Fluid Therapy For Cats With Kidney Failure

Cat owners can be alarmed to learn their beloved companions have chronic renal failure also called kidney failure.

Fluid therapy for cats with kidney failure.

The body s fluid composition is out of balance such as when blood potassium levels are too high hyperkalemia or too low hypokalaemia. Aaha guidelines review the latest information that helps the veteri. 2013 aaha aafp fluid therapy guidelines for dogs and cats 2013 davis h jensen t johnson a knowles p meyer r rucinsky r shafford h. The 2013 aaha aafp fluid therapy guidelines for dogs and cats is the most complete and medically sound compilation of updates insights advice and recommendations ever developed for helping to ensure that your patients receive appropriate individualized fluid therapy.

Whether or not you decide to euthanize your cat is always a personal decision. Appropriate treatment for chronic kidney failure depends on the specific symptoms and biochemical abnormalities a cat has. Fluid therapy for cat kidney disease. What to expect at home.

If your cat is diagnosed with a condition that will benefit from fluid therapy your veterinarian can teach you to perform this simple procedure. Many patients require fluid therapy to combat dehydration. The journal of veterinary internal medicine reviewed 132 cases of acute feline kidney failure. A special diet and medications may also be necessary.

Administering supplemental fluids can benefit cats with a variety of medical conditions. The remaining 77 died either naturally or through necessary euthanasia. Your vet or the vet tech inserts an iv catheter into a vein in your cat s front leg neck or hind leg. Subcutaneous fluids are generally only part of treating feline kidney disease.

It works rapidly removing toxins and providing constant hydration. In this irreversible condition the kidneys no longer effectively eliminate wastes causing a potentially fatal buildup of toxins. Prognosis of acute feline kidney failure. But providing fluid therapy in a home environment is a vital part of older cat care for many pets and pet owners and it s truly a lifesaving gift of love to a special pet.

Of these 132 cats just 55 survived. However subcutaneous fluid therapy can make a sick cat feel better and. First iv fluids are used for emergency then for replacing nutrients and finally subcutaneous fluids are used for maintaining hydration. Once cats with chronic renal failure are stable enough to continue their treatment at home they can be discharged from the hospital.

The earlier acute kidney failure is captured the better the chances of helping the cat. You can treat kidney failure in cats to extend a cat s life but unfortunately a time will come when you have to let your cat go. Most commonly home fluid therapy is recommended for cats with kidney disease or chronic renal failure crf. Fluid therapy is administered for three purposes during treatment for renal disease.

Iv fluid therapy benefits cats with kidney failure in several ways. Hyperkalaemia may be seen in particular when a cat has a blockage such as kidney stones or acute kidney injury.