Are Your Cat's Failing Kidneys Threatening Their Vision?
When a cat is diagnosed with kidney disease, that's genuinely bad enough on its own. Kidney disease is ultimately fatal in cats, as there's no known cure, so it may seem like this is as bad as it can get. Unfortunately, things can get worse from there if you're not careful. While cats with kidney disease can live relatively long and enjoyable lives, they can only do so with your help. Here's what you need to know about a risk to their vision and how to defend against it.
Blood Pressure
The tie between the kidneys and the eyes is actually coupled with one more thing - your cat's blood pressure.
You see, kidney disease can raise blood pressure. As scar tissue forms in the damaged kidneys, it can partially block off blood flow from entering and leaving. The body's solution to this problem is to turn up the blood pressure so that it can successfully get in and out again. However, high blood pressure is very bad for cats, and this is where your cat's vision comes into play.
Vision
High blood pressure can wreak havoc on anyone's eyes, even human's. So it stands to reason that a cat would have problems with it, too.
When blood pressure is high for an extended period of time, it can increase the pressure in the eyes. This can damage the delicate structures of the eye and cause vision loss or full blindness. The good news, though, is that the damage may not be permanent if you get treatment for it soon, and it can typically be avoided entirely if you work with a veterinarian.
What to Do
If you aren't already, make a plan to see a vet on a regular basis for your cat's health. This is necessary to monitor the health of their kidneys as well as their blood pressure. If it's revealed that your cat has high blood pressure, your veterinarian will give them medication to help bring it back down to a healthy level. In some cats, this can help to restore their vision. However, time is of the essence. The longer the eyes are putting up with high blood pressure, the more likely they are to fully lose their vision, so if you suspect that your cat can't see clearly, get help right away.
Cats with kidney disease don't have to suffer. Work with your veterinarian to make the right choices for your cat's health and to reduce their kidney disease symptoms as much as possible.
If you would like more information on kidney disease in cats, contact a local veterinary clinic.