Today is World Kidney Day, so today's blog is about a very common problem we see in older cats- Chronic Kidney Disease. The kidneys' job is to filter waste products from the blood. In cats, the kidney function deteriorates slowly over time, eventually leading to Chronic Renal Failure.
The most common and often first noticed sign is increased thirst. You may notice that your cat starts drinking from more unusual places such as taps, sinks and water butts. If your cat uses a litter tray in the house, you may see her using the tray more frequently too. Other signs can include a reduced appetite, vomiting and general malaise. 
If your vet suspects kidney disease, they may suggest running a blood and urine test to confirm the diagnosis and also to check for any other problems such as an over-active thyroid or high blood pressure.
If your cat has been diagnosed with kidney failure there are many things we can do to help to slow the disease progression. The first thing we suggest is changing your cats diet to a special prescription food which helps support the kidneys. Medication can be used to treat secondary problems such as nausea and vomiting, high blood pressure, poor appetite and urine infections.
Unfortunately, signs of kidney disease in cats often don't occur until the disease is at a fairly advanced stage, so if you have any concerns about your cat's health please give as a call to arrange an appointment with one of our vets.
