Nacho is fast becoming Nacho again, despite chronic kidney disease Find out how your cat’s kidney disease can be managed with Semintra Finding out Understanding your cat has chronic kidney chronic kidney disease in cats WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF THE
suffer from chronic kidney disease but it
KIDNEYS?
is always a real shock to hear that your
As with humans, cats’ kidneys filter the
blood and remove waste products; in doing
disease, what will happen in the future,
WHAT IS CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE?
and what you can do to help your cat.
Chronic kidney disease is one of the most
irreversible damage to the kidneys. This
damage prevents the kidney’s ability to
properly filter the blood. In most cases, the underlying cause of the damage is never known, but in general it is simply part of the ageing process.
WHAT DOES THIS mEAN FOR mY CAT? Chronic kidney disease is a progressive condition, but the rate of progression can vary markedly between individual cats. Some cats live many years but there is usually a gradual worsening of clinical signs with time. The sooner a diagnosis has been made and appropriate treatment started, the better able your vet will be to help your cat. What signs should How will my vet have diagnosed I look out for? chronic kidney disease in my cat?
Chronic kidney disease develops over a period of many
There a number of tests your vet may have
months, and it is quite common for owners to have not
undertaken in order to diagnose chronic kidney
further tests such as checking your cat’s blood
noticed any clinical signs in their cats when they are
disease in your cat. The two most common
pressure, taking an x-ray, or performing an
diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. Clinical signs can
ones are a blood test and a urine test, usually
ultrasound examination of your cat’s abdomen.
develop very gradually, so it is important to monitor your
cat for any of the signs listed below at home, and speak to your vet if you have any concerns.
Typically, with chronic kidney disease a cat will have elevated blood levels of two waste
Signs of chronic kidney disease can include:
products: urea and creatinine, as well as having
poorly concentrated urine and relevant clinical signs.
Unfortunately, none of these signs is specific for chronic kidney disease in cats, so your vet may need to do a number of tests to find out what is causing them. How is chronic kidney disease treated? How long does Semintra take to work? Semintra starts to work very quickly. The levels of protein within your cat’s urine will reduce within
In most cases, an underlying cause for chronic
Fluid Intake
kidney disease can’t be identified, so treatment is
Cats with chronic kidney disease can become
aimed at managing the disease to keep your cat
dehydrated very quickly so it is very important
What if a dose of Semintra is missed?
living as full and happy a life as possible, for as
that your cat always has free access to a fresh
There is no need to worry if you happen to miss
supply of water. Your vet will be able to advise
or forget a dose of Semintra. Do not increase the
you on how you can increase your cat’s water
dose or dose frequency. Simply wait until the next
intake. Some ways include placing multiple water
scheduled dose is due and give as normal.
bowls throughout the house, adding extra water to your cat’s food, feeding a wet (tin or sachet)
Does Semintra have any side effects?
diet or even having a cat drinking fountain.
Like all licensed veterinary medicines, Semintra has been thoroughly tested for efficacy and
Dietary Changes
safety. Side-effects related to the use of Semintra
Your vet may suggest changing your cat’s food
are rarely observed. If you need further detail
to one specifically designed for chronic kidney
about Semintra and how to use it, please read the
disease. These diets typically contain lower
pack leaflet. However, if you have any concerns
protein and phosphate levels and help to prevent
about your cat while they are taking Semintra,
ongoing kidney damage or the build-up of excess
What is Semintra and how does it work?
Semintra is an oral solution that has been specifically designed for cats and contains a
What will my cat’s life be like on Other Treatments
medicine called telmisartan. Semintra helps to
Semintra?
Sometimes your vet may suggest additional
reduce the amount of protein lost in your cat’s
After many years together, finding out that
therapies to maintain normal blood pressure and
urine. Losing too much protein in the urine is
your cat has chronic kidney disease can be very
adequate levels of potassium and phosphate.
associated with a shorter life expectancy in cats
distressing. The good news is that there are many
Your vet will also be able to advise you on any
suffering from chronic kidney disease.
reasons to remain positive. Your cat will require
other lifestyle changes that may help your cat to
life-long treatment for chronic kidney disease,
How is Semintra given?
but many cats live happily for a number of years
Your vet will advise you on what dose of Semintra after diagnosis. to give to your cat. As Semintra is well accepted by most cats, giving it should be easy. Many cats
FIND OUT mORE INFORmATION
will accept Semintra given by mouth straight
AbOUT SEmINTRA AND CHRONIC
from the syringe. If it is easier for you, you can
KIDNEY DISEASE IN CATS AT
also give Semintra with a small amount of food. WWW.SEmINTRA.CO.UK. Semintra checklist Follow your vet’s advice regarding
Giving your cat Semintra regularly each day
Speak to your vet before
Stopping, increasing or reducing your cat’s Semintra
Further Information Further information about your cat’s kidney disease and how you can help your cat can be found on International Cat Care’s website (formerly the Feline Advisory Bureau). Please visit: www.icatcare.org
Advice on the use of Semintra® or other therapies should be sought from your veterinary
surgeon. Semintra contains telmisartan. UK: POM-V IE: POM. Further information available
from Boehringer Ingelheim Limited, Vetmedica Division, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 8YS,
UK. Email: [email protected]. Date of preparation: Aug 2013. AHD
7719. Use Medicines Responsibly (www.noah.co.uk/responsible)
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Midlands Family Medicine Education Prothrombin Time Test (PT) and INR What is the prothrombin time test? The prothrombin time, or PT, test measures the time it takes your blood to form a clot. This test is also often calledThe results of the prothrombin time test may vary from lab to lab, so health care providers use a ratio called the INR(international normalized ratio) to be ab