Introduction

Diseases That Cause Kidney Failure In Cats

Kidney failure is usually caused by one of several acquired or congenital diseases.

Acquired Kidney Diseases

These are kidney diseases that a cat acquires during its lifetime, usually as a result of normal wear and tear, infection or injury.

Acquired Kidney Diseases

Congenital Kidney Diseases

These are kidney problems that a cat has from birth. They may or may not have been genetically inherited from the cat's parents.

Congenital Diseases

Whether acquired or congenital, kidney failure is also described as either chronic or acute.

Chronic Kidney Failure
Chronic kidney failure is a progressive deterioration of kidney function over a relatively long period of time (months to years). A cat may lose up to 75% of kidney function before symptoms become noticeable. When this happens, it may seem like they have become ill quite suddenly. Chronic kidney failure is also called chronic kidney disease, chronic renal failure or chronic renal insufficiency

Acute Kidney Failure
Acute kidney failure, also known as acute renal failure (ARF), is the sudden shutdown of kidney function. This often occurs as a result of a urinary obstruction, an infectious disease, physical injury or poisoning. Immediate and aggressive veterinary treatment is required for cats suffering from ARF, and in some cases this will successfully reverse the disease. Unfortunately, the outlook is often poor and many cats with ARF will not survive, or will be left with residual renal insufficiency.