The kidneys may be affected by several disorders.
It corresponds to a significant, sudden decrease or total shutdown of kidney functions. The origin of the failure can be broken down into three categories.
1. Pre-renal, such as hemorrhagic shock, digestive disorders, burns, or heart failure;
2. Renal, including acute nephritis, infection, or toxins;
3. Post-renal, such as obstruction of the urinary tract, whether as the result of inflammation, a tumor, or formation of calculi (stones).
A cat suffering from acute renal failure does not urinate, is depressed and weak, and vomits. Blood and/or urine tests confirm diagnosis. Treatment sometimes requires hospitalization, since the patient must be closely monitored and normally requires an IV.
It's probably the number one non-accidental cause of death in geriatric cats. As the kidney ages, its ability to cleanse the blood diminishes and toxic wastes begin to accumulate in the blood. The cat loses weight, loses interest in food, vomits, suffers from diarrhea and halitosis (urine smell), and eventually presents nervous disorders (coma) resulting in death. Changing the diet early on by restricting phosphorus increases the life expectancy of a cherished companion. Medical treatment is normally provided at times of crisis or when the condition worsens suddenly. A veterinarian will typically prescribe a special diet, since the onset of chronic renal failure can be delayed through appropriate diet.Urinary tract obstruction is often the cause of acute renal failure. Cats are plagued by lower urinary tract disorders, all grouped under the heading Feline Urologic Syndrome (FUS). The anatomy of male cats makes them particularly vulnerable.
Dry foods (kibble) have often been blamed for this disorder. In the 1970s, some low quality, high-magnesium foods were responsible for creating alkaline urine, which contributed to the formation of crystals and the accumulation of struvites (magnesium ammonium phosphate calculi). These irritating grains caused cystitis in both genders, obstructing the long, narrow, curved urethra of male cats.
Today, veterinarians have a broader view of this syndrome, now referred to as Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD). This term includes disorders characterized by a variety of clinical signs, including frequent or painful urination or the presence of blood in the urine (hematuria). Urination outside of the litter box can also be a warning sign. The only option in these cases is surgery.
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