🐾 Kidney Disease in Cats
❓ What Is Kidney Disease?
🐾 A common condition in senior cats that may cause:
– Increased thirst and urination
– Weight loss
– Poor appetite, vomiting, and lethargy
🐾 The kidneys help:
– Filter waste from the blood
– Regulate hydration
– Balance electrolytes (like potassium, calcium, phosphorus)
– Signal red blood cell production
🐾 When the kidneys fail, toxins build up, dehydration sets in, and cats may become weak, anemic, or hypertensive.
💊 How Is It Managed?
🐾 Modern medications and dietary changes can improve quality of life and extend lifespan
🐾 Treatment depends on the stage of disease, diagnosed through blood work and blood pressure checks
🐾 All cats with kidney disease should be offered a meat-based canned diet
🐾 If canned food is refused, kidney support dry food or kitten food may be alternatives
🐾 We offer an herbal kidney support supplement for those seeking naturopathic options
📊 Stage-Based Recommendations
🐾 Stage 1: Early – less than 45% kidney function loss
- Often undetectable on routine exams
- Monitor with periodic blood work and blood pressure
🐾 Stage 2: Moderate – 45% or more kidney function loss
- Calcitriol twice weekly – helps regulate calcium/phosphorus
- Recheck kidney values and blood pressure every 3–6 months
🐾 Stage 3: Advanced – 75% or more kidney function loss
- Add Benazepril daily – supports kidney filtration and blood pressure
- Monitor every 3 months
🐾 Stage 4: Severe – 90% or more kidney function loss
- Add Mirtazapine as needed for appetite/nausea
- Subcutaneous fluids once or twice weekly to support hydration and flush waste
- Continued monitoring and medication adjustments as needed
📋 Ongoing Monitoring
🐾 Early-stage: blood work and blood pressure checks every 6 months
🐾 Advanced-stage: every 3 months or as advised
Have questions or concerns about your cat’s kidney health? We’re here to help.
📞 610-398-3556