Chronic Renal (Kidney) Failure in Cats

Chronic Renal (Kidney) Failure in Cats

By: Dr. Debra Primovic

Section: Information In-depth

Other medical problems can lead to symptoms similar to those encountered in CRF. Laboratory testing (blood work and urinalysis testing) will often diagnose CRF. Further diagnostic testing may be needed to determine the underlying cause.

Diseases that can appear similar to those with CRF include:

  • Acromegaly (abnormal enlargement of of the extremities of the skeleton due to overgrowth of connective tissue)

  • Acute Renal (Kidney) Failure (sudden onset of kidney failure)

  • Diabetes Mellitus(malfunction of the pancreas, whose function is the production and release of insulin)

  • Diuretic phase of acute renal failure (ARF)

  • Drugs (diuretics, corticosteroids)

  • Excessive parenteral fluid administration

  • Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's Syndrome)

  • Hypercalcemia (High blood calcium)

  • Hyperthyroidism
    (excessive functional activity of the thyroid gland)

  • Hypokalemia (low blood potassium)

  • Liver disease

  • Multiple myeloma (cancer)

  • Nephrogenic (producing kidney tissue) diabetes insipidus (a metabolic disorder, which results in a deficient quantity of the hormone ADH being released or produced, resulting in failure of reabsorption of water in the kidney

  • Partial Urinary tract obstruction

  • Polycythemia (an increase in the circulating red blood cell mass)

  • Post-obstructive diuresis (an increased excretion of the urine due to the diuretic effect of urea and electrolytes retained during the period of obstruction)

  • Primary hyperparathyroidism (abnormally increased activity of the parathyroid gland)

  • Psychogenic polydipsia (excessive drinking caused by psychological causes, such as boredom)

  • Pyelonephritis (inflammation of the kidney and renal pelvis)

  • Pyometra (infection of the uterus)

  • Renal glucosuria (the presence of sugar in the urine)

  • Renal medullary (central or inner portion of an organ) washout of solute

  • Salt administration

    Causes

  • Chronic interstitial nephritis of unknown cause (most common)

  • Renal (Kidney) AmyloidosisAmyloidosis (familial in Abyssinian cats)

  • Chronic glomerulonephritis

  • Chronic obstructive uropathy (hydronephrosis)

  • Chronic Pyelonephritis

  • Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is an inflammation of the membrane lining the the walls of the abdominal and pelvic cavities.

  • Acute renal failure

  • Cancer (kidney lymphoma)

  • Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) (familiar in Persian cats)

     
    Printable Version
     
    Have a Pet Question?
    Send Your Pet Question to Dr. Jon
    and His Staff of Veterinarians Ask Dr. Jon
    Dr. Jon's Newsletter
    Yes! Send Me the Latest Health Information, Pet Tips, Pet Stories and more...
     
     

    Related Articles

    • 1 Acute Renal (Kidney) Failure in Cats

      The kidneys filter blood, remove the waste products of metabolism, and eliminate them in the urine. Acute kidney failure (acute renal failure or ARF) is characterized by an abrupt decline in kidney function...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2 Glomerulonephritis in Cats

      The kidneys consist of many thousand microscopic filtering units called glomeruli that filter water and small substances from the bloodstream. Glomerulonephritis is inflammation of these microscopic filtering...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 3 Urinary Incontinence

      Urinary incontinence is the loss of voluntary control of urination and may be confused with inappropriate urination, which is a behavioral problem. Diagnostic tests may be needed to distinguish between...

      Read MoreRead More
    • Related Articles
    • 1Acute Renal (Kidney) Failure in Cats

      The kidneys filter blood, remove the waste products of metabolism, and eliminate them in the urine. Acute kidney failure (acute renal failure or ARF) is characterized by an abrupt decline in kidney function...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2Glomerulonephritis in Cats

      The kidneys consist of many thousand microscopic filtering units called glomeruli that filter water and small substances from the bloodstream. Glomerulonephritis is inflammation of these microscopic filtering...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 3Urinary Incontinence

      Urinary incontinence is the loss of voluntary control of urination and may be confused with inappropriate urination, which is a behavioral problem. Diagnostic tests may be needed to distinguish between...

      Read MoreRead More
     

    Over 10,000 Veterinarian Approved Articles

    Dogs & Puppies
    Cats
    Related Articles
    • 1Acute Renal (Kidney) Failure in Cats

      The kidneys filter blood, remove the waste products of metabolism, and eliminate them in the urine. Acute kidney failure (acute renal failure or ARF) is characterized by an abrupt decline in kidney function...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2Glomerulonephritis in Cats

      The kidneys consist of many thousand microscopic filtering units called glomeruli that filter water and small substances from the bloodstream. Glomerulonephritis is inflammation of these microscopic filtering...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 3Urinary Incontinence

      Urinary incontinence is the loss of voluntary control of urination and may be confused with inappropriate urination, which is a behavioral problem. Diagnostic tests may be needed to distinguish between...

      Read MoreRead More