The kidneys of your cat have a variety of functions. They filter waste products from the blood into the urine, manage the amounts of essential minerals in the body, maintain blood pressure and water balance, create specific hormones, and filter waste products from the blood into the urine. Waste products build up in the circulation when the kidneys aren’t performing correctly, and the body tries to compensate for the loss of other functions. When too much kidney function is lost, your pet indicates sickness.
Kidneys can be destroyed by chemicals (such as antifreeze), infection, or injury and stop operating unexpectedly. It’s more usual for senior cats to quit functioning over time progressively. A precise reason is often not discovered since it went undiscovered after the kidneys began to wear down.
Causes of Cat’s Kidney Disease
The indicators of disease in your cat are due to the kidneys’ inability to perform their various functions adequately. A brief explanation of the prevalent causes of renal disease is provided below. Your veterinarian’s tests will focus on these areas.
Infection of Kidney Tissues
One of the kidney disorders that may have a better prognosis is an infection of renal tissues with bacteria or, in rare cases, fungal species, so your veterinarian will be on the lookout for it. When it comes to pyelonephritis, a veterinarian’s objective is to eliminate the germs that cause destructive inflammation.
This should help you recover from acute kidney damage or slow down the advancement of any chronic kidney disease. A bacterial urine culture and susceptibility test can confirm the illness and determine the appropriate antibiotic. Visit your veterinarian to know good pet wellness plans.
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones can develop in cats for a variety of causes. The many factors eventually determine which sort of kidney and stone will develop. And the type of stone has an impact on the therapies that may be effective.
Small kidney stones in cats may show no symptoms at all. As a so-called “incidental” discovery, kidney stones might appear on abdomen x-rays collected for unrelated causes.
Your veterinarian may regularly monitor a kidney stone that permits normal urine flow but is left untreated. However, if the stone becomes very big, or if little fragments break off and lodge in the ureter, the discomfort will almost certainly increase. Look up “Vet dentist near me” for information on your pet’s oral health.
Kidney Blockage
Kidney stones can break apart and be transferred into the ureter, the long, thin tube that links each kidney to the urinary bladder and urine. They are likely unpleasant during transit, and the risk to the kidney if they become trapped in the ureter, creating a partial or total obstruction, is a significant issue.
New urine cannot easily escape the kidney and backs up, causing the kidneys to enlarge. The kidneys swell (hydronephrosis) and get injured when exposed to considerable pressure. It might be fatal if both ureters block at the same time.
Toxins
Antifreeze isn’t the only home ingredient that might hurt the kidneys. When cats nibble, lick, or chew true lilies’ petals, leaves, pollen, and the water in their vase, they can cause significant kidney damage.
Cats notorious for being picky about food and virtually everything else will still consume medicines found on the counter or the floor, so keep any medications in cat-proof containers. Always consult your veterinarian before using any drugs.
Hereditary
Familial renal disease is well-known in the Abyssinian and Persian breeds, and it’s also showing up in more upscale species. It produces irreversible structural alterations, but they may not cause sickness until later in life. Many laboratories provide polycystic kidney disease DNA testing, allowing responsible breeders to avoid breeding diseased cats. Consult your veterinarian about Dog Wellness Exams.
