Introduction
In most cases, by the time the cat is exhibiting CRF symptoms the kidneys have become severely affected. The most common diagnostic tools used to identify CRF, and assess the health of the kidneys, are blood tests, urinalysis, and ultrasound.
Diagnosing Chronic Renal Failure in Cats
Lab Tests
Blood tests and urinalysis can help identify CRF in cats at an early stage. This is why most veterinarians recommend a yearly screening blood and urinalysis test for cats 7 years and older. The two main items that are measured during the blood tests are blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine. BUN and creatinine are waste products that are eliminated by the kidneys. Elevated levels of these waste products both point to declining kidney function.
A urinalysis test is used not only to check for a urinary tract infection, but to measure the concentration of the urine. Cats that are in chronic renal failure begin to drink large amounts of water as the body attempts to flush waste products from the kidneys, and declining kidney function also affects the kidneys’ ability to concentrate urine. Highly dilute urine is another sign of chronic renal failure.
Ultra Sound
While most veterinarian clinics do not have ultrasound equipment, your veterinarian may recommend an ultrasound in order to obtain an in-depth look at the kidneys and how badly they have been affected by CRF. This procedure is non-invasive, and the results can give the veterinarian, and the pet owner, more information about the state of the cat’s kidneys.
Eliminate Other Causes
In addition to these key tests, a veterinarian will usually run a full blood panel to eliminate any other cause, such as diabetes or hyperthyroidism, of the blood tests and urinalysis results. The diagnosis of CRF is usually based on eliminating any other cause of the BUN/creatinine/urinalysis test results and considering what type of symptoms the cat is experiencing.