Clinical signs

Signalment

  • Some breeds are known to be at risk of certain hereditary conditions, for example, polycystic kidney disease or amyloidosis, which increase their risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD)
  • Cats are at much higher risk of CKD than dogs (estimated 3-10 times higher)
  • The older the animal, the higher the chance it has CKD

Predisposing factors

  • Some underlying diseases can increase the risk of developing CKD, such as infections, neoplasia or inflammatory disease. Hyperthyroidism is a common disease of older cats and predisposes to CKD. Likewise, there may be a history of exposure to a nephrotoxin.

Clinical signs

Common presenting signs reported by owners include: 

Yasmine cat 3
  • Weight loss
  • Polydipsia and polyuria
  • Reduced appetite 
  • Lethargy/depression
  • Vomiting or other gastrointestinal signs 
  • Halitosis/dysphagia
  • Weakness
  • Poor coat (due to reduced grooming)
  • Signs related to hypertension, for example acute onset blindness, unusual behaviour, seizures

Other signs that may be noted on clinical examination include:

  • Signs of dehydration (skin tenting, etc)
  • Pale mucous membranes
  • Palpably small and/or irregular kidneys (may be enlarged with some conditions such as neoplasia)
  • Oral ulcerations +/- periodontal disease
  • Signs linked to hyperthyroidism (tachycardia, palpable goitre)
  • Retinal haemorrhages