Chronic kidney disease is the most common cause of death in older cats and requires sustained management to maintain quality of life through the disease progression.
Chronic kidney disease causes insidious deterioration that owners often miss until advanced stages. Nausea, fatigue, and dehydration from reduced kidney function impair daily experience. Hypertension causes retinal detachment and sudden blindness if unmanaged. The welfare priority is maintaining hydration, controlling nausea, managing phosphate, and monitoring blood pressure. Subcutaneous fluid therapy given at home by trained owners has transformed quality of life management, keeping cats comfortable far longer than would otherwise be possible. Regular veterinary monitoring allows timely adjustments to management as disease progresses.