Finding out that your cat has developed kidney disease is upsetting all on its own, but unfortunately, kidney disease often doesn't come alone. When cats develop kidney disease, it can put them at risk of developing several other ailments. Read on to learn what your cat could experience with kidney disease and how to control it.

Mouth Ulcers

When a cat's kidney disease isn't well-controlled or it enters the later stages, your cat can develop ulcers in its mouth. This is because the toxins that the kidneys aren't fully filtering out of the blood are converted into ammonia by the bacteria that commonly lives in the mouth. Mouth ulcers can be easily detected by a veterinarian. Unfortunately, there aren't any methods for curing the ulcers except to better control your cat's kidney values, typically with subcutaneous fluids to help flush the waste from the blood.

High Blood Pressure

As kidney function decreases, scar tissue can build up inside the kidneys. Since the kidneys are responsible for filtering your cat's blood supply, this can cause high blood pressure to develop. Scar tissue can partially physically block the blood from entering or leaving the kidneys, making it harder for blood to flow through with every heartbeat. As a result, your cat's body compensates by raising its blood pressure to force the blood through the kidneys. While this is a short-term solution, it can cause more problems in the long run, like heart disease and blindness.

Anorexia

Lastly, kidney disease can cause anorexia - or an unwillingness to eat - for a variety of reasons. Side effects of kidney disease like the aforementioned mouth ulcers can make it painful and unpleasant to eat. However, there are other factors at work, too. When toxins build up in the cat's blood supply, the cat may begin to feel nauseous or have a build-up of stomach acid as a result. This can make it unpleasant to even try to eat, even if a cat is hungry.

If your cat has kidney disease, it's extremely important to work with your vet to control and monitor the cat's condition. Blood tests can reveal how well your cat's kidneys are functioning and how many toxins have built up in your cat's blood. Physical exams can reveal problems like excessive weight loss and mouth ulcers. If your cat has kidney disease, make sure to maintain a regular schedule of visits to a vet, like Apple Valley Animal Hospital. 

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