Has Anyone Had To Go Through A Cat With Chronic Renal Failure?

11/25/10 | Me

[Lemondropkid31]

My cat Annie has Kidney disease. She is on Prescription Hills K/D for Kidney Health both dry and wet food and she is doing great. Her levels on her blood tests actually went back to almost normal. She is 14 years old. I would suggest that and see if that helps some.

I am sorry to hear this. I can’t imagine loosing my cat :o(

[BobNative]

I am so very sorry for this situation!

[TheOldLady]

My Rocket has CRF, but he’s only 15. We give him Hip Action treats for his arthritis, three pieces every other day. We find that if he gets them every day, he tires of them, so we alternate days, and he eats them.

We feed him Fancy Feast, Classic only, no soy, no fish, no grains (he has allergies too). There are only about five different flavors, but it seems to be all right by him and our three other cats.

We dumped our old, incompetent vet and now go to an AHA vet. When we brought Rocky in the first time back in April, this vet gave him “months” to live, but after the regimen we established, his last tests (from last Saturday) showed weight gain and a normalization of his blood analysis to the point that his prognosis is “years” because the progression of his kidney failure has been “halted.” (Quotes from the vet.)

He gets food on demand. Whenever he asks for food, I feed him, 24/7. He gets 150 ml subcutaneous saline once a week, and fortunately, he’s a drinker, so his little face is in the water bowl much more often than our precious first cat who died of CRF.

I hope that this helps you.

[NoGrayZone]

"However, consider adopting a new kitty. All of out three cats are from animal shelters."

I actually have 3. Kitty is my eldest. They are all "throw aways". The last one Mimi was a stray that decided to stay in our backyard (probably because I gave them crunchies).

I took her, well him, in last January because I could no longer bear the guilt of having her outside. I took her to the vet to have all tests and shots (I did get all my cats their immunizations shots once, when I first got them).

But Kitty was my first responsibility since I left home and has been with me for almost 19 years now (12/9 is our anniversary).

[NoGrayZone]

I'm 40. I've had pets all my life and each time any of them died I was devastated. But Kitty is different. I left a bad home when I was 19 and got Kitty when I was 21. She was my first "responsibility", besides myself. She has been through so much with me and for such a long period of time.

[NoGrayZone]

Awwww, I’m so glad you have your little one!! How can anyone look into their eyes and say no!!

[NoGrayZone]

She’s still eating and drinking. She pukes a lot when she does her poo, probably from straining.

Then afterwards, she goes and eats and drinks then climbs on top of her pillow and washes her face before she settles down.

The one thing I have noticed is that she is not cleaning her entire body like she used to. I know that is a very bad sign.

[NoGrayZone]

Another FReeper suggested the same. I will stop by my vets tomorrow and pick it up. Thank you!

[mupcat]

The last time I was at the vet, she said she would take Kitty overnight, but would not again unless she had a rabbi shot

Thanks for the explanation. I guess what I'm confused about is although I'm sure after reading your thoughts about the shot, you'd never continue them, it sounds like there is some reason the vet wants her in the office overnight, and if that's the case, then just having the shot one time doesn't sound as if it would be that bad---especially considering your baby is in a very precarious state anyway. You'll do what's best though, I'm sure.

[BenKenobi]

Lost a dog and a cat so far this year. Cat passed away than the dog the next month.

Have a young cat though.

[CAluvdubya]

Not saying it is but the same symptoms apply to Feline Diabetes. I had two with FD and gave them insulin shots.

You really need to take your baby to the vet because whether it's FD of CRF, there are things to do that will really make kitty a lot more comfortable.

With CRF, you might be able to give Subqutaneous fluids, which makes your baby feel so much better.

My Tortie is 18 and she has Hyper Thyroid. The same symptoms can also be attributed to hyper T. Again, there are meds which will kitty feel much better.

I may have missed it if someone else gave you all this info (I haven't read the entire thread yet) but I wish you and you baby well. We never like to see our kitty companions in pain!

