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EnglishWhat Is the Difference Between Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) in Cats?
Updated
CKD and AKI are the two main kinds of kidney disease in cats, and the difference matters because it shapes both treatment and outlook. CKD is ongoing: kidney function that is lost cannot be regained, so the goal is to preserve the remaining function for as long as possible. AKI usually comes on suddenly, is often triggered by a specific event such as poisoning, and is typically treated in hospital — but a cat who survives the initial crisis can often regain much, and sometimes all, of normal kidney function.
The core difference: ongoing loss vs. a sudden crisis
| CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) | AKI (Acute Kidney Injury) | |
|---|---|---|
| Onset | Ongoing disease; may still appear suddenly and require hospitalisation | Usually comes on suddenly |
| Cause | Not tied to a single triggering event in the description | Often triggered by a particular event or "insult" |
| Lost kidney function | Cannot be regained | May be regained if the cat survives the initial crisis |
| Treatment setting | Managed long term | Normally hospitalised for treatment |
| Goal | Keep the remaining function for as long as possible | Get through the crisis; recovery of much or all function is possible |
What triggers AKI
AKI is often set off by a specific insult. Two examples given are lilies and antifreeze, both described as extremely toxic to cats and capable of causing AKI. Cats with AKI are normally hospitalised, and treatment usually includes intravenous fluids (IV fluids, also known as a drip). Depending on what caused the AKI, other treatments may also be offered. AKI is hard to treat, but surviving the initial crisis can mean a good recovery of kidney function.
What CKD means for your cat
CKD may also show up very suddenly and require hospitalisation, so a dramatic presentation does not by itself rule out the chronic form. The key contrast is that CKD is an ongoing disease in which lost kidney function cannot be restored. That is why management focuses on protecting what function remains rather than reversing damage.
Which one does this site cover?
The site is primarily designed for people whose cat has the chronic form, CKD, though it may be of some use to those with a cat with AKI; there is a separate Acute Kidney Injury page for more detail.
Before you use CKD information, confirm the diagnosis
Some people contact the site about cats with lower urinary tract problems rather than kidney problems. The kidneys are part of the upper urinary tract, and lower urinary tract problems are relatively common in cats but do not automatically lead to kidney problems. So it is worth being sure your cat actually has kidney issues before relying on CKD material.
A note on what the site is
The site was created in 2000 by Helen, who has had three cats with CKD — Tanya, Thomas and Ollie. She describes building it because she knew first hand the shock of the diagnosis and wanted to provide the detailed, practical information that would have helped her at that first diagnosis. She states that she does not sell products, does not run adverts, and does not accept offers to promote others' products, and that she has no miracle cure — the aim is to describe the best, proven ways to treat CKD in cats.