Disorder - Renal disease

Organ Systems Involved
Urogenital

Alternative disorders described within LIDA

Polycystic kidney disease; Amyloidosis

Alternative Names
Kidney disease

Presenting Signs

In renal disease, the kidneys do not function normally. Cats are able to compensate if their kidney function is declining, thus appearing normal. Clinical signs are often not seen until 75 per cent of the kidneys are non-functional. At this point, signs such as excessive drinking and urination, lethargy, reduced appetite, weight loss, vomiting, poor hair coat, bad breath and mouth ulcers are commonly seen. Kittens with infantile polycystic kidney disease have distended abdomens due to the enlarged kidneys, and can die at a very young age.

Cats at Risk

Persian and Persian-cross kittens with infantile polycystic kidney disease are usually less than seven weeks of age when the disease is diagnosed. Persian and Persian-cross adult cats with polycystic kidney disease are usually three to ten years old when their disease becomes clinically apparent. Abyssinian cats with amyloidosis are typically three to six years old when clinical signs emerge. Amyloidosis in Abyssinian cats occurs more commonly in females than males.

Breeds Affected
Abyssinian
Persian


Treatment

For congenital kidney diseases in cats effective treatment is generally not available, and the underlying condition inevitably leads to progressive chronic kidney failure. Medical management of chronic kidney failure, such as special diets and/or fluid therapy can provide some relief of clinical signs. Renal transplantation may be an option for cats with polycystic kidney disease; however it is not widely available in Australia. Renal transplantation is not an option for cats with amyloidosis as the disease is likely to affect the grafted kidney.

PubMed References
Renal disease

Contributor
Gianna Zuch