Kidney disease may be caused by damage to the kidneys, resulting from infection or an inherited condition, kidney stones, toxin exposure, autoimmune disease (where the body’s defense system attacks its own kidneys) or cancer. In many cases, the cause of kidney disease cannot be identified. Pets may show few or no signs of illness until kidney disease is advanced.

Symptoms of kidney disease include increased thirst and urination, urinating during the night, decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, lethargy and sometimes blindness or convulsions. If you observe any of these signs in your pet, contact your veterinarian.