Consequences of renal insufficiency in CKD
Regulation of water balance
Loss of the ability to reabsorb water and loss of regulation of salt and other electrolytes in the body.
- Increased drinking (polydipsia)
- Increased urine production (polyuria)
- Dehydration → until collapse
- Fatigue (apathy), weakness, lethargy
- Accumulation of fluid in tissues (oedema)
- Increased blood pressure (hypertension)
Regulation of electrolyte balance
Loss of fine regulation of the electrolyte balance can lead to secondary hyperparathyroidism
- Lack of appetite (anorexia)
- Fatigue (apathy), weakness, lethargy
- Weight loss
- Itchiness
- Twitching
- Teeth grinding
- Impaired movement (for example weakness of the hind legs) and abnormal movements like walking on hocks (plantigrade gait), uncoordinated movements
- Constipation
- Eating cat litter
- Hypothermia
Regulation of pH balance
The loss of fine regulation of pH in the body can lead to increased acidity of the blood (metabolic acidosis)
- Weight loss and muscle atrophy
→ spine becomes visible and bony - Breathlessness, increased panting
- Mucosal ulcers in the mouth (stomatitis)
- Vomiting
Production of hormonal substances
Reduced calcitriol production (vitamin D)
A decrease in calcitriol production can lead to secondary hyperparathyroidism.
Disruption of renin synthesis
Disruption of renin synthesis can be associated with high blood pressure.
- Central nervous disorders such as seizures, convulsions, lethargy, stroke
- Walking difficulties
- Visual disorders → blindness due to retinal detachment
- Proteinuria
Reduction in erythropoietin synthesis
Disruption of erythropoietin synthesis can lead to anaemia
- Fatigue (apathy), weakness, lethargy → hind leg weakness
- Lethargy
- Paleness of the mucous membrane of eyes, ears and mouth
- Hypothermia, cat cold to the touch, feels cold, shivers
- Nausea, lack of appetite (anorexia), eats cat litter
- Increased heart and breathing rate
Removal of toxins
- Diarrhoea → emaciation, dehydration
- Shaggy coat
- Fatigue (apathy)
- Stomach ulcers which can lead to bleeding
- Tremor, cramps, abnormal movements, muscle disorders, comatose states
