Cyproheptadine long term for appetite? CRF

My cat is eating with cyproheptadine. Without it he starves himself. The vet had hinted renal failure as labs were "iffy" - "not great" before some dental surgery. After dental surgery didn't make my cat go through more blood work as he HATES the vets. Vet wants to do more blood work and doesn't want to keep my cat on cyproheptadine long term. Does any one have a cat with CRF that is on cyproheptadine long term? The vet has put him on it two (or three times) but whenever my cats stops the medicine he stops eating. He is 17. Hate to euthanize him. Have already spent $600 over the past couple months. Thanks.

My parents' CRF Angel Samson, was on cyproheptadine two times a day, for an appetite stimulant, for the last 4+ years of his life. My personal opinion is, if he isn't eating without it, then obviously he needs it. I would seek a second opinion with a different vet. The consequences of stopping the cyproheptadine would be that he starves to death or ends up with hepatic lipidosis.....neither of which are something that anyone would wish on their beloved pet. Sam lived to be nearly 20 years old. The cyproheptadine was a lifesaver for him. Good luck...you and your kitty are in my prayers.

P.S. I would highly recommend joining the Yahoo!group dedicated to CRF. It is free to join, but you must be a member to post and read the archives. There are thousands of people (9000+ members in this group) who routinely use cyproheptadine with their CRF cats. Here's the link: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Feline-CRF-Support/