Renal Failure Signs?

Hey therr0789

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jul 28, 2019
Messages
61
Purraise
24
Other than bloodwork and other lab test results what are some symptoms your cat(s) showed as a result of renal failure?
 

Furballsmom

Cat Devotee
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Jan 9, 2018
Messages
39,271
Purraise
53,927
Location
Colorado US
Hi! The test results are the most reliable, definitely. My boy drinks a lot and pees similarly but his kidneys are testing fine :crossfingers:
 

Libby.

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Jul 12, 2019
Messages
197
Purraise
249
One of the first physical signs is drinking more water and peeing outside of the litterbox or volume of pee increased in the box and less concentrated.
 

jen

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 27, 2001
Messages
8,501
Purraise
3,009
Location
Hudson, OH
Increased urination, increased drinking for starters. Followed by weight loss and lack of appetite as well. Eventually they won't eat anything and weight next to nothing, and then you know it is time.

We have a 21 year old Himalayan in early renal failure according to bloodwork. She is 4.5 lbs and has no muscle mass whatsoever. She is incontinent and has trouble supporting her rear end. We told her breeder how old she is and she outlived all of her siblings and lived longer than her parents did. I think it is time, but my mom and sister are having a hard time with that. Siiiigh.
 

silkenpaw

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Oct 18, 2009
Messages
1,117
Purraise
1,127
Location
Hollywood, FL, USA
Drinking and peeing more are the first signs but they are easy to miss and cats are so good at hiding illness that regular blood tests are the most reliable. I have my older cats checked every 6 months or sooner if there’s a problem.
 

mommytobuck

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Mar 12, 2014
Messages
635
Purraise
189
I had a cat with renal failure that I had no idea had it, I was young at the time. The thing that stuck out for me was that my cats box was absolutely insanely full. It was as if the cat was a water producing machine. Also, he didn't really want to be held anymore or play and sat a lot in the muffed up position. Of course he slept all the time as well. Mine didn't really lose that much weight but he was small from the start.
 

silkenpaw

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Oct 18, 2009
Messages
1,117
Purraise
1,127
Location
Hollywood, FL, USA
It’s not always an old cat disease. There may be congenital anomalies or the kidneys may be scarred from an infection. You can’t foresee everything, though, all you can do is your best.
 

denice

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Feb 7, 2006
Messages
18,836
Purraise
13,144
Location
Columbus OH
Alice is in early CKD, still controlled with just prescription food. The first I knew was blood test results. Alice has always drank more water then most cats so that wasn't reliable. I can now tell from the litter box. She pees a lot more then she used to so I am scooping twice a day now rather then once. I also switched litter to one that clumps better which makes scooping easier.
 
Top