Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats

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  • At a glance

    • About: Chronic kidney disease is a gradual loss of kidney function over months or years which causes a build-up of toxins in the blood. CKD is a common disease in middle-aged to senior cats.
    • Causes: There are a number of causes of chronic kidney disease including infection, hereditary, kidney tumours, nephritis and nephrosis, polycystic kidney disease, aging and idiopathic (no known cause).
    • Symptoms: Frequent urination, increased thirst, weight loss, bad breath, decreased appetite, weight loss, lethargy, oral ulcers, vomiting, drooling (due to nausea), and anemia.
    • Diagnosis: Thorough physical examination along with baseline tests including biochemical profile, complete blood count, urinalysis as well as urine specific gravity, x-rays, and ultrasound.
    • Treatment: Low protein diet, phosphorous binders, anti-nausea medications, and in some cases erythropoietin to increase red blood cell production.

    What is chronic kidney disease?

    CKD is the progressive deterioration of the kidneys, which happens over a period of time and is one of the leading causes of death in senior cats.

    Each kidney has tiny filtering units called nephrons. Blood passes through the kidney and is filtered by the nephrons. They reabsorb what is needed, and the waste is excreted in the urine. The wastes come from the normal breakdown of active muscle from the food the cat eats.

    The body uses food for energy and self-repair, and after it takes what it needs, waste is sent to the blood and transported to the kidneys, and eliminated from the body via the urine.

    The kidneys are an amazing organ, and even with the loss of some nephrons, the remaining ones can compensate. Kidney disease becomes apparent when 70% of the kidney function has been lost. Once this happens, the kidneys are unable to remove the waste from the body, and therefore these wastes build up in the cat causing poisoning.

    What do kidneys do?

    Kidneys help control blood pressure by releasing an enzyme called renin. When blood pressure drops and kidneys don’t receive enough blood, renin is released; causing blood vessels to contract (tighten). When the blood vessels contract, blood pressure goes up.

    Kidneys filter waste products and excess water from the blood. The cleaned blood stays in the body and the waste products leave the body in urine.

    Stimulation of red blood cell production.

    They help maintain the proper balance of acid and minerals, including sodium, calcium, potassium, and magnesium, in the blood.

    Causes

    There are many possible causes of CRF including:

    • Hereditary or congenital abnormalities
    • Gum disease
    • Kidney tumours
    • Infectious diseases, especially FIP and FeLV
    • Prolonged exposure to toxins
    • Nephritis and nephrosis
    • Polycystic kidney disease
    • Genetic predisposition
    • Ageing
    • Idiopathic (unknown)

    Symptoms

    Over time, the more damage to the kidneys the more they lose their ability to filter efficiently. The kidneys are no longer able to conserve water and concentrate urine; therefore more urine is produced, and the cat drinks more to make up for this extra urine output.

    Chronic kidney failure also causes other problems such as anemia, high blood pressure, and bone disease in the body by impairing hormone production by the kidneys.

    Diagnosis

    Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical examination and take a medical history of your cat.

    Diagnostic workup:

    • Complete blood count: A test of the blood which counts the various types of cells which make up whole blood, this may reveal anemia (low red blood cell count).
    • Biochemical profile: This test of the plasma (the clear straw coloured) portion of the blood may reveal elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine are both indicative of renal failure. Hypokalemia (low blood potassium) due to increased urinary excretion.
    • Urinalysis: A test of the cat’s urine will be able to provide additional information on the extent of kidney damage, urine-concentrating ability, and if an infection is present in the urinary tract.
    • Urine protein:Creatinine ratio (UPCR): A test to evaluate how much protein is being lost via the kidneys by measuring protein and creatinine in a urine sample. Creatinine, a by-product of muscle metabolism, is normally excreted into the urine at a constant rate. Low levels of protein in the urine are normal, but high levels of protein are a sign of kidney injury/disease. The UPCR expresses the difference between the two values (protein, creatinine) as a ratio.
    • Kidney ultrasound or x-ray: To evaluate the size and shape of the kidneys and look for tumours.
    • Kidney biopsy: A sample of the cat’s kidney is taken via an ultrasound-guided needle for microscopic evaluation.

    Treatment

    With proper treatment, your cat may still have many months or years of life ahead. Reducing the level of toxins in the cat is essential as well as maintaining adequate hydration as affected cats need to compensate for large urine outputs. If hydration isn’t maintained, toxins will build-up, which will lead to nausea, and reluctance to drink which exacerbates the problem.

    Stage one kidney disease can usually be managed with diet and maintaining hydration alone. If and when diet and hydration are no longer keeping the cat stable, additional therapies can be added.

