There has been much in the news lately about pets suffering from kidney failure and even death caused by a poison in their food. How awful to think that you might be responsible for causing the death of your own pet dog or cat by feeding it, unknowingly, contaminated food. Lets hope that with all of the pet food that has been recalled there will be no more pets who are poisoned and killed needlessly.

I have not experienced or know of anyone who has experienced this tragic event. I have had several of my beloved cats, though, die from kidney failure, as recently as last summer. Sebastian was 18 years old and in fairly good health when last spring his appetite decreased and he started dropping pounds. A trip to the Vets revealed that he indeed had lost weight and was dehydrated. Some lab work was done and he spent a few days in the animal hospital to get rehydrated. The bad news came when the lab results came back - he was in severe kidney failure with only weeks, maybe a few months, to live. I was devastated. Sebastian was my best buddy. I loved all my cats, but Sebastian was special. He greeted me every morning and slept with me every night. He followed me everywhere he could. He was not afraid of anyone or anything. He acted more like a dog than he did a cat. He owned me as much as I owned him. He demanded my attention and devotion and he got it. He was just the BEST!

I brought Sebastian home from the animal hospital to live out his remaining days. With fluid therapy at home he seemed to be holding his own for a little while. But slowly he started to get weaker and weaker and in July he died, at home, in my arms. I still miss him and think about him every day. He is buried in a quiet shadey spot in my yard where I can view his grave from my window.

Kidney disease and kidney failure is the #1 cause of death among older cats.  It is seen about 3 times more frequently in cats than in dogs. I have lost several of my cats to this disease, all of them considered to be elderly in the feline world.

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that filter wastes from the body so that poisons do not build up. They also help to regulate electrolytes (sodium, potassium, calicum, etc.) and blood pressure, assist in the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow, and produce and concentrate urine. Inside the kidney there are 200,000 nephrons. When these nephrons begin to die waste products and electrolytes cannot be effectively processed any longer. Waste products accumulate in the body causing the body to be poisoned by the waste that the kidneys can no longer filter. As kidney function deteriorates problems with electrolyte imbalances, anemia, and blood pressure can also occur. The kidneys are amazing organs that can function normally with only 30-40% of the nephrons working. It is not until there is approximately 70% lost kidney function that signs and symptoms begin to be noticed.

The cause of kidney failure is usually not known, most of the time. In some cases it is known to be caused by congenital kidney disease such as Polycystic Kidney Disease. It can also be caused by acquired kidney disease such as Chronic Interstital Nephritis. Sometimes it is caused by toxins or poisons, like the poison that was found in the pet food. Most of the time the cause is not known. Some contributing factors are increased age, high blood pressure, low potassium levels, acidified diets, and dental disease. There is also some thought that feeding cats dry commerical food with perservatives and maybe even over-vaccination could be contributing factors.

Diagnosing the disease is done by testing the blood and the urine. An elevated Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and Creatinine indicates kidney failure, with creatinine being the most certain sign of kidney function loss. An urinalysis will show that urine is being poorly concentrated by the kidneys.

The most common signs & symptoms of kidney failure include increased thirst, excessive urination, loss of appetite, nausea & vomitting, weight loss, poor haircoat, and eventually emaciation. Other signs & symptoms might include licking the lips, drooling, dehydration, hunching over the water bowl, stomach irritation, constipation, muscle wasting, halitosis (ammonia smell), lethargy, eating the cat litter, weakness, depression, oral ulcers, detached retina of the eye, hypothermia (low body temperature), convulsions, and coma. There will eventually be electrolyte imbalances, acidosis, hypertension (high blood pressure), and anemia. The cat is not in pain, but feels sick, weak, and maybe discomfort.

There is NO cure for this disease - it is terminal. It can be managed for a time and with early and good care your pet can have maybe several more quality years with you. Treatment consists of diet, fluids, and medications. Your pet will need a low protein/ low salt/ low phosphorus diet that will help to decrease the amount of waste products that must be filtered by the kidneys out of the body. Fluids are given either subcutaneously (under the skin), which can be done at home, or intravenously (through a vein). These fluids help to keep the pet hydrated and help the kidneys flush the poisons out of the body. Medications that may be used are ACE inhibitors that help to dilate the blood vessels and increase blood flow to the kidneys so that they can do their filtering of waste products. They also help reduce protein loss through the kidneys. Kidney dialysis and kidney transplants are also possible treatment options.

The pain of loosing a treasured pet to this disease is hard to endure. Right now I have another elderly kitty (16 years old) who has been diagnosed with chronic kidney failure. She is receiving treatment with a prescription diet and SQ fluids, and is doing fairly well for now. In the future, I will consider feeding my cats only wet, natural, preservative-free cat food. Cats that eat only dry food are considered to be dehyrated, according to some veterinarians. Moist food helps to keep the cat's kidneys hydrated. In the wild, cats get their water from eating prey (that contain moisture) instead of drinking from standing water. I will also make sure my cats receive good dental care to prevent accumulation of bacteria in the mouth from traveling down to the kidneys and attacking them. Vaccinations will be given wisely after discussing their need with my Vet. I don't want to loose any more of my cats to this disease.