Sadly, owners of cats with CRF sometimes think that the signs of this disease are simply due to thei

Home Features Business Extra Pets Extra People Extra Time Exclusives Fashion Food & Drink Hot Blogs Health & Wellbeing Letters & drfostersandsmith Rants Motors Puzzles Weddings & Events Sports And the Rest Extra Local Corby Local News Things to do Kettering Local News Things to do Wellingborough Local News Things to do Rushden Local News Things to do County and Midlands Travel Business Competitions Contact About Extra Advertise Terms & Conditions Careers Newspaper Archive
Kidneys are responsible for filtering out waste products from blood and as pets get older their kidneys can become less effective. This gradual deterioration is called chronic renal failure (CRF), and can lead to a toxic build up in the pet s body.
Sadly, owners of cats with CRF sometimes think that the signs of this disease are simply due to their cat getting older, which can often delay treatment. The disease drfostersandsmith develops gradually and affected cats often won t show symptoms until about 70% of their kidney function is lost. Elaine Pendlebury, PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon, says: Signs of CRF can include reduced appetite and energy, gradual weight loss, bad breath and mouth ulcers, as well as increased thirst and urination. Owners may put these changes down to ageing, rather than kidney failure, so may not immediately think to take their cat along to their vet.
Although the affected cat s kidneys can t return to normal, there are treatments that can slow the development of CRF and improve a pet s quality of life. This is why it s vital that if a cat is showing any of these symptoms you make an appointment to see your vet for a health check:
If a cat is diagnosed with CRF, the vet may prescribe drfostersandsmith medicines and change the cat s diet. Prescription diets containing carefully formulated levels drfostersandsmith of protein, vitamins and minerals are important because they reduce the filtering work that the kidneys must do. Drinking plenty of fresh clean water is also crucial for cats with CRF, so clean water must be available at all times.