10 ways to spot Chronic Kidney Disease in your cat
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is when the kidneys gradually fail to work. This is often due to age (8+) but occasionally because something has harmed them such as an infection. Some breeds are more prone to kidney disease thank others such as Persian cats.
As the cat’s kidneys become damaged, they’re unable to filter and concentrate the urine. Water is more likely to pass out of the body and toxins that the kidneys normally remove, remain in the body causing a number of complications.
What to look out for:
- Peeing more frequently – urine is dilute as kidneys fail to retain water
- Drinking more to replenish the increased volume of urine
- Lethargic
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Unhappy and less playful
- Bad breath
- Poor coat condition
- Mouth ulcers
- Weight loss
If you notice any of the symptoms above, contact your vet; the earlier kidney disease is detected, the better the chance of slowing further damage.
Your vet will want to keep a close eye on this and may want to take a urine sample. The test will check if your cat’s urine is being concentrated and if protein is being lost in the urine; a sign that the kidneys are failing.
The vet may give you a kit to collect a urine sample. The best time to take a sample is first thing in the morning. Replace your normal litter with a non-absorbent litter, such as hydrophobic sand. Your cat can use their litter tray as normal and you can collect the urine easily using a pipette and container provided. Your vet will advise you. Ensure you take the sample back to your vet as soon as possible so the test can be more accurate.
Depending upon the results, your vet will advise you with the best course of action which may include a special diet and medication.