🐾 Kidney Disease in Pets
Good kidney function is vital for a healthy animal. The kidneys regulate water and salt balance, as well as filter protein waste products from the blood. When the kidneys aren’t working properly, waste builds up in the body and your pet can feel very unwell.
At Pittwater Animal Hospital we diagnose and manage both acute kidney disease and chronic kidney disease.
⚡ Acute Kidney Disease
Acute kidney disease happens when the kidneys suddenly stop functioning properly. These animals are usually very unwell and require intensive care and thorough investigation.
🔍 Diagnostics
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White blood cell changes may indicate infection
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Urea & Creatinine rise when protein wastes are not cleared
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Phosphate rises in long-term kidney damage
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Electrolytes (Na⁺, Cl⁻, K⁺) often abnormal
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Red cells may drop, leading to anaemia
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Repeat blood tests are essential to monitor progress
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Urine concentration — kidneys lose ability to concentrate/dilute urine
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Protein levels — can indicate kidney disease or infection
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Sedivue analysis — detects white cells, bacteria, casts (kidney debris)
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Bacterial culture — to identify infection
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Imaging
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X-rays — may show stones (uroliths)
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Ultrasound — shows changes in kidney structure and ureters
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Blood pressure measurement — kidneys are closely involved in regulating blood pressure
💊 Treatment
Hospital treatment may include:
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Intravenous fluids (with salt balance adjustments)
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Antibiotics (if infection suspected)
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Nutritional support
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Medications for nausea and gut irritation
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Careful monitoring of blood, urine, and secondary problems
🌈 Prognosis
With intensive treatment, many animals make a good recovery and go on to live healthy lives. Some may recover but later develop chronic kidney disease.
🕰️ Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a slow, progressive decline in kidney function, very common in older animals — especially cats.
⚠️ Symptoms
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Increased drinking and urination
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Weight loss
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Reduced appetite
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Vomiting (increasing over time)
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Smelly breath
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Gradual muscle loss
🔍 Diagnostics
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Urea & Creatinine rise with disease
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Phosphate increases with progression
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Regular full profiles help track body-wide changes
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Poor urine concentration/dilution
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Sedivue testing detects infection
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Protein may indicate a need for medication
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🛠️ Management of CKD
Once kidney disease is diagnosed, part of the kidney is permanently damaged. The goal is to preserve remaining function.
What we do at PAH
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Routine blood tests throughout life (during desexing, dentals, senior checks)
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Tracking kidney values over time to spot early changes
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Early dietary changes to reduce protein and phosphate load
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Special renal diets (Royal Canin renal for dogs and cats, both wet & dry)
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Medication for nausea or complications when needed
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Regular weight, appetite, and urine monitoring
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Treatment of any contributing diseases (thyroid, heart disease, infections)
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Hospital care if deterioration becomes severe
The key to long-term comfort in CKD is maintaining a good appetite. Renal diets are ideal, but keeping your pet eating is the most important factor.
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❓ FAQs about Kidney Disease
🐱🐶 What does it mean if my pet has kidney disease?
Kidney disease means your pet’s waste disposal and fluid balance system isn’t working properly. This can lead to illness and eventually death if not managed.
The good news: it can often be picked up early during routine screening before your pet is sick. Early detection allows us to slow progression, manage diet, and closely monitor weight, appetite, and urine changes.
🤒 What if my pet is already sick from kidney disease?
Very unwell animals may have acute kidney disease (sudden onset) or advanced chronic kidney disease. Acute disease can sometimes be reversed with intensive treatment. Advanced chronic disease often has fewer options, and focus shifts to comfort and quality of life.
⚠️ What is end-stage kidney disease?
End-stage kidney disease means the kidneys can no longer sustain normal life. Signs include:
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Excessive drinking and hanging over the water bowl
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Loss of appetite or complete refusal to eat
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Chronic vomiting
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Severe weight loss (often 500g+ in cats)
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Smelly, ulcerated mouth
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Possible seizures
Unlike in humans, dialysis and kidney transplants are not practical options for most pets.
🌈 What can I do if my pet has end-stage kidney disease?
At this stage, pets feel progressively worse. Fluids may help temporarily, but most will deteriorate quickly once treatment stops. Sadly, the natural course of end-stage disease is very unpleasant. Euthanasia is usually the kindest choice to prevent suffering.
🕊️ When should I consider euthanasia for a pet with kidney disease?
If your pet is no longer eating, is vomiting daily, or begins to have seizures, their quality of life is very poor and unlikely to improve. At this point, euthanasia should be considered. For more information, see our Final Care For Your Pet page.
🛡️ Could I have prevented kidney disease?
Kidney disease is very common, especially in cats over 10 years old. While it can’t always be prevented, good dental health, prompt treatment of infections, and a high-quality diet support kidney health.
Early blood and urine testing is the best way to detect disease before it advances. Many pets live long, happy lives with early-stage kidney disease if managed properly.
📅 When should my pet have kidney screening tests?
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At desexing, to establish baseline values
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Whenever your pet has an anaesthetic, another test is recommended
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In dogs over 7 years and cats over 10 years, annual senior blood and urine checks are invaluable
Routine monitoring means we can detect changes early and adjust treatment before your pet becomes sick.
