Causes of Kidney Failure in Cats
Older cats tend to develop renal insufficiency. The kidneys start losing nephrons, the parts that filter and excrete substances. Some symptoms involve the cats' urine not being able to concentrate, increased drinking and urination, depression, decreased appetite, foul breath, oral ulcers and vomiting. End stage symptoms include low body temperature, seizures, severe depression and coma. Listed below are the causes of renal failure in cats.
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Causes
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Three things generally cause renal failure in cats: age, genetics and ingesting a toxin.
Age
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Many cats develop renal insufficiency as they age. With age, nephrons (the tubes and filter system in kidneys) start to degenerate, resulting in renal failure (Dr. Derek Duval, a veterinarian in PA).
Genetics
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Some cats are born with cysts in their kidneys. These cysts enlarge and multiply, also increasing the size of the kidneys, and prevent cats' kidneys from functioning properly (Cat Fanciers' Association, in consultation with two professors of Animal Science).
Toxins
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Ethylene glycol (antifreeze), zinc and cholecalcifal (a kind of rat poison) are toxic to cats, according to the Cornell University Department of Animal Science.
Antifreeze
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Cats like the smell and taste of antifreeze, which requires only 1.5 ml/kg for a lethal dose in cats. Symptoms come in three stages: 1) drunken appearance within 1 hour of ingestion, 2) cardiac failure within one day and 3) renal failure.
Zinc
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Zinc may be found in zinc nuts (for transportation crates of cat food), pennies minted after 1983, diaper rash products, rubber products, cosmetics, batteries, soaps and printing inks. Ingesting zinc results in hemolysis (red blood cells breaking from the blood stream into the surrounding area), anemia (impaired ability to create new red blood cells) and renal failure.
Rat Poison
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Rat poison is lethal to cats in doses of less than 5 mg/kg. It increases the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, which causes renal failure in cats. Symptoms appear within 36 hours.
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