Senior Pet Problem: Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in cats is a relatively common
but underdiagnosed problem affecting cats kidneys. It affects a large number of
cats, but often goes undiagnosed as many owners don’t realise what signs to
look out for.
The earliest signs we see of CKD is increased drinking and
urination. Cats have the ability to concentrate their urine more than almost
any other animal. When the kidneys start to fail, the ability to concentrate
the urine is reduced, so the volume of urine produced is much larger. This
leads to increased drinking to make up for the water lost in the urine.
As the CKD progresses, the kidneys can no longer remove the
“toxic” body products as they normally would. This creates a build-up of toxins
in the body which makes the cat feel unwell. This is where cats can get very
sick very quickly. As the toxins build-up, the cat feels unwell so is less
likely to drink. This makes the cat dehydrated, which in turn reduces blood
flow to the kidneys, leading to the problem getting worse.
CKD is normally diagnosed with a combination of a blood and
urine test. It is quick and simple to test for, and early diagnosis can make a
big difference.
Treatment can be with medicine, diet, or a combination of
these. Specially designed diets help prevent the build-up of toxins, and
medications can help improve blood flow to the kidneys.
If your cat is over 10 years of age, now is a great time to
have it checked out. With a $15 discount on Senior Pet consults this month, and
a discounted Senior Wellness Blood Test available throughout June, we can make
sure your cat is in great shape.
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