| Nephrotic syndrome in cats can cause edema in your | | | | kidneys where they allow for a certain amount of |
| pet which is fluid in their abdominal cavity, or it can | | | | both water and waste products to leave their blood |
| also cause acute dyspnea, which is a difficulty in | | | | where it is eventually passed from their body and |
| breathing that can lead to panting. Panting in cats is | | | | than through the urine. Under normal circumstances, |
| very unusual and is almost always a warning sign that | | | | proteins are protected by what is called the |
| something is very wrong with your pet. | | | | glomerular filter. |
| However, this syndrome can also very rapidly cause | | | | However, when this filter malfunctions or becomes |
| your cat to loss their vision as well as kidney failure. | | | | defective, it allows for large amounts of protein to |
| Nephrotic syndrome in cats is a series of symptoms | | | | leave the blood circulation, passing it through their |
| that is caused by a combination of protein in your | | | | urine. It is widely held that a deposition of immune |
| pets urine and as result of this, low protein levels in | | | | complexes triggers an inflammatory action in your |
| the body. It also may produce very high and | | | | cats immune system that damages the gomeruli. |
| dangerous cholesterol levels as well as large levels of | | | | Once this occurs, it causes protenuria, which is the |
| fluid accumulation in their bodies. | | | | loss of protein through the urine. |
| There are two major causes of this very serious | | | | If this is left untreated, it can very rapidly cause |
| syndrome in your cat; Glomerulonephritis, which is | | | | kidney failure in your cat. |
| also referred to as GN, and Amyloidosis. Both of | | | | The second potential cause is from Amyloidosis, |
| these underlying conditions are hereditary or familiar, | | | | which is a disorder of protein metabolism where an |
| meaning that it will affect several members of the | | | | abnormal amount of deposits of protein referred to |
| same litter or the same family. It can also be | | | | as amyloid are deposited into your cats kidneys. The |
| acquired, meaning that your cat may develop it as | | | | actual reason for this happening is still not known at |
| they get older, but is not nearly as common. | | | | this time, but it is believed to be some type of |
| This syndrome can attack any cat at any age, as | | | | hereditary problem that affects predominately Asian |
| well as any breed. However, it does seem to be | | | | breeds, especially the Abyssinian breed. |
| more common in middle aged and older casts as well | | | | However, it can also affect mixed breeds and occurs |
| as favoring Asian breeds of cats, especially if the | | | | much more commonly in older females, and the |
| underlying cause is Amyloidosis. | | | | deposits of protein in the kidneys leads to chronic |
| Symptoms: | | | | kidney failure if it is not treated. It can, however, |
| There are several very distinct symptoms with this | | | | spread and affect other organs such as the liver, |
| syndrome, but the first symptom that you will see is | | | | spleen, and pancreas. |
| a difficulty in breathing called dyspnea. Dyspnea will | | | | Treatments: |
| cause your cat a very slow but progressive difficulty | | | | Treatments for Nephrotic syndrome will all depend on |
| in breathing. It is also referred to as air hunger, and | | | | how seriously your cat is affected. If they are stable, |
| as it progresses, your cat will start to pant. | | | | they can be treated as outpatients by your |
| Panting is normal in several breeds of dogs, but your | | | | veterinarian, otherwise they will have to be |
| cat is not a dog and anytime they pant it should | | | | hospitalized. The first form of treatment will be |
| immediately signal you that something is wrong; very | | | | antibiotics to control any type of an infection, but this |
| wrong. Dyspnea is often associated with a lung or | | | | will quickly be followed by a modification of your cats |
| heart disease, and with this syndrome, it is the lungs | | | | diet. The will be placed immediately on a low salt and |
| that ere causing the symptoms. | | | | low protein diet to slow the loss of protein in their |
| The next set of symptoms, which are very difficult | | | | system. |
| to actually see, will surface when your cat stops | | | | If your cat is in any of the stages of kidney failure, |
| eating almost to the point of being anorexic. Your cat | | | | they will need intravenous fluid therapy. If they have |
| has now developed edema, which is a condition | | | | a large build up of fluid, this will have to be addressed |
| where a large amount of fluid has developed either in | | | | by diuretics to remove the fluid. Your veterinarian |
| the circulatory system or the tissues between the | | | | may also choose to treat this with a very low dose |
| body's cells. Eating or drinking causes additional | | | | of aspirin, but this is extremely dangerous because of |
| pressure, and as a result, they simply quite eating. | | | | aspirins toxicity in cats and should only be done by |
| This pressure can affect several organs, including | | | | your veterinarian. |
| their eyes, and the final symptom you see may be a | | | | Summary: |
| loss of vision. | | | | Nephrotic syndrome in cats can be a very serious |
| Causes: | | | | threat to your cat, but it can also be successfully |
| There are two distinctive causes of Nephrotic | | | | treated if identified early. If you understand the |
| syndrome; Glomerulonephritis or GN, and Amyloidosis. | | | | symptoms and seek treatment as soon as possible, |
| However, the most common cause is GN. | | | | your cat should live a normal life after treatment. |
| GN is a condition that occurs when the very small | | | | But there is still one very perplexing problem with this |
| blood vessels, called the gomeruli in your cat, starts | | | | syndrome; there is still no known or documented |
| to leak. These small capillaries are located in your cats | | | | prevention. |