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Kidney Filtration Problems in Cats

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Treatment

The majority of patients can be treated on an outpatient basis, but if your cat is showing signs of severe nitrogenous waste in the bloodstream (azotemia), high blood pressure (hypertension), or blocked vessels due to clotting (thromboembolic disease), it should be hospitalized. Your veterinarian may prescribe medication to stop the loss of protein into your cat's urine and increase blood pressure.

Living and Management

You will need to limit your cat's activity in order to prevent thromboembolic disease. A low-protein, low-sodium diet, perhaps one that is specially formulated for strengthening the kidney, should be fed to your cat. Your veterinarian will assist you in creating the best diet plan for your cat.

Your veterinarian will schedule follow-up appointments for your cat at one month after the initial treatment, and then again at three month intervals for the year following. At each visit, a chemical blood profile, a urinalysis, and an electrolyte panel will be performed. The chemical blood profile is useful for monitoring kidney function, and the urinalysis will indicate the amount of protein being lost into the urine. Your doctor will also take your cat's blood pressure and monitor its weight at each visit.

Glomerulonephritis and amyloidosis are progressive. If the underlying cause cannot be resolved, your cat will eventually lose all kidney function. The prognosis for end-stage kidney disease is poor.