Kidney disease is one of the most painful and difficult conditions for a pet cat to go through, and it can be very difficult for an owner to face this condition if their pet is going through it as well. Because of the vital importance of the kidneys to the general health of your cat, kidneys that fail to work properly will almost inevitably result in death.
However, it's possible to properly manage the symptoms of your cat's kidney disease and help to slow the progression of his illness if you take proper action and work quickly alongside a vet.
Kidney Disease Prognosis
At the time of your pet's kidney disease prognosis, he may have a few days to live, or he may continue to survive for several additional months or even years. This is dependent upon a wide range of factors. One of the most important has to do with how far along the kidney degeneration is.
Kidneys that have been severely damaged may not show symptoms of kidney disease outwardly until very late in the process. If you are only recognizing the disease at a late stage, it's unlikely that you'll be able to help prevent your cat's death for a very long time. However, pet owners who are active and take an aggressive approach to dealing with their pet's health may be able to recognize kidney disease earlier on and stand a better chance of managing it properly.
Managing Kidney Disease
There are a number of ways that you and your vet can work together to manage your cat's kidney disease. These involve a change in diet, which typically involves removing protein and phosphorous sources from the pet's food. It may also involve IV fluid injections to help regulate certain toxins and other chemicals in the blood. Many cats also benefit from potassium supplements to assist in the cleansing of the kidneys, as potassium becomes scarce in cats with kidney disease.
In order to properly manage kidney disease in your cat, you'll need to first be aware of the potential symptoms of this condition. By recognizing these symptoms, you'll have the best chance of helping to eliminate the symptoms and slow the progression of the condition. The following are some of the most commonly seen symptoms of kidney disease in cats:
- Pale gums, tongue, mouth, lips and nose
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Refusal to eat
- Loss of weight
- Extreme lethargy
- Seizures
- Comatose state
If you recognize any of these symptoms at all, take note of all of the symptoms that you have found and take your pet in to the veterinarian for an immediate examination. Because the disease may already be quite far along, it's imperative that you have your pet diagnosed by a professional as quickly as possible so that treatment may begin immediately.
For more information about feline kidney disease and how to best manage this condition, consult with your local vet with additional questions.