    Maintain hydration

    Encourage water consumption by providing fresh, clean drinking water at all times. Some cats can be encouraged to drink more by providing them with a water fountain. Wash water bowls daily and thoroughly clean the water fountain every three days. Place water bowls in easy-to-access locations, and at least one water bowl for every level in the home. A cat will be less likely to drink if he or she has to travel down a flight of stairs to the basement to reach the water bowl.

    Dehydrated cats will require administration of fluids subcutaneously. If necessary, your veterinarian can teach you how to administer fluids at home.

    Prescription diet

    Kidney diets contain a lower percentage of protein and less phosphorus than regular cat food. Cats need protein every day for growth, building muscles, and repairing tissue. After the body uses the protein in the foods, a waste product called urea is produced. Cats with kidney failure are not able to get rid of this urea normally.

    Damaged kidneys are also not as efficient at removing phosphorus from the blood which causes the level of phosphorus in the blood to become too high. A high blood phosphorus level can cause the cat to lose calcium from their bones.

    Cats can resist changes in diet, therefore pet owners must transition the cat over to the new diet over a month.

    • Week 1 – 25% renal diet, 75% former diet
    • Week 2 – 50% renal diet, 50% former diet
    • Week 3 – 75% renal diet, 25% former diet
    • Week 4 – 100% renal diet

    Prescription renal diets

    • Hill’s g/d (Dry and canned) – For aging cats to support the kidneys and heart.
    • Hill’s k/d (Dry and canned) – Low phosphorous and sodium, reduced but high-quality protein.
    • Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Renal (Dry) – Low phosphorous, reduced but high-quality protein.
    • Eukanuba Veterinary Diets Renal (Dry and canned) – Low phosphorous, reduced but high-quality protein, omega 3 fatty acids.
    • Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Feline NF Renal Function (Dry and canned) – Low phosphorous, reduced but high-quality protein.

    Phosphorus binders

    Phosphate is an abundant mineral in the body. Together, calcium and phosphate work closely to build and repair bones and teeth. Around 85% of phosphate is in the bones, and the remaining 15% is stored in the cells where it is responsible for energy metabolism as well as being an integral structural component of DNA and RNA.

    The kidneys filter excess phosphate and excrete it out of the body in the urine. As the kidneys begin to fail, they are less able to get rid of excess phosphate, and levels start to build up. A high blood phosphorus level may cause the cat to lose calcium from its bones.

    Your veterinarian can prescribe phosphate binders in conjunction with a restricted phosphate diet to slow the progression of kidney failure. Phosphate binders work by binding to phosphate in the gastrointestinal tract, which prevents it from getting into the bloodstream.

    Blood pressure medications

    Calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and diuretics to reduce blood pressure. Norvasc (Amlodipine) is a calcium channel blocker that is the most common medication to treat high blood pressure in cats. Medications won’t cure high blood pressure but will assist in controlling it.

    Antacids

    These medications block the production of stomach acid or neutralise it. Pepcid (famotidine), Zantac (ranitidine), Tagamet (cimetidine) and Losec (omeprazole).

    Anti-nausea medications

    Nausea is a common symptom of chronic kidney failure due to increased toxins in the bloodstream. Remeron (mirtazapine), Cerenia (maropitant) can be of help to reduce nausea.

    Appetite stimulants

    A side effect of nausea (see above) is a loss of appetite in many cats. Remeron (mirtazapine) which is listed above is not only an anti-nausea medication but is also an appetite stimulant.

    Erythropoietin

    The kidneys produce a hormone, erythropoietin, which instructs the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. Cats with kidney failure often have a low red blood cell count. Only the human form is available, and some cats may eventually recognise this substance as foreign create antibodies against it.

    When is the right time to euthanise?

    This can be difficult to gauge, and it is important to have a good relationship with your veterinarian who will be able to guide you. Ultimately, when treatment is no longer enough to keep the disease at bay, and/or if your cat is suffering, it is time to consider euthanasia.

    I personally have kept a cat (who had cancer) alive for longer than necessary. At the time I wasn’t aware, but in hindsight, I believe she should have been euthanised 2-4 weeks sooner. It is heartbreaking to say goodbye to a beloved pet, but we must do what is best for the cat and not let them suffer.

    Dr Alice Villalobos, a veterinary oncologist, created a quality of life scale that can help caregivers and veterinarians determine when the cat’s quality of life is such that euthanasia must be considered.

    Associated diseases

    Author

    • Julia Wilson, 'Cat World' Founder

      Julia Wilson is the founder of Cat-World, and has researched and written over 1,000 articles about cats. She is a cat expert with over 20 years of experience writing about a wide range of cat topics, with a special interest in cat health, welfare and preventative care. Julia lives in Sydney with her family, four cats and two dogs. Full author bio