Causes and Symptoms of Feline Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Feline CKD is an incurable disease characterized by persistent loss of kidney function caused by various mechanisms. CKD is a progressive disease that will eventually lead to multiple organ failure, death or euthanasia. CKD can occur in cats of any age but is more prevalent in older cats. It is said that around one in three cats over the age of 10 suffer from this disease.

A final, common pathway in chronic kidney disease is fibrosis, the formation of internal scar tissue, which can cause devastating effects. Fibrosis is caused by a variety of factors inside the kidney, including lack of blood flow, lack of oxygen and inflammation that has persisted over a long period. As more and more parts of the kidney become fibrotic, the kidney loses its function and becomes stiff and small. While it is not possible to reverse kidney damage, it is possible to slow down the progress. That is why early detection of the disease is crucial.

By the time these common symptoms of CKD appear, it is said that more than 75% of the kidney function has been lost.
It is important to pay attention to your cat's behavior and health to catch any warning signs of CKD. Early detection is crucial in managing kidney disease and improving your cat's quality of life.

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  Increased urination

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  Increased water intake

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  Poor hair quality

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  Loss of skin elasticity

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  Decreased appetite

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  Vomiting

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  Bad breath

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  Diarrhea or constipation

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  Loss of weight

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  Increased sleep

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  Feeling of tiredness

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  Pale mucous membrane

  (gum, back of eyelid)

A variety of factors may contribute to onset of CKD, including age, dehydration, diseases, diets that contain abundant phosphorus (e.g., seafood and meat), and vaccination.
In most cases, however, it is very difficult to determine the exact cause of CKD in each patient.

• Aging
• Dehydration
• Other diseases
• High-phosphorous diet
• Annual vaccination