Kidney Disease Symptoms in Cats
Nephritis and Nephrosis continued...
Nephrosis refers to kidney diseases accompanied by destruction of the
nephrons and loss of functioning kidney cells. In a cat with nephrotic
syndrome, protein leaks through the kidney filtering system in large amounts
and is lost in the urine. This results in abnormally low serum proteins.
Protein in the serum maintains osmotic pressure that keeps fluid from passing
out of the bloodstream into the cat’s tissues. Because of the low serum
protein, fluid accumulates beneath the skin of the legs (edema) and inside the
abdomen (ascites). The signs are like those of right-sided heart failure.
Laboratory studies will distinguish between these conditions. Hydronephrosis is
caused by an obstruction in the ureter (such as a urolith), which causes urine
to back up into the kidney, destroying its architecture.
Treatment: Nephritis and nephrosis are not usually recognized until a cat
develops signs of kidney failure. Steroids and special diets may be of