Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common diagnosis in cats, particularly in the older population.
Generally, CKD is diagnosed if there is evidence of renal dysfunction that has been present for more than a few weeks. Acute kidney injury may lead to CKD, but potentially has a better prognosis and will be covered elsewhere.
CKD is a permanent condition where significant amounts of the kidney function has been lost. In early disease, there may be minimal clinical signs, but as the disease progresses your cat may become unwell due to the combined effects of dehydration (as the kidneys can no longer retain water in the body) and the build-up of metabolic products that are normally excreted via the kidneys. This may cause loss of appetite, weight loss, excessive thirst and possibly other signs such as vomiting.
Once we have diagnosed CKD your cat will be categorised into a particular stage, according to the International Renal Interest Society. This is considered best practice and will allow us to choose thebest management strategy for your cat. We may also tweak the treatment regimen according to individual requirements.
Generally, the management of CKD involves the use of specialised low protein, low phosphate diets and maintenance of adequate hydration. As the disease progresses, we may need to also add in medications to improve your cat’s appetite and control high blood phosphate levels.
Many cats with CKD will also have high blood pressure, which may further damage kidneys and cause damage to the eyes, heart and/or brain. We will regularly check your cat’s blood pressure using a specialised machine called a Doppler. If the blood pressure is elevated we will then prescribe medication to ensure it stays within the normal range.
Cats with CKD can also develop urinary tract infections or excessive urine protein loss, thus regular checks of your cat’s urine will also be incorporated into the management program.
We’ve included some links and videos below to help you with management of your cat’s CKD. If you have any further questions please email us at clinic@melbournecatvets.com.au or make an appointment to discuss things with one of our expert vets.
