Kidney Disease

General Information:

Normal kidneys filter the blood, removing wastes and excreting them in the urine. Kidneys damaged by infection or inflammation lose some of this filtering ability, and waste products accumulate in the bloodstream. Continued re-circulation of this material results in illness. About three-fourths of kidney tissue must be damaged before signs of illness appear. For this reason, kidney disease is often considered chronic (present a long time) even though the affected pet may not have shown signs of disease for very long.

Acute kidney disease is a general term referring to kidney disease of sudden onset. About three-fourths of the total kidney tissue must be damaged before signs of illness appear. Kidney disease is often life-threatening, as the body cannot eliminate waste products or maintain the balance of fluid and elements vital to life. Causes of acute kidney disease include infections, chemical poisons, trauma, urinary tract obstructions and disease of the immune system. The resulting damage to the kidneys may not be reversible in all cases.

Common signs of illness may include depression, lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, increased water consumption, and increased or decreased urine output.

Chronic kidney disease is a term used when kidney function has been impaired for a long period of time. This condition is often referred to as uremic syndrome. Uremia is a term that means the circulating toxins not cleared by the kidneys are causing the signs of chronic kidney disease (vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst, increased urination, decreased appetite, depression, bad breath and weight loss. Continued illness results in collapse, seizures, coma and death). Common in older cats.

Though chronic kidney disease is not curable, it is often controllable. Many pets can live reasonably normal lives when properly managed in a cooperative effort between owner and Vet.

Treatment Information:

Kidney disease is very serious and hospitalization is usually required. Laboratory tests are necessary for diagnosis and evaluation of the response to treatment.

1. Intravenous fluids:
Initial treatment involves flushing the animal's blood with intravenous fluids to improve urine production (therefore ridding the body of the harmful toxins)and restore normal electrolyte and fluid. Usually this is done in the hospital. When the values of the kidney function tests are more normal, treatment can continue at home.

2. Diet:
A food low in protein and salt and high in non-protein calories is the diet of choice.

Kidney prescription diet foods should be the only food given to your pet during treatment (No treats).

3. Water:
Provide ready access to clean, fresh water at all times.

4. The cause of the problem must also be treated, eg infections with antibiotics, obstructions by surgery.

Give all medication as directed. If you cannot give the medication contact your Vet.