What Is Feline CKD?
Feline CKD is a disease in which cats gradually lose their kidney functions. According to the findings of Greycoat Research, 68% of all cats over the age of 7 end up being diagnosed with feline CKD. There have even been instances of cats being diagnosed with CKD at ages as young as 2. This is because cats are genetically vulnerable to CKD, meaning that it is a question of when, and not if.
IRIS Staging of Feline CKD
Greycoat Research's Guide to Feline CKD Care
As kidney cells are (mostly) incapable of regenerating or recovering, damage done to the kidneys is generally permanent. Thus, cats with damaged kidneys must live with them forever.
Of course, proper and dedicated kidney management can lead to a temporary improvement in blood test results. But these results do not indicate actual regeneration or recovery. However, proper care can prevent kidneys from taking further generation, and keep them functioning at their current level, allowing cats to retain their energy levels.
Greycoat Research’s aim is to prevent damaged kidneys from taking even more damage, thereby preserving kidney functions so that afflicted cats can still enjoy a happier and more energetic quality of life.
*The supplements and care your cat needs may differ depending on their current stage of kidney disease and health conditions.
*As feline CKD continues to progress and worsen, each higher stage necessitates more careful management and the administration of more supplements. As symptoms of feline CKD only really become prominent once a cat is in Stage 2 of the disease, it is imperative that owners begin providing preemptive care even if their cats have yet to show any tangible symptoms of CKD.
Stage 3 Feline CKD
“It’s not too late for your cat! Make sure to manage their BUN levels with subcutaneous fluid therapy!”
A cat that has been diagnosed with stage 3 CKD is said to have a life expectancy of approximately 1 year.
Even so, that’s no reason to lose hope. Greycoat Research believes that active and dedicated care can increase the life expectancy of cats with stage 3 CKD while also allowing them to live just as heartily as a healthy cat would. These beliefs are backed by data from the cases of CKD that Greycoat Research has looked into.
However, stage 3 CKD comes with many complications, and owners must be more strict about providing care and checking the numbers.
So, What Can You Do?
Weight Management (Highest Priority)
Weight loss can greatly aggravate your cat’s activity and health levels, putting an extra burden on their kidneys. Keeping your cat within the proper weight range can help delay the progress of CKD and keep their condition from deteriorating.
Supplements
- AIM Dr. Toru Protocol helps your cats remove the accumulated waste in their kidneys, thereby reducing inflammation.
- Intensive Protocol helps keep your cat’s cells healthy and helps their kidney functions with its antioxidant effects.
- Probiotics Protocol reduces inflammation and helps improve your cat’s intestinal and kidney health.
- Omega-3 helps keep your cat’s kidneys healthy by improving blood flow and providing anti-inflammatory support.
- Kremezin, Renamezin, and Chitosan are taken to adsorb phosphorus and uremic toxins, which allows the body to remove and expel toxins from within.
Administering Greycoat Research’s supplements alongside other prescribed medications or supplements may result in a mutual interaction between their ingredients. As such, we advise owners to contact us for a free consultation so we can work with you to come up with the ideal feeding schedule for your cat.
Constipation Management
While phosphorus and uremic toxin binders/adsorbents can help your cat remove toxins from their body, they can also cause electrolyte imbalance, leading to constipation. Therefore, you should have medication to treat constipation ready at all times to administer when needed.
Subcutaneous Fluids
If your cat does not have any heart or lung-related issues, then subcutaneous fluids are highly recommended. Subcutaneous fluids can help your cat replenish their fluids, prevent dehydration, and expel uremic toxins.
The amount of fluids injected may differ depending on your cat’s condition. For most cats, 150 ml of Hartmann’s Solution or saline solution should be given in 3 instances of 50 ml over the course of the day. Please consult with your cat’s veterinarian and regularly check your cat’s condition before making the choice on the amount and type of solution you inject.
Forced Feeding and/or Appetite Stimulants
Cats with CKD often suffer from reduced appetite, and may be reluctant to eat, leading to weight loss. In order to counteract this, you may have to give your cat appetite stimulants or, in severe cases, force your cat to eat.
Limited Snacks and Mental Care
As standard cat snacks are high in protein, phosphorus, and sodium, they can be bad for your cat’s kidneys. As such, you need to limit how many snacks you give them. At the same time, snacks can help keep your cats mentally healthy and happy. As such, you should consult with your cat’s veterinarian to discuss how many snacks you can safely feed your cat, and adhere to these limits.
Manage Complications
Cats with stage 3 CKD begin to experience complications such as anemia, metabolic acidosis, and electrolyte imbalance. You should always be on the lookout for any complications so you can immediately provide the proper care as needed.
Stem Cells or Exosome Therapy
Stem call or exosome therapy can reduce your cat’s inflammation, help keep their cells healthy, and help delay the progress of CKD while maintaining a portion of their kidney functions.
Greycoat Research’s Guide to Stage 3 CKD Care
- Manage uremic toxins and electrolytes through proper subcutaneous fluid injections
- Health checkups
1) After the initial diagnosis of early stage 3 CKD, cats should receive checkups once every 2 weeks. After the care process has been stabilized, cats should receive blood tests once every 1 to 3 months to monitor the progress of the treatment and care.
2) After the initial diagnosis of late stage 3 CKD, cats should receive checkups once every week. After the care process has been stabilized, cats should receive blood tests once every month to monitor the progress of the treatment and care. Owners should also consult their cat’s veterinarians to determine a suitable checkup period for their cats.
* Please make sure your cat periodically receives basic checkups, such as blood tests. (In particular, blood tests should include SDMA, BUN, and creatinine levels for a more accurate analysis of your cat’s kidney functions. If possible, tests to confirm your cat’s systematic inflammation, such as SAA, should also be taken.)
