Home › Animalia › Animal health › Animal diseases › Feline polycystic kidney disease
Feline polycystic kidney disease
Polycystic kidney disease is an inherited disease in which small fluid-filled pockets, called cysts, develop inside the kidneys. The cysts are already present in the kitten, but tiny. They grow slowly over the years and gradually replace fu...
What is it?
Polycystic kidney disease is an inherited disease in which small fluid-filled pockets, called cysts, develop inside the kidneys.
The cysts are already present in the kitten, but tiny. They grow slowly over the years and gradually replace functioning kidney tissue.
The cat therefore does not show anything for a long time. The signs generally appear in adulthood or around middle age, when the kidneys are no longer able to cope: the disease then manifests itself as chronic kidney failure.
Commonly observed signs
These signs are neither exhaustive nor specific. Only a veterinarian can establish a diagnosis.
Related signs — each one links to its page:
No signs during the first years: this is the characteristic of this disease.
Then, as the kidneys become exhausted: the cat drinks significantly more and urinates in greater quantities.
Progressive weight loss, diminishing appetite.
Dull, unkempt coat.
Fatigue, longer sleep, abandoned play.
Vomiting, bad breath, dehydration in advanced stages.
In kittens, a severe and early form exists but remains exceptional.
When to consult without delay
This list does not replace veterinary advice. It gathers situations that justify a prompt consultation.
Causes and risk factors
The disease is caused by a genetic anomaly passed from parents to kittens.
It is transmitted in a so-called dominant mode: it is enough for only one of the two parents to be affected for part of the litter to be affected as well. There is therefore no healthy carrier who would never develop the disease.
Nothing in the diet, environment or care causes the appearance of cysts: they are included in the genetic heritage of the cat from its conception.
Belong to the Persian or the Exotic shorthair, the breeds most affected. The disease is also described in British shorthairs and in cats resulting from crosses with these breeds.
Having an affected parent: this is the determining factor.
Come from a breeder that does not screen its breeding stock.
Age does not cause the disease but reveals its consequences: the older the cat gets, the more damaged the kidneys are.
Diagnosis and care
Diagnosis is the veterinarian's responsibility, based on clinical examination and laboratory tests. Care is decided case by case.
The ultrasound of the kidneys is the reference examination: it shows the cysts, counts them and measures them. It is reliable in adult cats and allows screening from the age of a few months in predisposed breeds.
A genetic test carried out from a simple swab in the mouth or a blood test allows you to know if the cat carries the anomaly, even at a very young age and before any visible cyst.
A blood test and a urine analysis assess the actual functioning of the kidneys: it is this assessment, and not the number of cysts, which determines the treatment.
Blood pressure is measured because it often rises when the kidneys suffer.
Regular monitoring is carried out in carrier cats, even without any signs.
Treatment
There is no treatment that can make the cysts disappear or stop their growth.
The management is that of chronic kidney disease and aims to preserve the still functional kidneys for as long as possible.
A veterinary renal diet, adapted in protein and phosphorus, constitutes the best established measure.
Permanent access to water and wet food are essential to compensate for losses.
Medications are added as needed: blood pressure control, correction of protein loss in urine, support against nausea, fight against anemia.
In advanced stages, infusions are offered, sometimes carried out at home after training with the veterinarian.
A very large or infected cyst may require a special procedure, but this situation remains rare.
Treatment depends on the cause and the animal's condition: it must be determined by a veterinarian. No self-medication.
Prevention
The only real prevention is in breeding: do not breed a carrier cat.
Always ask for the parents' screening results before purchasing or adopting a predisposed breed kitten.
Have your cat tested if it belongs to these breeds, even if it is perfectly well: knowing its status allows you to monitor it and act early.
In a carrier cat, an annual renal check-up, then more frequently with age, allows support to begin before signs appear.
Avoid any medication or supplement given without veterinary advice: some are poorly tolerated by fragile kidneys.
Possible complications
Chronic renal failure, usual outcome of the disease.
High blood pressure, with risk of damage to the eyes, brain and heart.
Anemia, linked to the loss of kidney function in the production of red blood cells.
Infection of a cyst or bleeding inside a cyst, less common but painful.
Cysts may also form in the liver in some affected cats.
When to see a veterinarian
Your cat drinks and urinates significantly more than before.
He loses weight or eats less for no obvious reason.
His coat becomes dull and he grooms himself less.
He vomits regularly or seems nauseous.
He belongs to a predisposed breed and has never been screened: make an appointment even if he is well.
He bumps into objects or seems to no longer see: consult without delay, this may indicate excessively high blood pressure.
Prognosis
The disease is present for life and cannot be cured, but its progression is slow: many affected cats live for many years without any signs.
The prognosis depends on the speed at which the kidneys deteriorate, which varies greatly from one cat to another, and the stage at which treatment begins.
Early detection and regular monitoring make it possible to act before symptoms appear and save precious time on quality of life.
Frequently asked questions
Will my carrier cat necessarily get sick?
Cysts are present and will grow, but their impact varies greatly. Some cats develop kidney failure early, others go without signs for a very long time. It is monitoring the functioning of the kidneys that provides useful information.
At what age can we be screened?
Genetic testing can be done at any age, even in a very young kitten. Ultrasound becomes reliable after a few months in predisposed breeds, and its interpretation is all the more certain the older the cat is.
Can we breed an affected cat?
This is not recommended. The disease is transmitted even when only one parent is affected, and part of the litter will be affected. Breeding screening is the only way to reverse the disease in affected breeds.
Does a special diet serve any purpose before the signs appear?
Renal feeding is indicated when kidney function begins to decline, not systematically in a healthy carrier cat. It is your veterinarian who decides the moment, based on the analyzes.
References
AAFP — American Association of Feline Practitioners
Content reviewed by the TunisieVet editorial team · Updated 09 August 2026
AT A GLANCE
Need a veterinarian?
Find a practitioner near you on TunisieVet, with their specialities, hours and contact details.
Find a veterinarianCategories
Affected species
This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for a veterinary consultation. If you have any concerns about your animal's health, consult a veterinarian.
To discover
Related diseases and linked Animalia content.
Rabies
Viral · Vaccine available
Hip dysplasia
Other
Otitis externa
Environmental
Periodontal disease
Other