Many signs are nonspecific and can be linked with several different diseases. Each of them is significant and should prompt your concern. It is important to know what to look for, pay attention to your cat’s behavior and observe for any abnormal symptoms.
Here are the 8 common signs of illness you should be able to recognize in your cat.
- Loss of Appetite. Anorexia is a term used to describe the situation where an animal loses his appetite and does not want to eat or is unable to eat. There are many causes of a “loss of appetite” and it is often the first indication of illness. Regardless of the cause, loss of appetite can have a serious impact on an animal’s health, especially if it lasts 24 hours or more.
- - Urinating problem. “Trouble urinating” can include straining to urinate, frequent attempts at urination, spending more time in the litter box, urinating outside of the litter box, and/or evidence of discomfort when urinating. Some of the causes if left untreated can result in death in as little as 36 hours.
- - Weight loss. This is a physical condition that results from a negative caloric balance. Weight loss is considered clinically important when it exceeds 10 percent of the normal body weight and is not associated with fluid loss. There are several causes for this, some of which can be very serious.
- - Breathing Problems. Respiratory distress, often called dyspnea, is labored, difficult breathing or shortness of breath. This can occur at any time during the breathing process, during inspiration (breathing in) or expiration (breathing out). When your cat has trouble breathing, he may not be able to get enough oxygen to his tissues. This is a very serious symptom and should be evaluated immediately.
- - Jaundice. Jaundice, also referred to as icterus, describes the yellow color taken on by the tissues throughout the body due to elevated levels of bilirubin, a substance that comes from the breakdown of red blood cells. There are several causes for jaundice and regardless of the cause; jaundice is considered abnormal and serious in the cat.
- - Urinating and Drinking Excessively. These signs are often early signs of disease including kidney failure, diabetes mellitus, thyroid gland problems, uterine infection (called pyometra), as well as other causes. Cats normally take in about 20 to 40 milliliters (about one ounce) per pound of body weight per per pound of body weight per day, or one cup for a normal sized cat. If you determine that your cat is drinking excessively, make an appointment with your veterinarian.
- - Lethargy or Weakness. Lethargy is a state of drowsiness, inactivity, or indifference in which there are delayed responses to external stimuli such as auditory (sound), visual (sight), or tactile (touch) stimuli. Lethargy is a nonspecific sign associated with many possible underlying systemic disorders.
- - Pale Gums. Pale gums or mucous membranes can indicate blood loss or “shock”. The possible causes for either blood loss or shock are life-threatening and thus should be evaluated immediately.
It is a good idea to have your cat examined periodically (a physical exam is a must). This can help look for problems early and start this at a young age.
Prevention is the best cure. Feed your cat a high quality diet and give him plenty of opportunities for play. Watch your cat carefully for any sign of illness. If you notice any of these signs in your cat, please contact your veterinarian or veterinary emergency clinic as soon as possible.
By Kate Rieger
First lets review some of the vocabulary used to convey the state of the condition for cats in kidney failure. Acute kidney (or renal) failure in your cat is characterized by complete organ failure where the kidneys stop working altogether. Acute renal failure in cats happens suddenly. It can affect both young and old cats.This type of kidney disease is almost always fatal but if treated immediately and aggressively, the kidneys may regain normal functions and your cat may live a relatively normal life.
The other phrase you may hear is chronic kidney failure. This is the most common disease and is usually experienced by an aging cat. As cats age their major organs have weakened, including their kidneys. Sadly, by the time you notice the symptoms for cats in kidney failure about 70% of your cat's kidney functions are already in trouble. Chronic kidney failure is a progressive disease and eventually your cat will die from it. However, the earlier the disease is discovered the longer you can keep your cat comfortable for months or even years.
Your vet will palpitate the kidney area and check for small, shriveled kidneys. He may take x-rays or an ultrasound. The most dependable diagnosis comes from the blood and urine tests taken from your cat.
Blood Tests
A blood test evaluates the BUN level of your cat's blood. No, BUN isn't a level of yeast but stands for the Blood Urea Nitrogen level. The BUN is a chemical that the liver makes from ammonia. After production, BUN is excreted into the kidneys, which increases in some diseases especially for cats in kidney failure. The test also is a marker for dehydration in your cat or even bladder stones.
Blood tests also show the level of creatinine in your cat's blood. Creatinine is the breakdown product of muscle and normally is excreted by the kidneys. If your cat's creatinine level is abnormal it helps confirm that your cat's elevated BUN level was caused by kidney failure.
Urine Tests
When evaluating your cat's urine, the veterinarian will check for signs of infection, the concentration, and any losses of proteins. When a healthy cat is dehydrated the proteins show at a concentrated level. For cats in kidney failure, this protein concentration is not there which is key to determining if your cat's kidneys are functioning properly or not.
About the Author:
Signs of Renal failure in cats. Increased thirst is often the first symptom
Kidney disease, in the form of chronic renal failure (CRF), is a common problem in older cats. I have seen kidney failure in cats as young as 4 years, but far more frequently in much older cats. The most noticeable symptom is an increase in water consumption and urination ("drink-a-lot, pee-a-lot syndrome"). A blood test should be done if you notice these symptoms, as there are several conditions that can cause this. The increase in drinking and urinating in CRF is due to loss of the kidney's ability to concentrate the urine. The kidneys have a very large reserve capacity, and symptoms of kidney failure are not seen until approximately 75% of kidney tissue is non-functional. In my experience, kidney failure is the most common cause of death in older cats.
Causes of Chronic Renal Failure
Recent research suggests a link between vaccination for feline distemper and immune-mediated inflammation of the kidneys, which is thought to be the cause of CRF. Annual boosters for distemper are completely unnecessary. Be sure to discuss all recommended vaccines with your veterinarian. A cat with kidney disease or kidney failure should not be vaccinated at all.
Long-term feeding of an all-dry-food diet is also suspected as a factor in Chronic Renal Failure. Cats' kidneys are highly efficient and adapted to life in the desert, where they would get most or all of their water from eating their prey. Cats eating dry cat food take in only half the water that cats on a canned or homemade diet get; this chronic dehydration can cause stress on the kidneys over time. Dry diets also predispose cats to lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD, LUTD, FUS, crystals, stones, cystitis) because they force such a high degree of urine concentration. Chronic or recurrent bladder disease may also be a factor in the development of CRF.
Treatment of Chronic Renal Failure
Chronic kidney failure is progressive and incurable. No conventional or alternative medical treatment can reverse its course, since the disease involves the loss of kidney cells and replacement by scar tissue. The rate of progression in any individual cat probably cannot be slowed to any significant degree. When the process is advanced, the kidneys become small and lumpy, and the amount of functional tissue is greatly limited. The most significant problems caused by the loss of function are build-up of blood toxins, and anemia. These can cause weight loss, lethargy, vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness, and other signs of illness. 
Some cats are able to maintain their body weight and live relatively comfortable lives for months to years, while others succumb to the disease more quickly. In conventional medicine, there are drugs that can minimize anemia, and phosphate binders to prevent phosphorus precipitates from further damaging the kidneys. However, these may not be palatable, and may cause adverse reactions. They are also of little or no value unless the cat is eating a restricted protein/low phosphorus diet exclusively. It may also be important to supplement potassium in the food.
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