Polycystic kidney disease in cats: symptoms and treatment

Polycystic disease is a congenital disease in which a lot of voids filled with fluid form in the tissues of both kidneys of a cat. These cavities – cysts – disrupt the normal functioning of the animal’s kidneys and lead to intoxication of the body. How to understand that a pet is at risk, and how to maintain its health?

Polycystic disease is a fairly common hereditary disease. Without timely treatment, it can provoke The cat has kidney failure. A kidney cyst in a cat is especially dangerous because its symptoms appear in the later stages of the disease, when most of the kidney tissues are affected and their work is almost completely disrupted.

Causes of the disease

The only reason for the development of polycystic kidney disease in cats is a genetic predisposition. This disease is transmitted by an autosomal dominant type of inheritance – that is, it manifests itself if at least one of the parents has polycystic disease. That is why animals that have been diagnosed with this disease should not be allowed to mate.

Polycystic kidney disease in kittens can begin to develop even in the womb, but at the same time, after birth, the disease does not manifest itself for many years. Most often, polycystic kidney disease is diagnosed in cats older than 5-7 years.

Some breeds have an increased predisposition to this pathology. At risk:

• persian cats,
• british,
• himalayan,
• scottish fold,
• exotic shorthair.

On average, cats with PKD live 7 to 10 years, although with the right supportive care this can be longer.

Symptoms of polycystic kidney disease in cats

Polycystic disease develops slowly, so its signs may appear in a cat only by the age of 6-7 years. By this time, the kidneys are almost completely affected and can no longer perform their functions normally, and the symptoms are often confused with others. kidney disease.

Signs of polycystic kidney disease include:

• apathy;
• increased fatigue of the animal;
• vomiting;
• refusal to eat, weight loss;
• unusually frequent urination, changes in the color of urine;
• thirst;
• increased body temperature;
• inflammation of the eyes, blurred vision.

It is important to immediately consult a doctor in order to start treatment on time and prolong the life of your pet. Under no circumstances should you treat yourself.

Treatment and care

Polycystic disease in cats is treated comprehensively, including surgery. If there are too many cysts in the kidneys, the fluid is removed from them using a special needle, which helps to improve the condition of the pet. Special home care for a sick animal is also necessary – it is recommended to transfer a cat with polycystic disease to wet food with a low content of phosphorus and protein. It will be recommended by a veterinarian. In addition, the specialist usually prescribes vitamins and sometimes antibiotics.

Preventive measures

Since PCOS is a hereditary disease, there are no measures to prevent it. In addition, at those stages when the disease begins to manifest itself, it is completely impossible to cure it. Treatment can only be aimed at maintaining a satisfactory condition of the pet and improving its quality of life. But if you undergo regular examinations, then there is a chance to detect polycystic kidney disease at an early stage and significantly extend the life of a sick cat.

See also:

• Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) and other lower urinary tract diseases
• Blood in the urine of a cat: causes and treatment
• Urological syndrome in cats: what to do if the cat has problems with urination?