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WHAT IS CHRONIC KIDNEY
DISEASE? SECTION OVERVIEW
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HOME
Site Overview
Just Diagnosed? What You Need to Know
First

WHAT IS
CKD?
What Happens in
CKD
Causes of CKD
How Bad is It?
Is There Any
Hope?
Acute Kidney
Injury
KEY ISSUES:
PROLONGING LIFE
Phosphorus Control
Hypertension
(High
Blood Pressure)
Proteinuria
Anaemia
Potassium Imbalances
Pyelonephritis
(Kidney Infections) and Urinary Tract Infections
Metabolic Acidosis
Kidney Stones
KEY ISSUES: HELPING YOUR
CAT FEEL BETTER
Nausea, Vomiting,
Appetite Loss and Excess Stomach Acid
Maintaining Hydration
The B Vitamins (Including
Methylcobalamin)
Constipation
CAT FOOD DATA
Ways of Assessing Food Content, Including
What is Dry
Matter Analysis
How to Use the Food Data Tables
USA
Canned Food Data
USA
Dry Food Data
USA
Cat Food Brands:
Helpfulness Ratings
USA
Cat Food Brands:
Contact Details
SUPPORT
Coping with CKD
Tanya's Support Group
Success Stories
SYMPTOMS
Important: Crashing
Alphabetical List of Symptoms and Treatments
Fluid
and Urinary Imbalances (Dehydration, Overhydration and Urinary
Issues)
Waste Product Regulation Imbalances (Vomiting, Appetite Loss, Excess
Stomach Acid, Gastro-intestinal Problems, Mouth Ulcers Etc.)
Phosphorus and Calcium Imbalances
Miscellaneous Symptoms
(Pain, Hiding Etc.)
DIAGNOSIS:
WHAT DO ALL THE TEST RESULTS MEAN?
Early Detection
Blood Chemistry: Kidney Function, Potassium, Other Tests
(ALT, Amylase, (Cholesterol, Etc.)
Calcium, Phosphorus, Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) and Secondary
Hyperparathyroidism
Complete Blood Count (CBC):
Red and White Blood Cells: Anaemia and Infection
Urinalysis (Urine Tests)
Other Tests: Ultrasound, Biopsy, X-rays etc.
Renomegaly (Enlarged Kidneys)
Which
Tests to Have and Frequency of Testing
Factors that Affect Test Results
Normal Ranges
International and US Measuring Systems
TREATMENTS
Which Treatments are Essential
Fluid and Urinary Issues (Fluid Retention, Infections, Incontinence,
Proteinuria)
Waste Product Regulation
(Mouth Ulcers, GI Bleeding,
Antioxidants,
Adsorbents, Azodyl, Astro's CRF Oil)
Phosphorus, Calcium and
Secondary Hyperparathyroidism (Calcitriol)
Phosphorus Binders
Steroids,
Stem Cell Transplants and Kidney Transplants
Antibiotics and Painkillers
Holistic Treatments (Including Slippery Elm Bark)
ESAs (Aranesp, Epogen etc.) for Severe Anaemia
General Health Issues in a CKD Cat: Fleas, Arthritis, Dementia,
Vaccinations
Tips on
Medicating Your Cat
Obtaining Supplies Cheaply in the UK, USA and Canada
Working with Your Vet
and Recordkeeping
DIET & NUTRITION
Nutritional Requirements of CKD Cats
The B Vitamins (Including
Methylcobalamin)
What to Feed (and What to Avoid)
Persuading Your Cat to Eat
2007 Food Recall USA
FLUID THERAPY
Oral Fluids
Intravenous Fluids
Subcutaneous Fluids
Tips on Giving
Subcutaneous Fluids
How
to Give Subcutaneous Fluids with a Giving Set
How
to Give Subcutaneous Fluids with a Syringe
Subcutaneous Fluids - Winning Your Vet's Support
Dialysis
RELATED DISEASES
Heart Problems
Hyperthyroidism
Diabetes
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)
Pancreatitis
Dental Problems
Anaesthesia
OBTAINING SUPPLIES CHEAPLY
UK
USA
Online
USA
Local (Fluids)
Canada
SAYING GOODBYE
The
Final Hours
Other People's Losses
Coping with Your Loss
MISCELLANEOUS
Prevention
Feline CKD Research, Including
Participation Opportunities
CKD Research
in Other Species
Share This Site: A
Notice for Your Vet's Bulletin Board or Your Local Pet Shop
Canine Kidney
Disease
Other Illnesses (Cancer, Liver) and
Behavioural Problems
Diese Webseite auf Deutsch
SITEOWNER (HELEN)
My
Three CKD Cats: Tanya, Thomas and Ollie
Contact Me
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Home
>
What is CKD
Overview
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Chronic renal failure was the term previously used to refer to this
condition. The term is unfortunate,
because when they received the
diagnosis, many people would only hear the word "failure"
and presume death must be imminent; after all, if your kidneys have
failed, how can you survive?
