Discussion
So we've just found out one of my girlfriends cats has the early stages of kidney failure. Vet has given between 6-24 months. Apparently nothing can be done. He's only 4 and a real character. Absolutely gutted. Is there anything we can do to prolong his quality of life? He's being put on a special diet to hopefully alleviate some symptoms. I'll try and upload a photo of him at some point. Not sure what his little brother will do when he's gone either, they're inseparable 
Well there are a lot of medicines out there to help the kidneys function as well as they can (kidneys can't repair but we can support what is still working)
Four is so young very sad. Renal issues can be congenital so he may have been born with poor kidneys.
Diet is important good quality protein diet with low phosphorus levels, this is where prescription diets really can help, wet renal diet should be given if he will eat it. Make sure he drinks well water fountains, glasses with water dotted around! Whatever vessel is his preference (my cat loved drinking out of a glass by my bed!)
Regular blood samples and urine samples to check how they are doing.
I would ask the Vet about medications available though.
Four is so young very sad
. Renal issues can be congenital so he may have been born with poor kidneys.Diet is important good quality protein diet with low phosphorus levels, this is where prescription diets really can help, wet renal diet should be given if he will eat it. Make sure he drinks well water fountains, glasses with water dotted around! Whatever vessel is his preference (my cat loved drinking out of a glass by my bed!)
Regular blood samples and urine samples to check how they are doing.
I would ask the Vet about medications available though.
http://icatcare.org/advice/cat-health/z-conditions...
This is an excellent website. Scroll down for links to Chronic kidney disease management.
Is her cat any breed or a mix of eg Persian?
Oh and blood pressure should be checked regularly aswell.
This is an excellent website. Scroll down for links to Chronic kidney disease management.
Is her cat any breed or a mix of eg Persian?
Oh and blood pressure should be checked regularly aswell.
Edited by bexVN on Thursday 28th January 13:23
Jasandjules said:
I suspect raw food with no phosphorous etc would assist.
If you are open minded, there may be other options.
Possibly but they will have to do some serious research into it, I wouldn't be happy to suggest this, at least not now, get their head around what is happening start a diet proven to support the kidneys then look into whether raw feeding is a suitable option for them.If you are open minded, there may be other options.
Raw can be surprisingly high in salt which is not helpful in renal distoease.
I have read into homemade Renal diets before for clients, it is obviously doable but it has to be done to particular care to ensure the balance of essential nutrients is correct.
My old mog (Didge)
had kidney failure at a similar age (we think he'd supped some anti-freeze as next doors cat died within 24 hours and the one across the road within 48)
He lost a ton of weight and spent a week getting his kidneys flushed at the vets, but they only gave him 2 weeks at the outside.
Bless his little heart he soldiered on for another four years! He was very skinny and we used to have to leave little bowls of water all around the house for him but seemed to have quality of life.
He went downhill towards the end very rapidly and when he was having trouble standing up we had to do the decent thing.
Broke my heart.
Sorry to hear of your little fella's plight
had kidney failure at a similar age (we think he'd supped some anti-freeze as next doors cat died within 24 hours and the one across the road within 48)He lost a ton of weight and spent a week getting his kidneys flushed at the vets, but they only gave him 2 weeks at the outside.
Bless his little heart he soldiered on for another four years! He was very skinny and we used to have to leave little bowls of water all around the house for him but seemed to have quality of life.
He went downhill towards the end very rapidly and when he was having trouble standing up we had to do the decent thing.
Broke my heart.
Sorry to hear of your little fella's plight
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 28th January 14:24
^^actually that is a very good point. Even for a congenital/ slow developing crf can benefit initially from I/v fluids for 24-48hrs. It is not a long term solution but certainly an option to look into/ discuss.
It seems more common in USA to use sub cut fluids regularly to flush kidneys. This would be for more advanced renal disease. This would have to depend on your cats individual needs and whether he would cope with this option and general quality of life.
It seems more common in USA to use sub cut fluids regularly to flush kidneys. This would be for more advanced renal disease. This would have to depend on your cats individual needs and whether he would cope with this option and general quality of life.
Odd timing, my 12 year old lad has just been diagnosed with early stage kidney failure yesterday, something I only just picked up on after noticing that the water bowl was going down quicker than usual. My vets want to do a urine test as well to confirm the blood test so that's next, and then after that I guessed it would just be keeping an eye on his diet.
After losing his sister in October, I really didn't think I'd have to deal with anything else on the other one so soon. I can imagine exactly how you're feeling right now Kentlad.
After losing his sister in October, I really didn't think I'd have to deal with anything else on the other one so soon. I can imagine exactly how you're feeling right now Kentlad.
Ekona said:
Odd timing, my 12 year old lad has just been diagnosed with early stage kidney failure yesterday, something I only just picked up on after noticing that the water bowl was going down quicker than usual. My vets want to do a urine test as well to confirm the blood test so that's next, and then after that I guessed it would just be keeping an eye on his diet.
After losing his sister in October, I really didn't think I'd have to deal with anything else on the other one so soon. I can imagine exactly how you're feeling right now Kentlad.
It really is a horrible feeling. My sympathies to you. Hopefully both the boys can soldier on for a while. After losing his sister in October, I really didn't think I'd have to deal with anything else on the other one so soon. I can imagine exactly how you're feeling right now Kentlad.
Thanks for all the input guys. Some really good suggestions & i think we're going to look into the option of putting him on a drip, possibly over the weekend.
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