Unlike chronic kidney failure, a disease process that progress over time, acute kidney failure is just that, acute meaning that the kidneys are fine one day and in failure the next, there is no slow decline.
Acute kidney failure can happen on top of chronic kidney failure, however, in most cases, acute kidney failure is secondary to toxins like ibuprofen in cats or infections like Lyme disease in dogs.
Unfortunately, acute kidney failure carries a poor prognosis especially without aggressive medical treatment like around the clock hospitalization and diuresis with fluids.
Clinical signs of acute kidney disease are similar to those seen in the chronic form and include inappetence, vomiting, lethargy and increases in thirst and urination.
As always seek veterinary care right away if you are concerned about your furry friend.