Chronic kidney failure, meaning loss of function of the kidneys that is slowly progressive, is one of the most common diseases of aging that we see in cats. There is no cure for it, but when we recognize the disease earlier, we can make changes in how we take care of the cat that increase its lifespan and quality of life in general.
Read on to discover some ways you can recognize developing problems in your cat’s kidneys at home.
Biography
As a small animal veterinarian, I've done everything from working in a busy dog and cat practice, to doing volunteer work in Mexico, to teaching veterinary students about how to better communicate with the humans that their patients come with. I've also written over 250 articles that help pet parents understand diseases of companion animals.
I'm a 2007 graduate of Colorado State University, and a licensed practitioner and veterinary acupuncturist in the state of Colorado. After seven years in a busy small animal practice north of Denver, my husband and I took our son, our dogs (Pancake and Gizmo), and our cats (Sneaky and Sidh) and moved to the mountains of Mexico for two years.
My biggest professional joy, besides fixing sick animals and taking care of well ones, is helping pet owners better understand how to optimally care for their dogs and cats.
Articles Written by Christie Long, DVM
Diarrhea in cats is a frustrating problems for owners, veterinarians, and certainly for cats, although they can’t tell us directly how they feel about it. Usually in cases of chronic diarrhea (symptoms lasting more than a week) the cat usually seems to be feeling pretty well, but if left undiagnosed and untreated over time the patient can lose weight and start to show signs of general illness, like lethargy, poor haircoat, and dehydration.
These problems are due to the effects of reduced nutrient absorption over time. Whatever the inciting agent, nutrients and water aren’t absorbed into the body, and the food that’s ingested makes its way through the intestines much faster than it should, resulting in soft stool.
It can be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of chronic diarrhea in cats. If the diarrhea doesn’t resolve on its own (or perhaps with the addition of a little dietary fiber, like canned pumpkin) in a few days, the cat needs to see a veterinarian for an examination and testing to determine what’s going on. Here’s more information about the possible causes of diarrhea in cats, and what we do about them.
Fleas are despicable little creatures. But if you need specific reasons why you should protect your cat from fleas, here are five great ones.
Anemia is a common problem in cats of all ages. Find out the causes and the treatments so that you can help your anemic cat.
What are your cat's eye problems telling you? Learn about cat eye discharge as a symptom, anisocoria in cats and age-related illnesses such as iridial atrophy.
Questions Answered by Christie Long, DVM
