Chronic Renal Failure in Cats
Whilst Chronic Renal Failure can affect a cat at any age, it is most common amongst senior cats as the prevalence increases with age, with the average age being 9 years. Of all the different cat breeds, Abyssinians and Persians are believed to be the most susceptible.
Kidney Function
Chronic Renal Failure is a very serious condition that is evidenced by the gradual deterioration of a cat’s kidneys over a period of time.
Kidneys contain several thousand microscopic tubes that are shaped like funnels called nephrons. These funnels work to filter and then reabsorb all of the different fluids that help keep a cat’s body running smoothly. If one of these nephrons becomes damaged in any way, it stops functioning.
However, the kidneys can still function with only 25% of these nephrons working properly, because those that remain are capable of growing larger to accommodate for any nephron loss. But, when the remaining functioning nephrons drop below 25%, kidney failure is usually imminent.
If kidney failure does happen, it will create a ripple effect within the cat’s body; several bodily organs and functions will stop working as well. When a cat digests food, it produces waste products that are carried via the blood to the kidneys to be filtered and then eliminated from the body in the form of urine. But when the kidneys fail, they are not able to eradicate these excess waste products anymore. Eventually these toxins, such as urea and creatinine, will start to build up inside the cat’s blood, which is when the cat will usually start to show clinical signs of kidney disease.
Phosphorus, sodium and other components inside the cat’s blood may rise or fall rather abnormally. The cat’s urine may also be full of protein which the failing kidneys cannot handle. Other changes that occur as a direct result of Chronic Renal Failure are:
- Irregular filtration of the blood and retention of waste products
- Hormone and red blood cell production failure
- Disruption of fluids: electrolyte and acid-base balance
Causes
Nephron damage, and therefore eventually loss of kidney function, can occur as a result of antibiotics and prescription drugs, such as Metacam. Injury to the nephrons can even happen during surgery, or through infections, ingested toxins, decreased cardiac productivity which then results in decreased blood flow to the kidneys. It is also assumed to be part of the natural aging process of cats.
Treatment
Treatment for Chronic Renal Failure in cats varies according to the root cause of the problem. However, its progression heavily depends on how long the kidneys have had to overwork themselves to compensate for any damage to the nephrons; even working with 25%, a kidney can still function for quite a few years.
No matter which treatment option your veterinarian prefers, you can always compliment it by using a Tripsy. An all-natural herbal supplement that was developed by a naturopathic veterinarian, Tripsy can help fight kidney infections and is a great supplement for aging cats as well.
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