Introduction
Kidney disorders in cats can occur due to a variety of causes. Some cats develop kidney disorders that they genetically inherited, and other cats develop kidney disorders as a result of an underlying medical condition or disease. In other cases, cats can develop kidney disorders due to exposure to poisons, or as a result of aging. There are a number of kidney disorders that can occur in cats, and these disorders may lead to acute or chronic kidney disease.
Types of Feline Kidney Disorders
Polycystic renal disease
Polycystic renal disease is one type of kidney disorder in cats that is genetically inherited. Persians, and long-haired cats related to Persians, can carry and pass on this disease. The disease itself can either affect one or both of the kidneys, and the disease causes damaging cysts to develop on the kidneys. This type of disorder normally causes chronic kidney disease in which the kidneys are slowly damaged over a long period of time. Lifetime medical treatments are needed to manage this disorder.
Pyelonephritis
Pyelonephritis is a type of kidney disorder which causes the tissues in the kidneys to become inflamed due to a bacterial infection. This type of kidney disorder in cats does not occur often, and it may be difficult to diagnose. If it is not treated in a timely manner, permanent damage to the kidneys can occur. Fortunately, if it is diagnosed in time, pyelonephritis can be successfully and permanently treated with antibiotics.
Causes of Kidney Disease
Underlying medical conditions such as diabetes and feline infectious peritonitis can also cause kidney disorders to develop. Diseases that affect the kidneys can lead to either long term chronic kidney disorders or sudden and severe acute kidney disorders. These types of disorders can be managed as long as the underlying medical condition is being addressed.
Acute kidney disorders can occur if a cat ingests a poison, such as antifreeze, or if the cat has suffered from kidney trauma due to an injury or accident. In these instances, aggressive treatments must be administered immediately to prevent permanent kidney damage from occurring.