Part 3 in our series on senior pets, "Senior Moments" focuses on a disease we commonly see in aging cats and was written by Dr. Amanda Stephenson. Chronic Kidney Disease, or CKD, is estimated to affect 30% of cats over the age of 12 years. 

​How do you know if your cat has kidney disease? Cats are notorious for being able to hide their illnesses.  Often, changes in their normal behaviour are the only clues that they leave for their owner.  For example, suddenly your cat is hiding and is less sociable then normal. Of course, the opposite may be true and a cat who does not normally like to have a lot of physical contact suddenly is vying for your attention.  The abnormal behaviour may be a way that your cat is trying to communicate that they are not well or may even be trying to hide it. Sometimes these changes are very subtle so don't feel bad if you miss them.  Often owners don’t realize that their pet was "off" until they think back on it later. There are more "obvious signs" signs of illness though and hopefully you will be able to pick up on these more readily.

​This is one of the most common symptoms owners report when they come to the vet clinic with their kitty. They will often complain of "accidents" on the floor and full litter boxes as the volume of urine excreted increases.

5. Bad breath and/or a sore mouth-sometimes when owners bring their cats in for an exam they are prepared for the possibility of dental disease but are surprised to hear that kidney disease can share these symptoms as well.  As kidney disease progresses the kidneys begin to struggle to get rid of the toxins in the bloodstream. They build up in the smallest vessels first causing inflammation. Some of the smallest vessels externally are located in the mouth-the gingiva leading to gingivitis which can cause bad breath and dental disease (secondary to the original problem of kidney disease). Another problem often found in the mouth are "sores" or ulcers because of this same situation and they can make it hard for a cat to eat dry food so owners will often report that they will only eat canned food.

​Severe dehydration can also lead to weakness and an owner is often shocked to hear this because their cat is drinking so much.  Unfortunately, the kidneys are not able to "hold on to the water" and they are urinating it out as fast as they are drinking it, resulting in dehydration and dry stool causing constipation as mentioned previously. 

​After reading about all the "obvious" signs of kidney disease I hope that you will tell anyone who feels badly for missing them that they shouldn't. Most of our feline friends are so good at hiding any illness that it is more common to miss the signs then to pick up on them.  It is likely that 75% of kidney function is lost before we can detect it even if a cat is brought to their vet clinic "early". The good news is that we have better medications, diets, and even supplements which can help support the kidneys. Often an animal being treated will have a much better quality of life and for a longer period of time then if they had been left untreated. 

​High blood pressure
Infection-bacterial, viral
Cancer
Ingestion of a toxin
Obstruction caused by a kidney stone
Kidney blockage-urethral obstruction
Hereditary

 The main difference between the two classifications of kidney disease is the timeline in which it occurs...ACUTE cases can be measured in days or weeks while CHRONIC cases are measured usually by months. It is important to a veterinarian because the clues to the cause of the disease can often be found in the duration. For example, infections and toxin exposure usually are cases where a cat is suddenly, violently ill are acute cases. Acute cases of kidney disease have a higher rate of reversal than chronic cases. 

​Summertime is the best! Going on day trips, camping, or vacations are all excellent ways to get out and enjoy our few months of nice weather. With our pets being such an important part of our families these days, most people like to include them in the fun!

​Day trips in the car to the lake or campground can be lots of fun for both humans and pets (mostly dogs)! When travelling in the car with your pets, you want to make sure they are secured either in a kennel or with a seat belt. Its not easy to drive with a 70 lb dog in your lap! You also want to make sure you pack plenty of water for the trip. 

Finally, while the destination may be fun, your pet may not enjoy the journey. Some dogs and cats can experience motion sickness or even anxiety during car rides. There are medications your veterinarian can recommend to help with these issues. You can also try pheromones like Feliway or Adaptil to help with stress, and Thundershirts have been known to make car rides more enjoyable as well! 

​Many factors influence the method of travel…cost, length of the journey, regulations, etc.  As veterinarians we often hear about some of these “adventures”. When your pet needs to travel long distances (plane, ferry or car), there are different things to keep in mind. Here are some of the things to take into consideration which are often missed.

No matter what your travel plans include, making sure everyone is safe and happy is top priority. Taking our pets along with us on our summertime adventures is an excellent way to bond with them and make sure they live their best life, so long as we make sure their needs are met.