Take care of your kitty’s kidneys!

Older cats are more susceptible to kidney disease and hence should be regularly checked to avoid this dreadful disease.
Kidney disease can affect a feline at any age but is common among older cats. Kidney disease can either be Acute
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Renal Failure (ARF), a sudden onset, or Chronic Renal Failure (CRF), a progressive onset. CRF is more common in cats. There is no actual treatment for kidney disease but can only be controlled with proper treatment and diet.
The symptoms…
Two of the common symptoms include increase thirst (polydipsia) and increased urination (polyuria). The other symptoms are loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, weight loss, poor hair coat, depression, dehydration and emaciation. The cat may not exhibit all the symptoms. Kidney failure also leads to high blood pressure which may cause blindness in cats.
The diagnosis…
If your cat shows any of these symptoms, rush your feline friend to the vet immediately. By the time CRF is diagnosed , the cat may have lost 70 percent kidney functioning. Diagnosis of the disease can be made by performing clinical tests like blood test and urinalysis. Blood tests will determine the levels of creatinine and BUN (blood urea nitrogen) as well as other components of the blood. The creatinine level will be elevated if the kidney is not functioning.
Early detection can save her…
If your cat is aged five or older, it’s a good idea to check for CRF during each annual examination, with a blood test, urinalysis and blood pressure measurement. With early detection, proper diet, and hydration, cats may have a happy and a healthy life.