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 4 Feline CKD
“It’s not just about the kidneys anymore. Inflammation, anemia, electrolytes, heart, and lungs… everything matters.”
At stage 4 CKD, less than 10% of a cat’s kidney functions remain. Once a cat has been diagnosed with stage 4 CKD, they are given at most 30 days to live. This is a very tumultuous period of time for both cats and their owners. However, with proper care, you can at least ensure your cat enjoys their remaining time in the best and happiest condition possible.
Subcutaneous Fluids & Wet Renal Diet
At this stage of CKD, cats are prone to losing an excessive amount of fluids through urination, leading to dehydration. Subcutaneous fluid injection and a wet renal diet can help prevent dehydration and restore the balance of fluids in the cat’s body, reducing the strain on their kidneys. However, as cats may be unwilling to eat renal food, forced feeding may be necessary.
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 must 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.
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. If your cat’s constipation lasts for over 48 hours, you must immediately take steps to resolve it, such as by contacting your veterinarian.
Manage Complications
Cats with stage 4 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.
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.
Greycoat Research’s Guide to Stage 4 CKD Care
Once a cat reaches stage 4 CKD, they suffer from a wide and rapidly expanding list of symptoms and complications. At this point, owners are advised to follow the general guidelines listed in the guide to stage 3 CKD care and focus on improving their cat’s quality of life while minimizing their cat’s pain. Of course, this should be done under a trusted veterinarian’s advice and supervision.
Due to the various complications arising from stage 4 CKD, your cat’s condition may fluctuate wildly. As such, it is imperative that you keenly monitor any changes in their condition and adjust your care protocol accordingly.
The stress of the disease and the treatment process can be taxing on your cat’s mental health. Therefore, we at Greycoat Research advise owners to ensure that their cats can have some time for mental relief, so they can enjoy their remaining time in peace.