| Chronic renal failure, also known as kidney failure, is | | | | of the ailment is a slow terminal progression. |
| one of the most common conditions affecting older | | | | As the disease advances symptoms develop in cats |
| cats. In fact one out of every five cats over fifteen | | | | that include loss of weight, energy and appetite, |
| years of age suffers from it. The disease is essentially | | | | depression, altered thirst and urination, poor coat, |
| characterized by a gradual decrease in the ability of | | | | elevated blood pressure and anemia. Diagnosis is |
| kidneys to purify the blood and remove waste | | | | usually reached after analysis of blood and urine along |
| products from it. The disease usually has a slow | | | | with clinical correlation. Initial treatment is then to correct |
| insidious course and is usually irreversible unless a | | | | the fluid and electrolyte balance in cats with |
| specific cause for the kidney failure is identified and | | | | administration of intravenous fluids. Blood and urine |
| treated (that often include tumors, infections and | | | | tests are then periodically done to monitor the course |
| polycystic disease of the kidneys). In most cases | | | | of disease. |
| though a cause is not identified and the usual course | | | | |