The healthy kidney is also actively selective in eliminating waste products and conserving building blocks. It is this functional loss of selectivity that leads to illness in renal failure. In addition it is a group of cells in the kidneys that determine when we need to produce more red blood cells to replace those that grow old and die. In chronic renal failure these cells cannot function and without the stimulus to produce more red cells anemia develops. Minimally the diet is changed to specially formulated diets that lower the build up of toxic waste products and provide supplementation for substances lost through the failing kidney.
Most cats require fluid supplementation and B vitamin support.
The volume and frequency is determined by each individuals needs. Potassium levels are not low, tissue levels are usually inadequate. Thus a Potassium supplement such oral Tumil K can be given daily. As the organ failure progresses toxic waste products can lead to ulceration of the mouth and gastrointestinal tract. Products such as oral Famotidine can be given to help reduce these toxic effects.