Kidney disease is one of the most common problems for cats. Although this type of disease cannot be cured, there are many ways to slow its development, always following an early diagnosis. For this reason it is very important to know how to recognize the symptoms of kidney problems. If you recognize any of the symptoms listed in the first section of this article, it may be advisable to take your cat to the vet for more in-depth examinations, such as those described in the second section. Start from step one for more information.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Recognizing the Symptoms of Kidney Problems
Step 1. Pay attention to how much your cat drinks
Cats are able to store water for a long time and don't drink as often as other animals. Try to find out if you need to fill the water bowl more often than normal or if your cat is producing more urine. It could mean increased thirst, which could be a symptom of kidney problems. In case of problems of this type, the nephrons contained in your cat's body have greater difficulty in taking in the water present in the blood: the animal will tend to drink more to compensate.
- When a cat suffers from kidney problems, they lose more water when they urinate and consequently need to drink more to compensate. This is because the kidneys struggle to concentrate urine and retain water in the blood.
- Cats that consume wet foods need less water than cats that eat dry foods. They take in some of the water directly from wet food. This is one of the reasons why wet food is generally the best option if you suspect your cat has kidney problems.
Step 2. Notice if the cat is vomiting or has no interest in food
If the cat refuses to eat, it may be that they are trying to avoid stomach pain. Uremia is painful inflammation in the stomach that can be caused by a kidney problem. A cat suffering from uremia will most likely have a reduced appetite and may even vomit blood if ulcers have developed.
Uremia develops in part because the kidneys are no longer effective at removing toxins from the cat's blood
Step 3. Notice if the cat's fur looks dirty or smells bad
If your cat has sore gums or ulcers caused by kidney problems, it is very likely that they do not want to clean their fur. He may stop cleaning himself altogether. As a result, his fur may have a faded color or look dirty.
Step 4. Notice if the cat appears to be constantly lethargic
Most cats love to sleep. So, in this case, the important thing to note is whether your cat sleeps more than normal or seems to have no interest in the games they usually adore. If the cat seems to have no energy, it is possible that he has developed anemia or has low potassium levels due to kidney problems. The buildup of toxins could also make you feel sick.
- A diseased kidney can contribute to blood problems by ceasing to support the regeneration of blood cells in the cat's body, thereby becoming unable to store electrolytes such as potassium and eliminate toxins from the body.
- Another sign of anemia caused by a kidney problem is the color of the eyelids, which may turn pale or white, instead of having a healthy pink tint.
Part 2 of 3: Checks You Can Make At Home
Step 1. Run a test to see if your cat is dehydrated
A kidney disorder can lead to cat dehydration. You can perform this test by grabbing by the scruff and pulling lightly on the skin and then releasing it. If the skin does not immediately return to the starting position, it could be dehydrated.
Step 2. Interact with the cat to determine how it is doing
Sometimes it can be difficult to tell if she is simply resting or not feeling well. Try playing with him. If you notice that he is struggling, see if he raises his head or answers when you call him. If his gaze is dull or seems unable to interact with you, it could be a symptom of kidney disease.
- The cat's head is much heavier than the rest of the body and requires muscular effort to lift. Cats with a low potassium level tend to keep her hanging around.
- Keep in mind that this is a rather rare sign and that even if it is not present it does not mean that your cat does not have a kidney problem.
Step 3. Check the cat's mouth for ulcers
If your kidneys aren't filtering toxins from your body, ulcers could appear both inside your stomach and in your mouth and throat. Use both hands to gently hold his head and open his mouth slowly. Take a look inside and see if it has any red, irritated areas. The ulcers can be white or gray spots and can also appear on the gums and under the tongue.
You may also notice that his breath stinks from ulcers on his gums
Part 3 of 3: Veterinary Diagnosis
Step 1. Have your vet run a urine test
If your vet suspects your cat has kidney problems, they may ask you for a urine sample. This sample will be used to test for specific gravity (GS), a measure of the strength of urine.
- Along with the standard urinalysis, urinalysis strips can rule out other possible causes of thirst such as diabetes mellitus.
- An additional urine test to evaluate the protein to creatinine ratio helps to distinguish whether the cause of the diluted urine is kidney problems or other reasons, such as behavior-related thirst.
Step 2. Book blood tests to rule out other possibilities
Blood tests are very helpful in checking the progress of kidney disease. The liver has a large reserve capacity and the damage must be greater than 75% to be assessed by blood tests.
Using blood tests is to rule out other possible causes of increased thirst, such as infection, diabetes, or an overactive thyroid gland, as well as to monitor the progress of kidney disease
Step 3. Have your cat's blood pressure checked regularly by your vet
Cats with kidney disease tend to develop high blood pressure problems. Unfortunately, unless your cat's blood pressure is checked regularly by a vet, you may not be aware of this problem, so it is advisable to have her checked regularly.
Unfortunately, high blood pressure can lead to several rather serious side effects, such as sudden blindness and stroke. Fortunately, if your vet checks your cat's blood pressure consistently, he or she can prescribe medications that can keep it under control
Step 4. See your vet for a kidney biopsy
Kidney biopsies are done rather infrequently because they can have serious and dangerous side effects, such as blood clots and strokes. However, a biopsy is very important in case of suspected kidney cancer, because a definitive diagnosis can help to understand whether chemotherapy is an option to consider or not.
