Kidney disease, or chronic renal failure, is one of the most commonly-diagnosed illnesses in older cats. Chronic renal failure is degenerative and occurs as a result of natural wear and tear that the kidneys sustain over time. The goal of treatment is to slow the progression of this deterioration in the hope of extending the remainder of the cat's lifespan. If your cat has been diagnosed with kidney disease, efforts to prevent dehydration are an essential part of her treatment plan.
The Reason Behind the Symptoms
The three classic presenting symptoms in cats with chronic renal failure are:
- Drinking significantly more water, or polydipsia
- Passing significantly larger quantities of urine, or polyuria
- Decrease in appetite
The role of the kidneys is to filter toxic wastes from the blood and eliminate those wastes from the body through urination. As the kidneys degenerate over time, they lose their capacity to carry out these tasks efficiently. The kidneys must work much harder, prompting an increase in urine production in an attempt to eliminate the toxins. To make up for this loss of fluid, your cat's body responds by taking in more water.
Defining Dehydration
One of the effects of chronic renal failure that owners must be cognizant of is dehydration. Dehydration is the state that occurs when the body loses more fluid than it takes in. The fluid lost includes vital electrolytes, such as potassium and sodium, which are essential for cellular function. You can evaluate your cat's hydration status by pinching and pulling up on the skin at her shoulders and then releasing your grasp. If the skin immediately returns to its original position, then the cat is hydrated. If the skin remains standing up, or is tented in appearance, then the cat is dehydrated. Other signs of dehydration include lethargy and sticky gums. Dehydration is life threatening and requires immediate veterinary attention.
Early Stage Dehydration Prevention Efforts
When kidney disease is diagnosed in its early stage, home treatment includes feeding a prescription diet that is low in protein and encouraging the cat to drink as much water as possible. Some ways to achieve your cat's increase in water intake include:
- Feed canned variations of the prescription renal care diets, and stir a little additional water into the food.
- Fill extra water bowls to place in each location where the cat spends her time.
- If your cat enjoys drinking from a faucet, leave that faucet dripping enough to welcome her to drink.
- Provide your cat with an aerating water fountain dish. The flow or stream of the water as it circulates attracts cats to explore and entices them drink.
When Drinking More Water Is No Longer Enough
When your cat can no longer take in enough water to make up for the fluid that she is passing when she urinates, you will need to supplement her water intake with fluid therapy. Fluid therapy may need to be administered intravenously in a hospital setting if your cat is severely dehydrated. Once she is stabilized and discharged from the hospital, you will need to administer the fluids subcutaneously, or under her skin. While many owners balk at the idea, most cats tolerate subcutaneous fluid therapy quite well, and your veterinarian will instruct you in how to accomplish this task safely, effectively and with confidence.
As your cat's kidney disease advances, medications may need to be introduced into the treatment plan to stimulate your cat's appetite and to combat the secondary complications that result from the illness. Diligent efforts to hydrate your cat, periodic examinations and regular communication with your veterinarian can enable you to increase your cat's survival time.
For more information, contact Metropolitan Cat Hospital Limited or a similar location.
