Chronic renal insufficiency – one of the deadliest diseases in cats.
Emergence
How does chronic renal insufficiency occur in a cat? To better understand this, one must know about the anatomy of the cat. The kidneys of the cats lie surrounded by a fat capsule in the lateral area of the spine, i.e. in the lumbar area. The kidneys work highly effectively when they are healthy. Toxins and other substances are filtered in the kidneys. In addition, the kidneys in the cat also control the hormones and they regulate the acid-base balance. If there are problems in this organ, the cat can very quickly endanger its life. In renal insufficiency, the nephrons are damaged, irretrievably. Nephrons are the actual “filtering device” of the kidneys. This often happens unnoticed. This means that we as cat owners do not get it at all if the cat suffers from CNI.
Symptoms
Fatally, in most cases, this disease of the kidneys in the cat is not noticed until the animal already shows first symptoms. These include:
- Loss of appetite, i.e. also a lack of food
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Unrest
- frequent urge to urinate or incontinence
- Bad breath
- rough fur
- Vomiting
In the course of the disease, the kidneys become infine, as well as the intermediate tissue. This is associated with creeping poisoning of the body. Since the first symptoms of chronic renal insufficiency in cats are very non-specific, treatment often starts quite late.
For this reason, when we see that our cat is no longer running, no longer climbing or jumping, or even not finding the way to the cat’s cloister in time, we should think about the color of the urine. If this smells different in color or differently than usual, something is wrong with the cat. The reason for the other color or the smell of the urine may be that the urine contains blood or pus stains.
If the cat then screams during a short scan of the kidneys, one should immediately take the cat to the veterinarian. It is then probable that there is a CNI. Because in the first already “visible” or noticeable symptoms, renal insufficiency does not occur in the first place. In this case, the organs are usually highly damaged. In extreme cases, three-quarters of the original functionality of the kidneys may already be lost.
Causes
The trigger for such severe kidney damage in cats can be, among other things, a genetic predisposition. However, too high blood pressure or infection can also be used as a cause. In addition, damage to the kidneys can also occur due to the intake of toxic substances. The trigger can also be age.
Diagnosis
In the end, only the veterinarian can determine whether chronic renal insufficiency in cats really exists. For reliable diagnosis, it conducts a series of clinical tests. The urine examination is carried out to see whether the ability of the urinary concentration may be reduced. If this is the case, there is a disturbance of the excretion of the urinary and toxic substances.
Blood tests include the values for creatinine and blood urine nitrogen (BUN). Increased creatinine levels are considered to be the safest sign of a loss of kidney function in cats. The veterinarian may also measure blood pressure in the cat to determine whether there is high blood pressure.
Therapeutic
In the treatment of CNI in cats, dietary change plays a major role in the treatment of a CNI. However, homeopathic therapy – called SUC – is also often used.
Diet food
In the case of renal insufficiency diagnosed by the veterinarian, a dietary change is very important. This requires Kidney Diet Feed. These foods are available in different flavors. In this way, the cat is also given variety in the food. The kidney diet food is available as wet food and dry food. This food contains all the vital minerals and trace elements that a kidney-stricken cat needs.
It is a fine dry and wet food with a reduced protein and phosphorus content. Instead of cereals, the feed contains potatoes that serve as a source of carbohydrates. The kidney diet food products also contain less table salt than normal cat food.
In addition, a phosphate binder should be given. This phosphate binder is often recommended by the veterinarian if blood levels do not improve after some time. A 2011 scientific study showed that a combination of kidney diet and phosphate binder further improves a cat’s life expectancy. These preparations contain additional active ingredients, which are able to bind uremic substances and can counteract an acidification and a potassium deficiency.
At the beginning of the disease, however, one should rather feed a very high-quality cat food with easily digestible protein. To relieve the kidneys, one also gives a Phosphate binder. Instead of an industrially produced cat food, you can also feed your cat according to BARF. Of course, a phosphate binder must also be added here. Only in the further course of the disease you have to change the diet as described above. At the latest when renal function deteriorates.
SUC therapy
In addition to the kidney diet via the diet, homeopathic treatment can delay or slow down the disease. In contrast to classical homeopathy, SUC therapy does not use individual agents in various potencies for treatment.
This therapy is carried out via injections of fluids. We can also continue this therapy at home later on. This is done by mixing the liquids into the feed. These liquids consist of a combination of three complex agents:
A mixing syringe from the three complexagents contains 6.6 millilitres of liquid. As a rule, the veterinarian administers two injections of this mixture during the first two weeks of treatment. Between the first and second injections, the exact dosage is determined by the veterinarian via a urinary control. This provision is done individually.
A cure or regeneration of the kidney tissue cannot be achieved with this therapy, but kidney function can be supported in the long term. The effect of therapy is only effective if a supportive kidney diet is also carried out in parallel.
There is no need to worry about the fact that the cat does not accept the SUC. The SUC tastes neutral, but also slightly salty. If the cat should react suspiciously, because the food appears to be slightly mixed, the agent can also be added directly from the syringe into the mouth.
Sufficient drinking
Although we cannot tell our cat that it is important to drink a lot, especially with this kidney disease. But we can make the abundant and regular drinking of the cat so to speak tasty. And that’s by setting up a cat drinking fountain.
Forecast
Chronic renal insufficiency in cats is a common disease, especially in old cats. Young animals rarely fall ill. Breeds such as Russian Blue, Burma Cats, Siamese Cats and Maine Coon as well as Abyssinians have a breed-typical predisposition for kidney problems.
As with all diseases, if the disease is detected at an early stage – ideally before the onset of symptoms – the disease is well treatable. However, the disease of the kidneys is not curable.
But even in these cases, it is very important that the diet is strictly adhered to. In addition, the health status of the cat must be regularly monitored by the veterinarian. Even if the cat is already older, it can still reach a stately age with this condition.
In older cats, however, kidney disease is considered one of the most common causes of death. So that we can enjoy a great life with our Stubentiger for as long as possible, we should visit the vet twice a year and have a kidney check with blood count done. In this way, problems such as renal insufficiency can be detected at an early stage. The veterinarian can then propose appropriate therapy and prevent severe organ damage.
Letzte Aktualisierung am 2021-01-12 / Affiliate Links / Bilder von der Amazon Product Advertising API