Pets: Look out for tell-tail ills that come with old age

JUST as with humans, old age in animals can bring countless health problems.

When is comes to elderly cats, the most common is kidney disease, which can lead to chronic renal failure in extreme cases.

Once diagnosed, the condition cannot be cured, but experts at the PDSA veterinary charity are urging owners to be on the look out for symptoms, knowing that managing the illness in its early stages can make a huge difference to an animal's quality of life.

"Chronic renal failure develops gradually and signs only usually begin to develop when more than two thirds of kidney function has been lost," explains Sean Wensley, senior veterinary surgeon. "Signs of the disease include reduced appetite, gradual weight loss and a poor coat."

Pets with chronic renal failure also drink and urinate more frequently, occasionally vomit and suffer from mouth ulcers. "Owners should consult their vet immediately if their pet shows any of these signs," says Sean,

The kidneys are responsible for filtering out waste products, but as pets get older their kidney function can decrease. Chronic renal failure is where the filtering capacity of the kidneys has decreased to the point they are unable to produce urine of a normal concentration.

As the kidney function deteriorates over time, waste products are not filtered out, so these toxic waste products build up in the affected pet's body.

A pet suffering from kidney disease will need regular monitoring, but by recognising the signs early, owners can help them enjoy a good quality of life for as long as possible through prescription diets, which mean the kidneys do not have to work so hard.

For more information on pet health visit www.pdsa.org.uk.