Petunia, I'd like your insight on this too. ......
What did you observe in your cats? I've had two cats with severe kidney disease but never realized any neuro symptoms.
some symptoms are related to the build up of toxins and others have to do with the loss of nutrients from peeing them out.
the main thing you'll notice, at least at first, is that improving their hydration and adding supplements that make the nutrients in their food more readily available to them, will also make these signs/symptoms improve
I just recently learned, in my search for answers for Norry, that it's not just diabetic that get neuropathy, those suffering from renal failure get it too.
this is what I've seen in my cats. My first cat Sara was the sickest and the youngest, she was only 7 yrs old when her kidneys started to fail. She would be stumbling around like she was drunk. Twice she just collapsed and had to be rushed to the vet and was put on IV fluids AND given subQ fluids.You could smell ammonia on her breath.
with the other cats it came on more gradually (Snoopy, Mickie, and some fosters)
some symptoms were:
twitching
itchiness
confusion
lethargy, weakness
balance problems (I don't know if this is from weakness or something neurological)
paw shaking (front and back)
jerking movements
as well as the usual wt loss, loss of muscle mass, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, lethargy, increased drinking and urination, at first (in end stage the kidneys don't work at all and they don't put out any urine)
I don't know if this helps at all.
I think the main thing I noticed is that the confusion would improve when the cat was well hydrated and treatment was working to bring their BUN down.
the twitching and jerks improved when they were put on B12 and other supplements
so I'm guessing those symptoms were from peeing out essential nutrients
Nell for example, isn't having as many of the head jerks and paw shaking and twitches since she's been on a supplement. She is in early kidney failure, drinking and urinating more and losing some muscle mass. (not sure if muscle wasting is from the kidneys or just an old cat thing, though) Nell is about 16