One of the most deadly diseases or conditions which afflicts felines is cat kidney disease. This condition is relatively common amongst older cats. As your cat ages, his kidney begins to lose nephrons, which are the functional cells that operate within the kidneys and help them to continue their filtration and detoxification processes. As this happens, toxins can begin to build up in the blood as kidney tissue begins to die.
There are a number of different stages of cat kidney disease, and they generally correspond to a difference in kidney function and overall health in your cat. The end stage of kidney function is the last and most severe of these stages.
End Stage of Kidney Disease
At the end of your pet's bout with kidney disease, he'll likely have lost a great deal of his kidney function. His body will no longer be able to adequately process the toxins that it typically would have been able to. Unfortunately, the prognosis at the end stage of kidney function is very poor; it is typically only a matter of stabilizing your cat's system to allow him to die in a peaceful and comfortable manner.
End stage kidney disease is represented with a few distinctive symptoms. In addition to the various other symptoms that will accompany decreased kidney function throughout the earlier stages of the disease (which may include vomiting, added urination, increased drinking of water, lethargy and more), watch out for these end stage kidney disease symptoms:
- Seizures
- Low body temperature
- Comatose state
- Severe lethargy and weakness
Managing End Stage Kidney Disease
By the time your pet has reached the end stages of kidney disease, there is very little to be done to remedy his situation or to improve his health. At the end stages of this condition, he is going through a process known as renal failure. This is a situation in which his kidneys are shutting down and will no longer work as they should. Throughout this entire process, it's best to monitor your cat closely for signs of his pain and discomfort. Many cats will experience increasingly violent seizures and may be very uncomfortable and unhappy.
It's a good idea to monitor your cat during the end stages of kidney disease so that you know when the best time to euthanize him will be. While this is an incredibly difficult decision to make, most pet owners and vets alike agree that it is preferable to allowing your pet to die as a result of kidney failure in general. The very last moments of kidney failure are quite unpleasant and may be very difficult to see. For this reason, many owners choose to have their pets euthanized before they reach this final stage of kidney failure.
For more information about managing kidney disease before it reaches this point, speak with your vet. Kidney disease, when detected early enough, is somewhat manageable; you can help to slow the degenerative process considerably.