Cat Kidney Failure Symptoms

December 15, 2009 | By andrew In Animals |

Are you worrying that your cat has a urinary or kidney problem? After you finish this article you’ll understand what tests are run for cats in kidney failure. The key to lengthening your cat’s life is to contact your vet as soon as possible to have a a series of diagnostic tests run. Your veterinarian will perform blood and urine tests to check for key symptoms for a cat experiencing chronic kidney failure.

There are terms used to convey the condition for cats in kidney failure. Acute kidney (or renal) failure in your cat is means complete organ failure where the kidneys stop working. Acute renal failure in cats happens quickly without much warning. It can affect both young and old cats.This type of kidney disease is almost always fatal but if treated immediately and aggressively, the kidneys may regain normal functions and your cat may live a longer life.

The other phrase you may hear is chronic kidney failure. This is the most common disease and is usually experienced by an aging cat. As cats age their major organs have weakened, including their kidneys. Sadly, by the time you notice the symptoms for cats in kidney failure about 70% of your cat’s kidney functions are already in trouble. Chronic kidney failure is a progressive disease and eventually your cat will die from it. However, the earlier the disease is discovered the longer you can keep your cat comfortable for months or even years.

Your vet will palpitate the kidney area and check for small, shriveled kidneys. He may take x-rays or an ultrasound. The most dependable diagnosis comes from the blood and urine tests taken from your cat.

Blood Tests

A blood test evaluates the BUN level of your cat’s blood. No, this isn’t a level of yeast but BUN stands for the Blood Urea Nitrogen level which is a chemical that the liver makes from ammonia. After production, BUN is excreted into the kidneys, which increases in some diseases especially for cats in kidney failure. The test also is a marker for dehydration in your cat or even a urethral obstruction like bladder stones.

Blood tests also show the level of creatinine in your cat’s blood. Creatinine is the breakdown product of muscle and normally is excreted by the kidneys. If your cat’s creatinine level is abnormal it helps confirm that your cat’s elevated BUN level was caused by kidney failure.

Urine Tests

When evaluating your cat’s urine, the veterinarian will check for signs of infection, the concentration, and any losses of proteins. When a healthy cat is dehydrated the proteins show at a concentrated level. For cats in kidney failure, this protein concentration is not there which is key to determining if your cat’s kidneys are functioning properly or not.

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