Chronic renal failure (CRF) is a progressive disease caused by a primary long-term insult to the kidneys which, over time, damages their ability to concentrate urine and remove nitrogenous wastes from circulation. Unfortunately, the clinical signs of chronic renal failure usually are not apparent until the cat’s kidneys are severely and irreversibly damaged.CRF in cats can present without overt clinical signs; this form usually is called renal “insufficiency” rather than renal “failure”. Unfortunately, once prolonged
Chronic renal failure in cats is a condition in which the kidneys begin to deteriorate over time. How badly a cat’s kidneys are affected by chronic renal failure depends on what caused the condition to develop and when the condition was diagnosed.There are a number of contributing factors which can result in chronic renal failure, but by far the number one cause of chronic renal failure in cats is age. The majority of these cases
Chronic renal failure (CRF) in cats results from long-term insult to the kidneys which, over time, damages their ability to adequately concentrate urine and remove nitrogenous wastes from circulation. CRF can be present without overt clinical signs; this form usually is called renal “insufficiency” rather than renal “failure”. Unfortunately, once prolonged clinical signs appear, the kidneys normally have lost most of their ability to filter the blood, excrete the end-products of body metabolism in the
Most cats suffering from chronic renal failure (CRF) that has progressed to the point that the cat is exhibiting obvious clinical signs are severely ill. The most common diagnostic tools used to identify CRF, and to assess the health of the kidneys, are comprehensive blood tests, urinalysis and abdominal ultrasound.Blood and urine tests can be used to detect CRF in cats at an early stage. Most veterinarians recommend that these tests be performed annually for
Chronic renal failure (CRF) can exist but be asymptomatic in cats for a very long time. Normally, by the time an owner notices the clinical signs of chronic renal failure and a diagnosis has been made, the condition is irreversible. Nevertheless, there are a number of supportive and management techniques that can delay progression of CRF and enhance the cat’s quality of life. Kidney transplantation is also increasingly available for cats.The goals of treating feline