The fact is there is a strong possibility that eventually, your cat will need treatment or management of kidney disease. It’s the #1 cause of death in cats over 10 and it’s estimated that more than half of cats over age 15 have reduced kidney function.
What’s even scarier is that our feline friends rarely show any symptoms, and those signs are easy to miss when they do.
Symptoms to watch for include:
- urinating outside the litterbox
- soaking the litterbox
- weight loss
- drinking more water
Sadly, by the time most cats show symptoms the disease is very advanced. That’s why diagnosing reduced kidney function early is so important. Garden Oaks Veterinary Clinic offers symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) testing for both cats and dogs, which is the most accurate marker available for detecting the development of kidney disease. Regular SDMA testing allows us to act sooner and slow the progression of the condition so your cat has the best chance at a long, healthy life.
If you have questions about kidney disease or your pet is showing any of the symptoms above, don’t hesitate to give us a call at (713) 999-6095.