[duckman]

I have had several Siamese cats with renal failure. I have had to give them the equivalent of dialysis several times a week. The cats were 14 years old and from the same litter. Each cat developed renal failure just after the previous one passed on. I did this procedure for about 4 years. Its simply a water bag, obtained from the vet, with a very sharp needle and performing a sub-q water transfer, flushing the kidneys with water. If you have the time to do this check with the vet. Its not a pretty sight when she is ready to pass on. Best to put her down while she still has some dignity. IMHO

[CAluvdubya]

One more thing about not using the litterbox.....Cats will associate pain with the litter box and that is one reason they don't want to use it.

When my Tortie has a Urinary Tract Infection, she will not use the box.

When my Diabetic didn't used the box, he flooded it, but sometimes he wouldn't use the box (until his blood glucose levels were more under control)

As I said, all three diseases have the same symptoms that you mentioned so w/o testing for them, you don't know for sure that's truly CRF.

Maybe you could find another vet that you like? The cost of these diseases is a little high initially, but the internet guided me towards the best people, who then led me to the best money saving indeas. Worth a try?

[pj_627]

“......I feel so guilty when I get angry about having to clean up her “messes”, which finally made me do the old towel thing.”.......

Hey I understand that, have had to fight anger within myself as well. I HATE messes. But she’s not doing it on purpose...I know that. I know that when a kitty, who in the past ALWAYS used the box properly, starts NOT doing so.... that it is a sign of two things....physical illness or senility.

So I strive for the patience I’d use with an elderly HUMAN..... struck with dementia and a decaying body. A human being deserves to be treated with compassion and dignity during the last phase of life...... and our kitties and doggies also deserve understanding and love. I try to give it, as I know you do.

But hey, we ARE human..... and this stage of the life cycle is as difficult....if not MORE so, for us.... who have to watch and wait and make decisions.....as it is for the kitty. It frays our nerves....because we care...we love. You are NOT being selfish when you’ve reacted with displeasure to the litter problem. Like I said, we/you are human.

Sounds like your little girl still has some pleasure in her life. I think when the time comes to decide, you’ll know.... and you’ll make that decision with HER in mind.

Okay, I’ve waxed philosophical enough for one day. There’s turkey waiting. I hope you have a lovely day, in spite of your worries. There’s life and there’s hope.

pattyjo

[Lemondropkid31]

Your welcome. I hope it works!

[EBH]

Dearest NoGrayZone,

I have a cat that is diabetic and visit a forum called felinediabetes.com and CRF often seems to be a complication of diabetes. In my heart I’ve already resolved that when the time comes for Atlas...and his time will come...I will not be selfish.

Yesterday the most horrible thing happened though. My other cat, my precious Krueger. The lap cat, the naptime buddy cat, the one to greet me when I get home friend, the snuggle up by the fireplace feline...was sick. He had seemed fine just wasn’t keeping his food down. So, a call to the vet, led to a vet trip, and that led to an x-ray to see what was going on. A tumor filled his abdominal cavity, there was no stool in his colon...the mass encased his entire intestines and blocked off all food passage.

Krueger was not fine, was not going to be fine, and the vet said he was not in pain, but uncomfortable right now. Without food being able to pass through his body would begin to shut down this weekend. While Krueger appeared full of energy...in hours this would change. Surgery and chemotherapy would only prolong his life a few months if successful...at what level of quality one really wouldn’t know. Krueger was most likely at Stage 4 lymphoma....

I wasn’t ready to let Krueger go, I’m still not, but I did. The doctor said Krueger wouldn’t know I was there, but I told the vet...no, I have to be there, hold him, talk to him. Krueger was still under gas in the x-ray and as I tearfully sobbed his situation to him his ears moved to listen, his paws tried to knit to my touch...I told him he would not suffer and with that I let him go.

Today I am still not OK, my very best feline friend isn’t here today. I believe though God has one of the best parts of His creation snuggled in His lap today.

