What do the kidneys do?

The kidneys perform several vital functions and are a major player in the body’s ‘homeostasis’ – maintenance of a steady state. They maintain the body’s water content, electrolyte balance, acidity and blood pressure, while also producing certain hormones, including one involved in red blood cell production, and removing toxins from the body. The kidneys have a considerable ‘reserve capacity’ meaning that CKD is often not identified until a 75% loss of function.

How is CKD diagnosed?

Your vet may have suspicions that your cat is suffering from CKD from what you tell them (the ‘history’) and from changes on the physical examination. At this point they are likely to suggest blood and urine tests. The main blood parameters that your vet will check are the by-products of metabolism normally excreted by the kidneys, namely urea and creatinine. These levels will increase in kidney disease as the kidney becomes less effective in excreting them. They will also be checking if your cat is anaemic (low red blood cells) plus phosphate and potassium levels. There is now a relatively new test available, SDMA, that can be an earlier indicator of reduced kidney function. Cats with CKD produce large volumes of very dilute urine and can be prone to urinary tract infections so a urine sample is often recommended to check urine concentration, for the presence of infection and for the presence of protein in the urine. Other tests may include checking your cat’s blood pressure as high blood pressure can be a cause and consequence of kidney disease.

Diet

The ideal diet to feed your cat consists of low amounts of good quality protein and a restricted amount of phosphate. The best way to do this is to feed a commercial renal diet. Adding antioxidants, essential fatty acids and potassium has been shown to protect the kidneys against further damage and keep your cat happier for longer. Cats with CKD often have a reduced appetite so make any changes gradually, warm the food if necessary. Contact your vet if they are not eating as progression can occur quickly in anorexic cats, your vet may offer medication to stimulate their appetite.

Dehydration

Cats with CKD produce a large amount of dilute urine and are very prone to becoming dehydrated, which in turn puts more strain on the kidneys. Maintaining a good fluid intake is vital; offer water in a variety of ways (different bowls, water fountain, flavoured etc) and try to feed wet food as much as possible. If struggling to maintain adequate water intake, your vet may suggest injecting fluid under your cat’s skin or even hospitalising them on an intravenous drip for a few days.

Medication

There are a number of medications that your vet can advise as to whether they are appropriate for your cat. These include blood pressure tablets, potassium supplements, phosphate binders, drugs to control nausea and stimulate appetite, plus drugs to improve blood flow to the kidneys and reduce protein loss in the urine in an attempt to slow disease progression.

In advanced cases of CKD, anaemia may be managed by injections of erythropoietin – the hormone that is normally produced by the kidneys to stimulate red blood cell production. Other potential options are anabolic steroids and gastroprotectants, as the increased levels of the body’s toxins can cause ulceration in the gastrointestinal tract – known as ‘uraemic gastritis’.

Chronic kidney disease inevitably progresses and unfortunately will eventually lead to the need for euthanasia. Hopefully by making some proactive changes to your cat’s diet and lifestyle you may be able to delay making that heartbreaking decision.