Chronic renal insufficiency (chronic renal failure, chronic kidney disease = CKD) is the consequence of progressive and irreversible loss of functional kidney tissue (nephrons). This loss happens secretly and progresses gradually across months and years virtually unnoticed. Visible symptoms unfortunately do not occur until the quantity of functioning kidney tissue drops below 25 %. Kidneys may be damaged by: Infections, shock, autoimmune diseases, congenital abnormalities, intoxication, accident, neoplasia.
Renal diets continue to be a fundamental element of treatment. While having to cover the cat‘s nutritional requirement, they should slow down the progression of the function loss of the kidneys and alleviate symptoms.
Since the excretion of uremic substances from protein metabolism is no longer sufficiently possible, an increased accumulation occurs in the blood. Amongst other the urea content in blood increases and causes nausea, vomiting and gingivitis. Since the phosphorus content of the blood rises up at the same time, hormonal reactions cause calcium deposits (calcification) in the kidneys in addition to this. Therefore it promotes progression of the CKD.