Get your kitty to the vet, ringers lactate will be needed with the CRF. The vet can teach you to do this at home for your cat. It doesn’t need to be done in the office every time. You have time to say your good bye, take it for now.

This page will give you an overview of the treatment of CRF/Diabetic kitties and includes the links to the CRF Support List and the CRF Food pages. http://www.indulgedfurries.com/petdiabe ... ailure.htm

Another great site for explaining CRF (thank you Steph & Cuddles!): http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_ch ... ilure.html

Of course, there’s the main CRF caregivers site at: http://www.felinecrf.com/

And for comprehensive CRF information or for all you CRF kitties across the pond (or meow with a British accent), go to this link as well or just go anyway - it’s the best site for CRF info:
http://www.felinecrf.org

Want to find fluids, needles, etc. at the best prices? Go to this great CRF Supplies page at: http://members.verizon.net/~vze2r6qt/supplies/

Thanks to Steph & Cuddles, here’s a fantastic site for learning to administer SQ fluids! http://www.weirdstuffwemake.com/weird/s ... juice.html

And here are some other SQ fluid links given to us by Chris & Cleo:
Videos on Administering SubQ Fluids:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmaNe1YaUrk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4Ta537YEOU [Mar Vista Animal Medical Center]

Acupressure trick for cat stressed during SubQs:
http://www.felinecrf.org/giving_sub-qs_ ... _peg_trick

Many thanks to www.felinediabetes.com for the links. http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=30349&p=313334&hilit=crf#p313334

[kalee]

We made the choice to put our cocker spaniel to sleep last Fri. It was a very difficult decision. She was elderly, blind and had cancer. To have kept her here would have been selfish on out part, she was suffering.
I will pray for you and your cat, I know how hard this is.

[gardencatz]

I had a cat with renal failure. One of the mistakes people make is thinking they have to buy a special kind of food, especially since most cats really hate the recommended food. Not only that, but since it’s a kibble it robs their body of hydration they desperately need. Even in healthy cats dry foods can cause dehydration. Observe how often a healthy cat will head to the water bowl after crunching on kibble. Feed your cat whatever she’ll eat. Moist food is a great choice and most cats like it. Keeping weight on her is vital and it’s easier to do if she’s given food she loves. Give her fish oil everyday as it adds fat and antioxidants. Just poke a hole in the capsule and squirt it on her food. I had my vet show me how to give my cat fluids subcutaneously. It was hard the first couple of time but seeing how much better she felt was worth it.

I also bought Dr. Pitcairn’s book and made his recipe for CRF cats. Here it is if you want to try it yourself. If your cat will eat it raw that’s better for her if not you can bake it for about 20 mins BEFORE mixing in the vitamins. I just bought a basic cat vitamin with taurine in it because it has most of the individual vits listed in the recipe (cats are obligate carnivores and need taurine to survive). And I would add fish oil to each serving. Raw meat is the only natural source for taurine so it must be supplemented, especially in a cat whose system is already compromised.

1 1/3 cups ground chicken, turkey or lean heart
4 cups cooked white rice
4 eggs
2 tablespoons cold-pressed safflower, soy or corn oil (I actually used olive oil)
1,500 milligrams calcium
1/8 teaspoon iodized salt
1/8 teaspoon potassium chloride (optional)
1 teaspoon parsley, finely grated carrot or other vegetable (optional)
5,000 IU vitamin A
Taurine and other cat vitamins (about 5 days’ worth)
50 milligram level B complex (or 10 milligrams per day)
2,500 milligrams vitamin C

Grind the vitamins. I have an old coffee grinder I used to grind them.
Mix everything together in a large bowl.

Good luck. I know how hard this is.

Cindie

[gardencatz]

I’m with you. Every cat I’ve had that wasn’t vaccinated has lived well into his/her late teens. Not so the ones I had vaccinated. I even lost a cat to feline leukemia AFTER he was vaccinated. My older cat, Alice, lived in the same house never had the vaccine and lived to be 17.

Cindie

[Pagey]

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