Posted on 11/25/2010 8:54:14 AM PST by NoGrayZone
I knew something was wrong several years before it showed up in tests. Even took him to a university hospital, but apparently they can lose 70% of their function before it shows up.
I lost him way too early, at 14 years old. He had several small strokes which he seemed to deal with okay, but then had a big one and I had to put him to sleep. Broke my heart. I still miss him.
Losing a pet is never easy; all we can do is limit their suffering. I'm so sorry. Do you have photos of her?
You have absolutely no idea how much that means to me. It does feel lonely and knowing you and so many others are here and have had to go through the same is very comforting.
Thank you for your kind words.
I am so sorry for your loss. These past 4 days I just keep trying to think how on earth am I supposed to live without her?
I think our agony is probably much worse than theirs is.
It's well documented. Basic science stuff.
/johnny
You may or may not know about this CRF support group. It is excellent.
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Feline-CRF-Support/
My heart goes out to you.
Thank you so much and to all my fellow FReepers. You have no idea how comforting it is to hear your words and advice and also to know I am not alone.
The Power of the Dog by Rudyard Kipling There is sorrow enough in the natural way From men and women to fill our day; And when we are certain of sorrow in store, Why do we always arrange for more? Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware Of giving your heart to a dog to tear. Buy a pup and your money will buy Love unflinching that cannot lie-- Perfect passsion and worship fed By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head. Nevertheless it is hardly fair To risk your heart to a dog to tear. When the fourteen years which Nature permits Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits, And the vet's unspoken prescription runs To lethal chambers or loaded guns, Then you will find--it's your own affair-- But ... you've given your heart to a dog to tear. When the body that lived at your single will, With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!) When the spirit that answered your every mood Is gone--wherever it goes--for good, You will discover how much you care, And will give your heart to a dog to tear. We've sorrow enough in the natural way, When it comes to burying Christian clay. Our loves are not given, but only lent, At compound interest of cent per cent. Though it is not always the case, I believe, That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve: For, when debts are payable, right or wrong, A short-term loan is as bad as a long-- So why in--Heaven (before we are there) Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?
The treatments were not that expensive. I seem to remember about 80 dollars (this was back in the early ‘90s) The first treatment got her about 6 additional months. Each subsequent “dialysis” lasted a shorter period of time - I guess because her kidney function continued declining.
Then the toxins build up again and she needed another treatment. The cat was in and out of the vet quickly, taking 5 or 6 hours, if I remember correctly - for the entire fill and drain process.
There was also a change of diet to reduce the metabolic toxins and reduce the load on the kidneys.
When all was said and done, we got her another 2 years or so, probably at a cost of around 400-500 dollars.
Our vet had a theory that soybeans in cat food produced a lot of toxins that were hard on the cat kidneys, and since that time I have read cat food labels and tried to minimize the amount of soybean meal they eat.
I now feed a Diamond brand dry food, and it has no corn, soy, beef, or wheat. It is a chicken and rice formula, and costs about $20 for an 12 pound bag at Tractor Supply.
Since being on this food, my cats have been especially healthy. I believe it has reduced the number of skin and digestive problems, and they appear to thrive on it.
As for your cat, 19 years may not be enough for you, but this really has been a good long life for your kitty. And there does come a point where we need to let them go. But maybe you aren't at this point yet. You might want to ask your vet about this procedure, and maybe get a second opinion. I apologize for not having more details, but it has been a long time.
Good luck with your kitty cat.
I had a cat with CRF & treated her from age 18+ through to 20+, with a saline solution (similar to the lacted ringer's solution that Glennb51 described using in #13). That ensured that the cat had sufficient water, and also the critically important electrolytes. The solution was prescribed by my vet; as was a special low-protein diet food (also obtainable from veterinarians.
BTW, from this ordeal, I learned that cats typically don't drink enough. If they don't get enough fluids, that hurts the kidneys, and can lead to CRF. They can get part of their fluids from soft cat food; but, if you feed them kibble, they need to drink more. I also learned that cats like to drink flowing water. The Bengal breed won't drink still water at all. I now have one of those cat drinking-water fountains. My cats drink more water as a result. I consider the fountain essential, to help prevent another case of CRF.
Yes. It’s terribke and hopeless. Time to put her to sleep and end her suffering.
Are you sure that your cat is not diabetic? We have an older cat, and the weak back legs and hovering over the water bowl are similar symptoms. Our cat gets daily insulin injections now and doing much better. He actually went into remission for a while and did not need the insulin. Strength has returned to his back legs. We feed him Purina M/D cat food, Evo grain free cat food and canned food at least once a day. If possible, you should try to get your cat completely off dry food and stick with the high quality canned food as much as possible.
We had a sweet little girl kitty, a tortie point Himalayan who was 16 years old.
Last year she had the exact same symptoms.
She had renal failure and nothing could be done.
We cried and it broke our hearts, but we had to let her go or else let her suffer. Not to mention the mess in the house.
One month later we lost another kitty to complications of dental disease. That kitty was 17 years old.
This is so hard I know. I just said a little prayer for your cat. It is the hardest thing to go thru. I have had cats in the past. They lived a long time as well. It is never long enough with our pets. Prayers for sure!
She will let you know when she wants to go!
We have a 17 year old Maine Coon that looks just like your kitty.
I had to respond because you described the personality of our little old guy.
He has always been the 1st to welcome a new kitty too. People love him.
He is really showing his age now. When we lose him we will really mourn.
Thank you. I know 19 years is quite a long time for cats, but I do wish it were longer. I truly believed Kitty would live to be at least 25 years old.
Her decline seemed to come on so quickly, I just haven’t had enough time to come to grips with it.
It’s very selfish of me, that I know. I just can’t let go yet. I will do everything every FReeper has posted here. I love her too much not to try anything and everything.
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