There are some serious diseases that your cat can develop and kidney disease is one of them. That is why, as a pet owner, it is important to pay close attention to the first signs of this illness.
What is kidney disease?
Kidney (or renal) disease is a very serious and extremely common disease that affects the lives of our beloved furry friends. As you most probably know, just like in the case of human beings, kidneys play an essential role in maintaining the overall health: controlling the blood pressure, adjusting the bloodstream, excreting excess nitrogen and other metabolic waste, regulating water and electrolyte balance, producing important hormones, enzymes, red blood cells. If the kidneys aren’t capable of working full speed ahead, this can lead to life-threatening problems, including kidney failure.
Do you want to learn more about how kidney disease can affect your cat’s health? Contact MyOwnVet on 07 3277 6594 and our friendly team of vets and nurses today!
One of the most common cat diseases
According to a 2017 study conducted by the International Renal Interest Society, “the prevalence of CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) has been estimated to be 1.0-3.0% in cats, but it increases with age. It has been approximated that as many as 30-50% of cats 15 years of age or older have CKD”.
This is why performing regular monitoring is essential for our kitties, especially if they are a bit older (8+ years). Diagnostics carried out early in the disease progression can be decisive in saving our pets and giving them the chance for longer, happier life.
What are the signs of kidney disease in cats?
Apart from bringing our best friends for constant check-ups, what can we do to quickly identify any threat of kidney disease? Even if we’re talking about acute kidney disease or CKD, there are particular signs which can help us at least raise a question regarding our cats’ state of health:
- Subtle weight loss
- Increase in urine production
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Increased thirst & water consumption
In general, you may notice that your cat is perhaps sleeping more, grooming less, maybe appearing shabby. Also, anaemia signs can also occur, which you can see in your kitty’s gums if they are not as pink as usual. In more severe cases, you may observe an unusual bad breath, associated with oral ulcers.
Any of these signs is a red flag that needs to be taken care of immediately.
How do we detect kidney disease in cats?
Once you bring your cat to MyOwnVet, we perform a thorough physical examination. Of course, it always helps if your kitty has already been to us for routine exams, since past examinations can be an important baseline for comparison. We prefer keeping track of every patient, with as much detail as possible.
At an initial abdominal palpation, we can detect irregular size and shape of the kidneys, renal asymmetry, kidney pain and more.
We also pay attention to: low body temperature, poor body condition, dry gums showing dehydration, oral ulcers, pale gums, evidence of ocular haemorrhage associated with hypertension.
Other tests we perform in order to establish a correct diagnostic may include:
- a complete blood count (CBC)
- chemistry profile with electrolytes
- urinalysis with sediment exam
- radiography (X-rays) and ultrasound
- blood pressure measurement
- thyroid testing
- kidney Sampling
At MyOwnVet, we take things very seriously when it comes to kidney disease and any kind of threat which can be dangerous for your furry friend.
That is why bringing your cat to regular exams and learning to read the signs of any health danger is of utmost importance for your pet’s health. Imagine how much you can do for your pet if you’re aware of all dangers!
At MyOwnVet, we are more than ready to share with you our best practices in kidney disease prevention. Book your pet a screening now or call our office at 07 3277 6594 and our caring staff will schedule your pet’s next exam!
Until next time, remember the greatest wealth is health!
Your friend and vet expert,
MyOwnVet
