Kidney Failure (Uremia) Symptoms in Cats (2024)

FAQs

What are the symptoms of end stage kidney failure in cats? ›

Symptoms of end stage kidney failure in cats include dull sunken eyes, inability to walk, body odour, incontinence in bladder or bowels, refusal to eat or drink, seizures, confusion, pacing and restlessness, withdrawing, hiding and running away.

Uncompensated kidney failure leads to uremia, a condition in which poisonous waste products accumulate in the body, and body fluids and electrolytes are not kept in balance. This is a serious and life-threatening condition, which may require intensive hospital care.

In cases of end-stage renal failure, there is typically no pain associated with the kidneys. The big concern in cats with kidney failure is quality of life, because rather than feeling pain, they may feel sick and have nausea and weakness due to the buildup of uremic toxins.

Functions of the kidney

A cat suffering from CKD is likely to be experiencing both physical and emotional pain due to the number of side effects associated with the disease; vomiting, dehydration and anorexia for example.

Their appetite no longer responds to appetite stimulants. Their weight seems to be melting away. They drink and urinate excessively (in the very end stages, they often stop drinking and urinating altogether). They may develop vomiting and diarrhea.

Symptoms of uremia

At the beginning of chronic kidney disease, you may not notice any symptoms. However, by the time uremia has started, your kidneys are very damaged. Uremia may cause you to have some of the following symptoms: extreme tiredness or fatigue.

Creatinine and BUN blood tests help your provider confirm a diagnosis of uremia. These tests check your blood for high levels of waste products. They also used to estimate your glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). This rate measures your kidney function.

Patients presenting with uremia typically complain of nausea, vomiting, fatigue, anorexia, weight loss, muscle cramps, pruritus, or changes in mental status. The clinical presentation of uremia can be explained by the metabolic disturbances associated with the condition.

Unfortunately, once the kidneys are damaged, they have very limited ability to recover. However, with proper management, most CRF cases progress very slowly. With treatment, your cat may have several years of good quality, active life ahead.

Do cats meow a lot with kidney disease? ›

Kidney disease can cause high blood pressure and, conceivably, excess vocalization. However, these cats usually have other symptoms that show up first, including increased water intake, increased urination and decreased appetite. Another possibility is hyperthyroidism.

Dietary modification is an important and proven aspect of CKD treatment. Studies suggest that therapeutic diets that are restricted in protein, phosphorus and sodium content and high in water-soluble vitamins, fiber, and antioxidant concentrations may prolong life and improve quality of life in cats with CKD.

The patient's kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter waste and extra water from the blood, creating a build-up within the body, which is terminal when left untreated. At this point, the patient needs dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Kidney disease is common in older cats and may cause your kitty to feel nauseated, which could lead to a refusal to eat. Other symptoms of kidney disease include drinking lots of water and urinating frequently.

Even when they do, the first signals of kidney disease in cats are easy to miss, including subtle weight loss, urinating/peeing more often and drinking more water. Therefore, if you notice your cat is peeing on the floor, soaking the litter box, or if your cat is always thirsty, it's time to visit your veterinarian.

Treatment for kidney disease in cats

Acute renal failure in cats (ARF) is potentially reversible if diagnosed early and treated aggressively. A cat with ARF will require admission into the veterinary hospital for intravenous fluid support to correct rehydration, flush out toxins and balance electrolytes.

If you've witnessed your cat's condition gradually decline, and the blood work is not improving, it's time to make a decision about euthanasia. Questions like, “How much suffering is too much?” will be on your mind. Because you know your cat best, you are the best judge of your cat's quality of life.

Uremia may also be painful. Uremia is reversible if treated quickly; however, permanent damage to the kidneys may occur. Kidney failure may also result from the underlying processes that cause uremia. Treatment for uremia frequently requires hospitalization.

The ultimate treatment for uremia is renal replacement therapy, which can be accomplished by hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or kidney transplantation.

What foods to avoid if urea is high? ›

Don't eat ham, bacon, sausage, hot dogs, lunch meats, chicken tenders or nuggets, or regular canned soup. Only eat reduced-sodium soups that don't have potassium chloride as an ingredient (check the food label.) Also, only eat 1 cup, not the whole can.

As per the United States Renal Data System report, expected survival for patients could vary from 8 years (for patients aged 40 to 44) to 4.5 years (patients between 60 to 64 years of age).

Uremia usually develops only after the creatinine clearance falls to less than 10 mL/min, although some patients may be symptomatic at higher clearance levels, especially if renal failure develops acutely. The syndrome may be heralded by the clinical onset of the following symptoms: Nausea. Vomiting.

Bacteria derived uremic toxins include indoxyl sulfate, hippuric acid, p-cresol, and 3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropionic acid.

Uremic syndrome can be defined as the terminal clinical manifestation of kidney failure (also called renal failure). It is the signs, symptoms and results from laboratory tests which result from inadequate excretory, regulatory, and endocrine function of the kidneys.

Blood urea levels can be lowered by consuming less protein and avoiding products that contain creatinine. Carrots and potatoes, for example, help to alkalize urine and lessen the effects of high blood urea levels. Cinnamon, lemon, red bell pepper, turmeric, and other healthy foods can also be used to lower the BUN.

Diuretics cause uremia and may lead to false diagnosis of chronic renal failure and nonrecovery of renal function. The patient may unnecessarily require prolonged dialysis.

As obligate carnivores, cats need species-appropriate proteins that are easily digestible. Proteins such as turkey and chicken are a safe choice for cats with kidney diseases.

High salt (sodium) diets may increase blood pressure and may worsen kidney damage, so diets designed for pets with kidney disease are low in sodium. You should also avoid feeding high salt treats such as cheese, bread, deli meat, and many commercial dog and cat treats.

Where does uremia come from? ›

Uremia is a dangerous medical condition that causes urea to accumulate in the blood. Urea is the waste that the kidneys usually help to filter away. Uremia is a symptom of kidney failure.

Uremia is reversible if treated quickly; however, permanent damage to the kidneys may occur. Kidney failure may also result from the underlying processes that cause uremia. Treatment for uremia frequently requires hospitalization.

Severe complications of untreated uremia include seizure, coma, cardiac arrest, and death. Spontaneous bleeding can occur with severe uremia and may include gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, spontaneous subdural hematomas, increased bleeding from any underlying disorder, or bleeding associated with trauma.

Uremic fetor is a urine-like odor on the breath of people with uremia. The odor occurs from the smell of ammonia, which is created in the saliva as a breakdown product of urea. Uremic fetor is usually associated with an unpleasant metallic taste (dysgeusia) and can be a symptom of chronic kidney disease.