Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
swelling, fluid in their abdominal cavity, high levels of protein in their
urine, increased blood cholesterol levels, decreased blood albumin levels,
mild weight loss and loss of appetite.
Kidney infections are very serious, and are usually treated by giving
intravenous antibiotics. After initial treatment, oral antibiotics can be
used, but three to six weeks of medication may be needed. When
pyelonephritis is suspected, a urine culture and antibiotic sensitivity
should be started before treatment begins, and done again afterward as
follow-ups to treatment.
Breed-Specific Kidney Disease
Particular kidney diseases are seen in certain lines of purebred cats.The
two most common types are renal amyloidosis in Abyssinians and
Somalis, and polycystic kidney disease in Persians and Himalayans.
Genetic kidney diseases cannot be cured and are progressive.Treatment
focuses on keeping the cat comfortable and maintaining fluid and elec-
trolyte balance.
There is no screening test for renal amyloidosis, but it is suspected
in young to middle-aged purebred cats who develop kidney disease of
no other known cause. A kidney biopsy can be performed that may
show the particular protein deposits that are the characteristic lesions of
this disease.
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is found in purebred cats and in
related longhaired cats.This disease can be diagnosed by feeling lumpy,
bumpy kidneys on palpation and by seeing the cysts on ultrasound.The
presence of cysts will not necessarily cause significant kidney disease,
and some affected animals live normal lives. Others develop kidney
dysfunction at a young age as the cysts grow and destroy the normal
kidney tissue.
Old Cat Kidneys
The kidneys tend to wear out faster in cats than other organs. Chronic
tubulointerstitial nephritis is the medical term for the slowly progres-
sive loss of kidney function found in older cats. It is the most common
disease of cats over the age of 10 years.
As a cat ages, the kidneys scar and become smaller and less efficient
at filtering the blood and preserving water balance in the body. The
progression of chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis can vary depending
