Joseph Bisignano DVM is a veterinarian at Metropolitan Animal Specialty Hospital (MASH) in Los Angeles, CA. Earning his DVM at the Western University of Health Sciences in 2010, Joseph Bisignano treats a variety of ailments in cats, especially renal failure – malfunctioning of the kidneys. Although it sometimes appears in young felines, one type of renal disease, chronic kidney failure, crops up most often in middle-aged and senior cats.
Drinking more water and urinating more frequently are common symptoms that may not seem like a problem, but frequent trips to the litter box could indicate that there is a problem with your cat’s kidneys. Other signs are weight loss, reduced appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and bad breath (smelling like ammonia). A visit to your general practitioner if any of these signs are present is recommended and some basic labwork (blood and urine) can be performed to check for kidney disease or other conditions that cause these signs.
No cure exists for chronic kidney failure, but with proper treatment, cats can maintain a good quality of life for several years, especially with early diagnosis. Medications and supplements can reduce the amount of filtration the kidneys need to do by reducing levels of phosphorus and protein. Other drugs can reduce nausea and vomiting.
As you should with all cats, be sure they always have water available. If you notice one or more symptoms of chronic kidney failure, take your cat to a veterinarian.
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