Polycystic Kidney Disease & Odd Behaviour
Discussion
Zelda, our 5 year old Maine Coon mix took a turn for the worse a fortnight ago. She has never gorged on food and usually nibbles small amounts throughout the day. We noticed she was losing weight and after a weekend of elevated and more frequent meowing, we decided to take her to the vets to see if there was an issue. It wasn't that long ago that she had her annual check up and booster shots.
Suffice to say, we were absolutely devastated that upon the results of a blood test and an ultra scan, it was discovered that Zelda is in stage 4 kidney failure due to a genetic disorder known as polycystic kidney disease. Essentially, 70% of her kidneys are cysts. The vet has given her 1-3 weeks to live and that was that. She came home from the ultra scan looking as though she was about to depart there and then. It was heartbreaking and we spent the entire day by herside.
We don't give up fast in this household though. After some research, we bought various medicines, subcutaneous fluids and syringes in order to home medicate. According to a specialist group on Facebook regarding chronic kidney disease in cats (including PKD), these means can lengthen the life of a cat for 6 months to more than 4 years, and there were plenty of success stories to read!
We've been administering these medicines for the last week and Zelda has really perked up! She is meowing, eating, grooming, going to the toilet; a transformation!
However.
She is meowing constantly to go outside. Both of our cats are house cats, but we do walk them on a leash most days. We also have a large catio being installed this weekend! For the last two days, it's been obsessive. More so than usual. She managed to escape last night - via an open vent in our kitchen. It looks like an almost impossible escape route, if it weren't for me seeing her do it! I found her this morning soaking wet.
I brought her in, she went and escaped again! Found her under one of our cars. Brought her in, blocked off access to the vent as best as possible, she escaped again! This time, upon retrieving her from the garden, she bit my wife hard. Lots of blood. Highly unusual. I'm now going to close off the vent, now that the rain has stopped and I can safely access the roof.
If it wasn't raining, I'd just let her out. Perhaps we should just let her out? I'm concerned she may not return, or will not return in time for her medication. A friend has suggested she might be behaving this way if she spotted prey (she has seen a field mouse recently) and it's become an obsession to catch it. I thought - pessimistically - that perhaps she is trying to hide away somewhere to pass away.
Can anyone shed any light on the above?
Our current vet has decided that there is little else we can do for her - other than to put her to sleep. We had decided to take her to a different vet for a second opinion in 6 months time, whereby they could take bloods and confirm creatine/phosphorus/iron levels in order for us to tailor her medication accordingly. Perhaps we need a second opinion now? The trouble is, she absolutely hates the vets and will attack!
This might sound like the cat from hell, but before diagnosis, she was loving, affectionate, cuddly (on her terms), chirped and gave us plenty of bumps ...
Any information is much appreciated! Thanks!
Suffice to say, we were absolutely devastated that upon the results of a blood test and an ultra scan, it was discovered that Zelda is in stage 4 kidney failure due to a genetic disorder known as polycystic kidney disease. Essentially, 70% of her kidneys are cysts. The vet has given her 1-3 weeks to live and that was that. She came home from the ultra scan looking as though she was about to depart there and then. It was heartbreaking and we spent the entire day by herside.
We don't give up fast in this household though. After some research, we bought various medicines, subcutaneous fluids and syringes in order to home medicate. According to a specialist group on Facebook regarding chronic kidney disease in cats (including PKD), these means can lengthen the life of a cat for 6 months to more than 4 years, and there were plenty of success stories to read!
We've been administering these medicines for the last week and Zelda has really perked up! She is meowing, eating, grooming, going to the toilet; a transformation!
However.
She is meowing constantly to go outside. Both of our cats are house cats, but we do walk them on a leash most days. We also have a large catio being installed this weekend! For the last two days, it's been obsessive. More so than usual. She managed to escape last night - via an open vent in our kitchen. It looks like an almost impossible escape route, if it weren't for me seeing her do it! I found her this morning soaking wet.
I brought her in, she went and escaped again! Found her under one of our cars. Brought her in, blocked off access to the vent as best as possible, she escaped again! This time, upon retrieving her from the garden, she bit my wife hard. Lots of blood. Highly unusual. I'm now going to close off the vent, now that the rain has stopped and I can safely access the roof.
If it wasn't raining, I'd just let her out. Perhaps we should just let her out? I'm concerned she may not return, or will not return in time for her medication. A friend has suggested she might be behaving this way if she spotted prey (she has seen a field mouse recently) and it's become an obsession to catch it. I thought - pessimistically - that perhaps she is trying to hide away somewhere to pass away.
Can anyone shed any light on the above?
Our current vet has decided that there is little else we can do for her - other than to put her to sleep. We had decided to take her to a different vet for a second opinion in 6 months time, whereby they could take bloods and confirm creatine/phosphorus/iron levels in order for us to tailor her medication accordingly. Perhaps we need a second opinion now? The trouble is, she absolutely hates the vets and will attack!
This might sound like the cat from hell, but before diagnosis, she was loving, affectionate, cuddly (on her terms), chirped and gave us plenty of bumps ...
Any information is much appreciated! Thanks!
Hi, this is a such an awful situation for you. I am going to offer you an opinion as a vet nurse not a pet owner.
Stage 4 kidney disease is a grim prognosis. Have they done an SMDA test as welll as a protein /creatinine ratio test
Whatever the results you also have to observe your pets behaviour
Many will say, if they are still eating..... But it is more than that. If their behaviour is exhibiting extreme distress in other aspects of their life eating is not the only way to check quality of life.
Your cat is a young, a second opinion is sensible but just remember to consider what you are putting them through.
Also, yes 2nd opinion now and ask about gabapentin as a calming medicine before a vet visit and safe.
Stage 4 kidney disease is a grim prognosis. Have they done an SMDA test as welll as a protein /creatinine ratio test
Whatever the results you also have to observe your pets behaviour
Many will say, if they are still eating..... But it is more than that. If their behaviour is exhibiting extreme distress in other aspects of their life eating is not the only way to check quality of life.
Your cat is a young, a second opinion is sensible but just remember to consider what you are putting them through.
Also, yes 2nd opinion now and ask about gabapentin as a calming medicine before a vet visit and safe.
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