Kidney failure (vibes, please)

Siamie got sick Friday night. She would urinate a little bit and then start vomiting. We debated over a trip to the emergency animal hospital, which is a good 40 minute drive, and decided against it. She hates to travel and we felt the stress would be too much for her. We took her to the vet first thing in the morning and her bloodwork showed the beginning stages of kidney failure. The vet explained that she would be very thirsty and drink a lot of water (which she has been doing). I insisted he give her something for nausea since she'd had a rough night, and she slept most of Saturday. Now she seems to be feeling a little better. I am so sad, though. She is over 20 years old. She only weighs 5 lbs now. We bought special food for her, but she doesn't like it. (The other cats love it, we've had to hide it from them, because it is really especially for cats with kidney problems.) The vet said her labs are at the lower end of the scale as far as kidney failure goes. DH and I are just very worried. She seems so frail.

I'm so glad you got her to the vet and got something for the nausea. Be sure to read the CRF sticky at the top of this forum for lots of great info.

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=119727

You might also find the Yahoo group for CRF kitties helpful.

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/F...guid=353539644

Did your vet do a blood panel to check her BUN and Creatinine numbers?

I'm so sorry. I hope she feels better. 20 years old! You must have been taking great care of her, that and some good genes! I hope all my kitties get to 20 at least.
and for you and your kitty.

healthy

I can give you advice that might help you.
My 17.8 year old Coco has CRF.
Can you please post her numbers.
What food is she on.
My Coco hates most Renal foods but likes the Purina N/F.
Are you doing fluids?
My coco is only 5.8 pounds now and I thought I was going to lose her on Oct 24th because she got bad.
It turned out to be her bp again.
I can tell you about treatments that have helped Coco if you want the info.

Originally Posted by mews2much

My 17.8 year old Coco has CRF.

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Another cat with amazing genes and amazing care! You go Jackie!

Sending Good vibes, a hug and well wishes your way.

Vibes and prayers for Siamie!

Wow 20 is an excellent age and I am amazed in england there are no treatments for kidney failure, you have so many options over there, giving you great vibes and you do all you can for your kitty.xx

Thank you all so much for your vibes and advice. Siamie seems to be perking up a little bit. She has gone out on the porch a few times, which is something she enjoys doing. I don't know what her specific lab values were, but the vet did say they not nearly as high as many of the cats he sees with renal problems. I also asked him if she could continue to have a few shrimp whenever we have it for dinner and he said it wouldn't be a problem. I will try her on the Purina renal food; Siamie just doesn't like the Iams we bought at the vet's. And the other cats got into it and they all had some intestinal issues, to put it nicely. Someone (Daisy...though I can't prove it...tore into the bag while we weren't home). Isn't it odd that the cat I want to like that food is the only one that isn't crazy in love with it?

Oops! I just looked at the bag and the renal food is not Iams; it's Hill's Prescription Diet.

With this issue ... what food is relative to MAKING sure food is eaten

Like Sharky said, with kidney kitties sometimes it's just more important that they're eating SOMETHING than kidney food. You might try mixing the new and the old and see if she'll eat it that way. Also, watch her for her energy level, litter box output, and water and food intake.