If your cat has been diagnosed with kidney disease, it can be a bit overwhelming. Kidney disease is incurable, but that doesn't mean that there's nothing you can do to extend your kitty's life. If you're seeking ways to improve your cat's quality of life as well as keeping them with you for as long as possible, consider these three tips:
Reduce Protein
Healthy cats need protein in order to maintain their muscle mass. However, when a cat develops kidney disease, it's important to reduce their protein intake.
Kidneys are responsible for filtering out excessive amounts of protein that cats eat. However, when kidneys are failing, it's harder for them to accomplish this goal. Excessive amounts of protein can build up in the blood, which can make a cat feel sick.
Your veterinarian will work with you to determine what amount of protein is right for your cat. If your cat is still very active and muscular, your cat may be able to eat more protein than others would.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture isn't a cure for kidney disease, but it can help to reduce the discomfort cats experience with kidney disease.
Acupuncture is very safe when performed by a veterinarian or under the supervision of a veterinarian. While the idea of inserting needles may sound worrisome, acupuncture needles are extremely thin. They rarely hurt, especially in the hands of a skilled acupuncturist.
Acupuncture can help to release endorphins when they're inserted, which can reduce pain. This can help your kitty to feel more like itself, even with kidney disease.
Fluid Boluses
Lastly, kidney disease can cause dehydration because sick kidneys tend to wastewater in comparison to healthy kidneys. As a result, keeping your cat hydrated is a number one priority for helping your kitty to stay well.
Fluid boluses are like a small sack of water that's inserted under your cat's skin. Using a needle attached to an IV bag, an insertion is made in the loose skin of the scruff. The IV fluid then moves into the pouch under the skin. From there, your cat's body can gradually absorb the fluid as needed, which helps to keep your kitty stay hydrated beyond drinking water.
Kidney disease is a terrible thing for cats to develop, but you can still work with your veterinarian to keep your kitty healthy for as long as possible. Call your local animal hospital for more information and assistance.
