Even if cats seem to be “tough as nails”, it should not hide the fact that with advancing age, certain organs become weaker and more susceptible to disease, including the kidneys.

The kidneys are important organs that eliminate metabolic products, toxins, and foreign substances. Furthermore, they regulate the water, electrolyte and acid-base balance and fulfil important hormonal tasks.

With advancing age, degenerative changes of the kidneys can occur in the cat. The initial causes are often inflammations, protein deposits or infections. Unlike the liver, the kidneys cannot regenerate themselves after damage.

Chronic renal failure in cats develops gradually. Symptoms of this disease are increased urination and water intake (polyuria/polydipsia), vomiting, lethargy and weakness, mouth odour (gingivitis) and reduced appetite. Unfortunately, owners do not notice these symptoms until more than 75% of the kidney tissue is damaged. However, changes in the kidneys can also be detected earlier during an annual blood test. Such examinations are recommended for cats from the age of 8. The earlier the kidney disease is detected, the more successful and effective the therapy.

The consequence of chronic kidney damage is poisoning of the body because, among other things, the toxic substances can no longer be excreted. In addition, the kidney loses the ability to concentrate urine. The cat loses more water (increased urination) and slowly loses crucial water levels within the body (dehydration). The damage to the kidney tissue leads secondarily to high blood pressure, which in turn further destroys the still functional kidney tissue. The disease thus progresses further and further.

The diagnosis of this disease is made by a blood and urine test.

The aim of the therapy of chronic kidney disease is to stop the disease and to protect the still functioning kidney tissue in order to increase the cat’s life expectancy and quality of life. To achieve this, the cat’s diet must be permanently changed to a special kidney diet. If the cat does not accept the diet, the change must be made gradually. We will be happy to advise you on this. A kidney diet contains less protein than conventional food, but very valuable protein building blocks that the body cannot produce itself. It also has a reduced phosphate content. In addition, we recommend the administration of a phosphate binder via the food (e.g., Ipaketine), which is well tolerated by cats. For the treatment and control of hypertension and to reduce the excretion of proteins via the kidneys, the cat is given a blood pressure lowering drug (ACE inhibitor, plus amlodipine if necessary). If necessary, the cat receives infusions under the skin to compensate for fluid loss and to increase the cat’s well-being.

If you still have any questions, we will be happy to help and advise you.