Tanya's Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic Kidney Disease


		WHAT IS CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE? SECTION OVERVIEW
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		Home > What is CKD Overview Chronic kidney disease means chronic (ongoing) disease of the kidneys. It is sometimes referred to as renal disease ("renal" means relating to the kidneys) or chronic renal failure (CRF). 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? 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. 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. Whatever terminology is used, with appropriate treatments it may be possible to slow down this deterioration and keep your cat healthy and happy for quite some time. 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
		*** 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.