Urgent CRF diagnosis. Vet recommends euthanasia. Devastated

How old is your kitty? Has he been diagnosed previously with chronic renal insufficiency or is this a sudden thing? Has the vet done anything to help him, like put him on IV fluids? What does the rest of his lab work look like (ie USG, phosphorus, BUN, potassium, etc)?

 

Depending on the situation, I've heard of many cats that do indeed bounce back after some intense fluid therapy, although 10 is extremely high for creatinine. I'm just trying to find out if he's in acute renal failure due to something toxic, or the end stages of chronic renal failure.

Have you looked through this thread CRF - Chronic Renal Failure:links and experiences with?  It has a lot of information regarding CRF.

If it were my cat, I would start intensive treatment immediately, and then depending on how he responds, consider euthanasia.

Your cat will let you know when it's time for him to go.

Vibes for you and your baby cat!!!

Hi there, sorry you are going through this... Seems to me your kitty is not telling you its time to go yet... I would not let go without a fight, not way. No way a vet is recommending euthanasia for one of my babies, who is playing, eating, drinking and full of love. Me, Carolina, and I can only speak for myself here, would start treatment ASAP and walk right out for a second opinion- would find another vet who is willing to put on a fight with me.
Again, that's just me. If my baby doesn't respond to the treatment and starts suffering too much, then we cross that bridge... But not without a fight.
good luck to you and your baby


Sent from my BlackBerry 8900 using Tapatalk

Hi dandan, welcome to the forum even though it's crisis that brings you here.

 

Many older cats are dealing with some loss of kidney function...and, many are able to carry on despite this. Kidney "failure" is a bit of a misnomen...usually it is not complete failure but a reduction in function - often this can be managed by treatments that help balance a system that has gone "out of wack".

 

I'm going to give you a couple of links to a very reputable website about kidney failure (it's recognized by The American Association of Feline Practitioners). The first one deals with the very common recommendation given by most Veterinarians of euthanasia. It's important to remember that most Vets are generalists (and "old school" ones at that) and cannot be expected to delve too far into the specifics of any one condition, nor keep on top of leading edge treatments for each. So, here's you're first 3-paragraph quick read http://www.felinecrf.org/just_diagnosed.htm#euthanasia_recommended

 

Sorry if it sounds like I'm contradicting your Vet, but, the facts are that most cats with renal insufficiency are NOT IN PAIN...that fact was covered off in the middle paragraph of the reference I gave you. So, in all probability, no need for painkillers. (I find it a bit shameful, frankly, that a Vet would have suggested that.) Because it was put forward like that, I think I'd be looking for a new Vet - preferably a cat-only clinic - if I were in your shoes.

 

Now, just because she (your Vet) has never seen a cat bounce back from such high numbers (perhaps she's never given them a chance to do that!), you can have a chance to read about many cats who have indeed bounced back. From that same site: http://www.felinecrf.org/success_stories.htm

 

There are specialized support groups online for almost every chronic feline health condition. The woman who is responsible for the website I referenced above also runs a practical support group where you can get info/advice 24/7 365 days a year...if you want to check it out, this page describes it and tells how to join it http://www.felinecrf.org/tanyas_support_group.htm

 

Hoping this will be helpful...thinking of you both

Wow...you have gotten fabulous advice here. They are correct, NOT your vet. Vets have zero emotional attachments to our pets, we have a reason to fight and insider observation on our cat's health. NOOOOOO....do not put that baby down. Your kitty will tell you when it is time. If he looks comfortable and acting like his life is okay, then enjoy your time with him. If you have the financial option, get him the best treatment that you can and get another vet immediately. I have had good ones and cold ones. To your vet, your baby is just numbers on paper.

   I have had to put down several kitties in the last few years, unfortunately just lost one yesterday to FIP. I knew what to do when the time came. If you have done all that you can, your gut will know it so follow your instincts. If he looks to be in a fair amount of pain or heavy discomfort and options are just to keep him alive to be with him, then it's time to let him go for his peace. If not and he is happy and eating, then don't take one opinion to put him down. Let him be his normal self and I hope it works out great for both of you.

I am replying a few days after you posted, so I am not sure what is going on with your kitty currently...but I hope things are going well? Have you made it to another vet?

 

Last year my 1 yr old cat Joey started throwing up each time he ate for a couple days...then stopped eating. We took him to the vet and were told his creatinine level was very high and kidney function was very low. Joeys creatinine level was 7.8 when tested at our regular vet and our regular vet suggested taking Joey to the e-vet for the weekend to get IV fluid treatment for the weekend to try and flush the kidneys. Joey went in on Friday night to the e-vet, and was hooked up for IV fluids. We went back the next morning to try and get him to eat, then again the next evening when they tested his levels again. His creatinine after 24 hours of fluids went down to 7.6 which was still concerning because normal level is 0-3. The e-vet told us at that point that if after 24 hours of fluid, the levels only drop that little....that they didn't expect much recovery and to basically prepare for his levels to not go back down to normal. My husband and I spent a lot of time figuring out how we could do sub q fluids at home and what we could do to help Joey live as long as possible. The next morning we visited the e-vet again and got Joey to eat...and that night, after 48 hours in the e-vet, his levels went back down to normal.

