Cause of Kidney Disease in Cats
There are several different causes of kidney disease in cats. You can protect
your pet from some of them but others you don’t have any control over. Learning
about them though can help you to do what you can to protect your cat as well as
knowing when to contact your veterinarian.
Bacteria
Your cat may be exposed to many types of bacteria out there that can result in
adverse effects to their health. You may notice that your cat is eating less and
is losing weight. It may not be moving around like it used to or engaging in
usual behaviors. You may notice your cat starts to drink more water so you don’t
seem surprised when it is also urinating more frequently. Your veterinarian can
offer an antibiotic that will help to get rid of such bacteria in the body. Such
medication may be needed for 10 days up to 30 days to fully eliminate the
presence of it.
Dehydration
Dehydration is very serious and something you do need to keep a close eye on. If
your cat isn’t taking in enough fluids you should talk to your veterinarian.
Excessive vomiting and diarrhea can result in dehydration occurring as well.
When it gets severe your cat may need an IV in order to fully recover from it.
Heart Disease
Heart disease creates many problems for your cat. First, it doesn’t allow the
blood to circulate through the body like it should. As a result the kidneys will
be damaged because they don’t get enough of it. This shortage of blood supply to
the kidneys will result in toxins building up in the body as well.
Medications
While the medications your cat is taking are designed to help them with various
medical concerns there are side effects. Some of them can result in kidney
disease in felines. Such medications include those offered for high blood
pressure, inflammation, antibiotics, anesthetics, and those given to remove
parasites. Even aspirin can be a problem for some cats.
Parasites
Parasites can be very traumatic for the kidneys. They can come into contact with
your cat through living things or urine. If your cat is curious it may play with
frogs, fish, and earthworms. It may even consume them. You don’t want to feed
your cat any forms of raw fish or eggs either. These food products have been
linked to parasites forming in cats.
Toxins
Keep your cat away from all types of toxins. Don’t let them gain access to
antifreeze, pesticides, or herbicides. Make sure you carefully store and use
such products if necessary. If you believe your cat has consumed such products
you need to take immediate action. You need to induce vomiting which will allow
the stomach to be flushed out. You want to contact your veterinarian immediately
or you can risk the death of your beloved cat. Getting medical care right away
can give your cat the best chance of making a full recovery.
Tumors
Tumors can grow around the kidneys which means they can’t function like they
should. Your veterinarian will be able to explore the kidneys for you and to see
if they can be removed or not. Being able to detect them early on is going to
give your cat the best chance of survival. Surgery may be needed to remove them
or radiation needed in order to reduce the size and to prevent further growth of
them.