Managing chronic kidney failure
While chronic kidney failure can rarely be reversed, successful long-term management of the condition is possible for many cats. Improved management of the condition involves providing special kidney diets, encouraging increased water consumption by the cat, administration of fluids when necessary to maintain hydration, controlling hypertension, and treating related conditions such as nausea and/or anemia. Successful management of the condition improves both the quantity and quality of life for cats diagnosed with kidney failure.
Conclusion
Kidney disease is so common in cats because of a combination of aging, low water intake, chronic inflammation, underlying illness, and toxin exposure. Since the condition develops quietly, many owners do not realisez there is a problem until the disease is advanced.
Early detection through monitoring symptoms or by having your veterinarian perform routine examinations will improve quality of life for years to follow for most cats diagnosed with kidney disease.