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It makes more sense to focus
instead on the word "chronic": this means that the disease is an ongoing
one, with gradual deterioration taking place as kidney function fails,
which can actually take some time, even years in some cases.
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For this
reason, the academic literature now refers to "chronic renal disease"
(or occasionally "chronic
renal insufficiency"), because they think this more accurately reflects the
true situation. In 2012 I changed the name of this website accordingly.
This section contains the following pages:
What Happens in CKD
an explanation of how the kidneys work and what happens
to them in CKD. This includes an explanation of why you cannot normally
diagnose CKD until at least 66% of function has been lost
Go to
What Happens in CKD
Causes of CKD
This page discusses some of the possible causes of CKD in cats. In most
cases, however, the treatment will be the same whatever the cause.
Go to Causes
of CKD
Early Detection
It is impossible to detect CKD until around two thirds of kidney function
is already gone (so don't feel guilty for not noticing sooner. This page
discusses possible methods for vets to detect CKD earlier.
Go to
Early Detection
How Bad Is It?
A discussion on the various stages of CKD, including
the International Renal Interest Society's four stage staging system, and
how bad your cat's case might be.
Go to
How Bad Is It?
Is There Any Hope?
Discusses the various scenarios you may be facing and
whether there is any chance of saving your cat (in most cases, the answer
is yes).
Go to
Is There Any Hope?
Acute Kidney Injury
A discussion of acute kidney injury. This is usually
seen in cats exposed to toxins such as lilies or antifreeze, or who have a
blockage (e.g. kidney stones) or severe kidney infection. It may occasionally develop in addition to
CKD, a condition known as ACKD, most commonly in cats with a kidney
infection or a blockage.
Go to
Acute Kidney Injury

Back to Page Index
This page last updated: 03 June 2025
Links on this page last checked: 03 June 2025
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*****
TREATING YOUR CAT WITHOUT VETERINARY ADVICE CAN BE
EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.
I have
tried very hard to ensure that the information provided in this website is
accurate, but I am NOT a vet, just an ordinary person who has lived
through CKD with three cats. This website is for educational purposes
only, and is not intended to be used to diagnose or treat any cat. Before
trying any of the treatments described herein, you MUST consult a
qualified veterinarian and obtain professional advice on the correct
regimen for your cat and his or her particular requirements; and you
should only use any treatments described here with the full knowledge and
approval of your vet. No responsibility can be accepted.
If your cat
appears to be in pain or distress, do not waste time on the internet,
contact your vet immediately.
*****
Copyright ©
Tanya's Feline CKD Website 2000-2025. All rights reserved.
This site was
created using Microsoft software, and therefore it is best viewed in
Internet Explorer. I know it doesn't always display too well in other
browsers, but I'm not an IT expert so I'm afraid I don't know how to
change that. I would love it to display perfectly everywhere, but my focus
is on making the information available. When I get time, I'll try to
improve how it displays in other browsers.
This site is a labour of love, from which I do not make
a penny. Please do not steal from me by taking credit for my work.
If you wish to
link to this site, please feel free to do so. Please make it clear that
this is a link and not your own work. I would appreciate being informed of
your link.
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