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- #41
You are right, those are serious numbers, I have heard of worse.
One number that can be addressed immediately is that high phosphorous, adding a phosphorous binder to her food (be it food she eats, or in a gel cap, or mixed in the food you assist-feed her) will help bring that down (plus feeding foods lower in phosphorous content. This is addressed on the site I gave, just look for the lab results section, and look for phosphorous).
Yes, many crf kitties have issues with stomach acid, it gives them nausea and a decreased appetite...pepcid is one of two meds that I know of folks using.
I would expect sub-q fluids at home to be prescribed, a phos binder, an antacid, a prescription food...if you cat won't eat any of the prescription foods that your vet would want your cat on, you can look for a comparable non-prescription food (dry or canned) and run that by your vet.
Once you have a regimen of meds to give, a food that is working, are used to doing sub-q fluids, it really does not take a huge amount of time per day. I was able to give Patrick his fluids in less than 5 minutes, even when assist-feeding him, it took 10 minutes or so each feeding, and then he went back to cat napping or snuggling with me etc.
I do not mean to minimalize that there is stress with this, it is difficult emotionally dealing with a beloved pet with a chronic illness, but I am here to tell you that there are many who are in this position and whose cats have lived with crf for years.
If your cat is a candidate (calcium level must be below a certain number - below 10 or 11), I have used, and am using at present with all 3 of my kitties dealing with this, Calcitriol (a vitamin d supplement). It has its pros and cons, I've only had my cats experience a positive result from it.
I believe in my first note to begin this thread, I gave the link to jmpeerson's food lists - these list the phosphorous/protein/calorie (and more) values for many canned and dry cat foods. I would strongly suggest using this list.
I have a multi-cat household, I managed to do Patricks care for almost 4 years while building a business...it can be done.
Sending you sleepy vibes - get some rest. What is right for you and your cat will become clear. The single best bit of advice I have been given is to treat the cat, not the numbers. If your cat responds to treatment, still has that spark of life, wants to be here, that is what you look for, more than how much the numbers improved. Imo.
One number that can be addressed immediately is that high phosphorous, adding a phosphorous binder to her food (be it food she eats, or in a gel cap, or mixed in the food you assist-feed her) will help bring that down (plus feeding foods lower in phosphorous content. This is addressed on the site I gave, just look for the lab results section, and look for phosphorous).
Yes, many crf kitties have issues with stomach acid, it gives them nausea and a decreased appetite...pepcid is one of two meds that I know of folks using.
I would expect sub-q fluids at home to be prescribed, a phos binder, an antacid, a prescription food...if you cat won't eat any of the prescription foods that your vet would want your cat on, you can look for a comparable non-prescription food (dry or canned) and run that by your vet.
Once you have a regimen of meds to give, a food that is working, are used to doing sub-q fluids, it really does not take a huge amount of time per day. I was able to give Patrick his fluids in less than 5 minutes, even when assist-feeding him, it took 10 minutes or so each feeding, and then he went back to cat napping or snuggling with me etc.
I do not mean to minimalize that there is stress with this, it is difficult emotionally dealing with a beloved pet with a chronic illness, but I am here to tell you that there are many who are in this position and whose cats have lived with crf for years.
If your cat is a candidate (calcium level must be below a certain number - below 10 or 11), I have used, and am using at present with all 3 of my kitties dealing with this, Calcitriol (a vitamin d supplement). It has its pros and cons, I've only had my cats experience a positive result from it.
I believe in my first note to begin this thread, I gave the link to jmpeerson's food lists - these list the phosphorous/protein/calorie (and more) values for many canned and dry cat foods. I would strongly suggest using this list.
I have a multi-cat household, I managed to do Patricks care for almost 4 years while building a business...it can be done.
Sending you sleepy vibes - get some rest. What is right for you and your cat will become clear. The single best bit of advice I have been given is to treat the cat, not the numbers. If your cat responds to treatment, still has that spark of life, wants to be here, that is what you look for, more than how much the numbers improved. Imo.
