Nick- Feline kidney disease

Critter Chat Pet Profile Nick the Cat
Name: Nick

Star sign: Scorpio - watch out lady cats, he’ll hypnotise you with those stunning blue eyes!!

Age: 19 years old!

Interests: sleeping, eating, sleeping, eating in that order pretty much. Nick is also known to drop down on visitors laps from great heights and just loves laying across Cheryl’s keyboard whilst she knocks out the latest edition of the coastal rag

Best features: Very handsome boy with a calm friendly nature

Worst features: none of course except maybe shedding too much hair

Size: built for cuddles and not self conscious about it either

One year ago Nick visited us because he started showing symptoms’ of losing weight, being very thirsty and peeing a lot more and generally looking a bit run down. We diagnosed Nick with chronic renal (kidney) failure and started him on medication. For Nick this means a simple injection once every 6 wks. A year down the track Nick is still doing well and enjoying the leisurely lifestyle that he loves.

Chronic renal failure is not uncommon in elderly cats, even with the best of care their kidneys usually let them down as they age. Cats can function completely normally with only 25% of useful kidney, so the disease is usually fairly advanced before we see any symptoms. Kidneys are responsible for filtering toxins and metabolic by-products out of the blood, and they also secrete a hormone necessary for red blood cell production. So when kidneys start to fail, toxins build up and we also get anaemia- this combination can make a pet feel pretty lethargic and sick, and usually puts them off their food.

Although kidney failure isn’t curable, it is certainly treatable and Nick is testimony to the fact that good quality of life is possible with treatment. In specific cases even kidney transplants are performed on cats!

Our pet profiles are designed to educate out community about the health issues that can sometimes happen to our furry friends. Once diagnosed and treated correctly, life can continue as normal with our best mates by our sides.

If you think you know of a pet that should be featured in one of our profiles we would love to hear from you at the clinic