Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
on the individual animal and the amount of nursing care an owner is
willing to do.The goals of treatment are:
•
Maintain hydration and electrolyte balance
•
Keep blood waste product levels down
•
Prevent anemia
•
Control secondary infections
Although veterinary diets with lower protein levels have been
developed for cats with kidney disease, the amount of protein in these
diets is controversial. Cats are carnivores, so when their physical condi-
tion is diminished, adequate protein is needed more than ever. On the
other hand, the breakdown products of protein metabolism become a
problem in cats with kidney disease.The dietary needs of cats with kid-
ney disease are significantly different from those with bladder disease, so
pick a diet with the help of your veterinarian.
Specific Treatments
Fluid therapy is the cornerstone of helping cats with kidney disease.
The fluids given to affected cats are balanced electrolyte solutions. Cats
who have high levels of waste products in their blood should initially
be treated with intravenous fluids (diuresis). They also may be given
diuretics to help flush waste products.
Diuresis is easily performed in most veterinary hospitals over sever-
al days of treatment. (This differs from hemodialysis, a common human
treatment. In hemodialysis, a machine removes the blood from the body
and cleans it when the kidneys are unable to do the job. This kind of
dialysis for animals is only available at a few specialty referral hospitals
and is most useful in cases of acute renal failure, where the kidneys are
likely to heal if given time.)
In cases of chronic kidney disease, owners can learn how to inject
fluids under the skin of their pets. This procedure, called subcutaneous
administration, can be done at home long term. In my clinic, we have
owners who have happily given their cats subcutaneous fluid injections
for years.
Maintaining proper levels of minerals in the blood is important in
controlling kidney disease. The two minerals that need to be closely