The e-vet was shocked because they didn't think it would....we checked his levels again at our regular vet a few days later and they were still normal. With Joey, it seems like he had some sort of kidney blockage that caused his problems. It was a costly weekend, but it saved my cat.

Two years ago one of my husbands cats who was 7 yrs old got really sick and when we went to the vet (a different one) they said his kidneys were failing and recommended euthenasia. We didn't know any better....they said we COULD spend 1000 to have him on fluids for the weekend but they couldnt guarantee that it would even help him at all and they didn't believe it would. We basically let them talk us into euthenasia as the best most humane option for our cat, and we have regretted it since. This vet didn't even tell us anything about his kidney levels, just that there was no function. If I could take it back, I would have tried to get as much information as possible, find out all of our options and even see a different vet instead of letting this vet talk us into putting the cat to sleep. After that experience we switched vets and I was so happy with the vet I took Joey to last year for all they did and how instead of even mentioning putting Joey to sleep they first discussed treating him. We did spend over 1000 at the e-vet the weekend we took Joey so it can be expensive but if you do take your kitty to another vet, talk to them about any type of treatment options, if they think there are any.

I am sorry about your kitty. However--- when my 16+ year old cat was diagnosed with CRF in June, her Creatinine was 9.8 and BUN was 208. We did daily sub-fluids, medications and supplements.

One month later her Creatinine was 3.1 and BUN was 58. So I would not count your cat out just yet, it is not impossible for him to improve!

 

I'm not sure what Sneakers current levels are but it is around 5+ months later and she is doing pretty well, although she is still quite thin... She is still on fluids and medications but the fluids are now every other day.

Just sending prayers/vibes to you and your kitty. I don't have any experience (knock wood) on CRF.... but you came to the right place for advice . I really hope your kitty has improved with the intensive treatment

I am devastated for you. My cat is sick and last night I had a dream he was dying and I was laying beside him stroking him till he passed. And it was the worst feeling in the world. I awoke crying. So I can't imagine how you are feeling. All I can say is doing what you can for your baby, as long as they aren't going to suffer. 

Sending good thoughts to you and your baby.

I am glad he is now being treated and his numbers are going down - this is great! He is probably not drinking as much as he really doesn't need as much water.... This often happens to kitties who go on fluid therapy - they are getting their hydration through the fluids, so they don't need nearly as much water.... Is he eating all wet food now? Because if he is, then he will really probably not drink at all....
Pinch the back of his back - on his scruff - see if it returns flat really quickly. If it does, he is probably well hydrated.
The stress of your trip, the trips to the vet, etc, might have brought on a cold - totally unrelated.... This might also be the reason why he is lethargic.... L-Lysine might work if the cold is herpes related, and increasing his immune-system overall.
I would also advise you to put him on some probiotics as soon as you are done with the antibiotics, to take care of his digestive system....

For now, I would make sure that he keeps eating (make sure he gets his full nutritional needs everyday, even if it means spoon-feeding, syringe feeding, feeding with your fingers..... But make sure he eats what he needs!), keep him on wet food only (did your vet put him on a prescription renal food?), keep up with his treatments and keep him hydrated....
The numbers going down are truly a good sign....one day at a time hun, one day at a time

I just read this thread... I have no first-hand experience with kidney issues but I wanted you to know I'm praying for you and your beloved kitty and sending many, many get-well vibes your way.

 

AC

My cat was also just diagnosed with kidney failure.  I was wondering what medications and supplements you currently have your cat on? Besides the sub-q fluids. I am giving my cat fluids, but looking for more options to help him with this condition.

 

Edited by Violet - 11/28/11 at 7:41am

Just want to let you know that I am thinking of you and your kitty.

Will be checking in through out the day.

Don't be too concerned with his sleeping by the water, or staring at it longingly, typical CRF kitty stuff.

I second the water fountain, it really does help.

My girl is 17 and was diagnosed three years ago.

 

What your boy is going through is a crash, just keep him eating and keep him hydrated.

 

Every time my girl crashes, I think this is it, this is the end, and she usually bounces back in about three days.

She hasn't crashed in a bit over a year now, I let her eat whatever she wants, keep her fountain full and moved her bed with heating pad next to her water.

Sometimes, the only thing she wants is baby food, so be it, whatever makes her happy and keeps her eating.

 

The vet who diagnosed her also recommended I euthanize, told me she had days at the most, just proves that vets don't know everything.

 

It's like my mother told me, doctors, nurses, dentists, vets, some graduate at the top of their class, but not all of them.

 

Keep fighting the good fight, I know that some days it can seem like it's all for nothing, but trust me, you will know when he wants to be let go.

What is the possible downside of administering pain medication at least for now though?   In humans, "flank pain" is one of the symptoms as RF progresses, and unfortunately there is no easy way to ask a cat "does it hurt here".   It is definitely worth a second opinion, but on serious medical issues I would usually defer to the advice of actual doctors if there is a consensus among them.

Best wishes. 

Really, you don't want to administer any more than is necessary to a CRF cat until their numbers reach a closer to normal range., their renal system is already taxed.

A cat that is in pain will react to a hands-on.

Rest, food, hydration and tackling any secondary infection are priorities.