Is kidney disease inevitable in some breeds

Hi Dr. Kris,  I have Tonkinese cats.  My first from one breeder died when she was 11 (cat  had liver disease also; never used this breeder again) ; new breeder & a male cat related to my first cat -- he lived until almost 15; two female sisters from the same breeder (one cat died suddenly at 10 from inoperable kidney stone) but her sister is alive but last creatinine was 2.6 (down from 3.2) -- I fed all 3 cats kibble -- hill's k/d.  I recently got 2 female kittens from a different breeder (who said kidney failure was not an issue in any of her cats) and after doing research started feeding them canned food 90% with some dry food.  My older cat started eating the canned food and looks wonderful.  Has gained weight and her coat has never been more beautiful.  She is going to the vet on Wednesday for blood tests so I will know the results of her "new" diet but she loves Wellness Core and Instinct.  Is there any way to prevent my kittens from developing this problem?  What is the best way to sustain my older cat?  After a lot of research on the internet I think that a dry diet is the wrong way to go.  Am I correct?  Thank you so much. 

Tonk’s are awesome!

Eating the wet food AND gaining weight represents a huge win! Even if the kidney values on the bloodwork are elevated, I would say that the weight gain trumps all. When they gain weight at an older age, then the proof is in the pudding! Good job!

The biggest issue I see people having with sustaining older cats is letting too many months go by before addressing the following:

1) pu/pd (drinking to much + peeing too much)
2) weight loss
3) occasional vomiting,
4) lack of appetite

There is not a 6 hour period in our vet clinic that goes by that I don't see a case of this. By the time they get to the clinic months later, we are playing catch up (which is harder to do in the aged body), and it can be difficult to put them back in that compensated state I discussed in another thread. These things happen partly because of an awareness factor (which I want to change), and sometimes simply because people are scared. They know something is going on, but they are so worried to find out what it is. They can feel defeated before they walk into the door.  

So basic awareness is huge for keeping these guys thriving.

I am thinking of putting a guide together that describes the key things, year by year, too look for and check. The key things not to miss, that if addressed can keep these guys going and happy!

From there, we move to things that can attempt to optimize their health. Optimum diet composition and consistency, supplements, management of body condition and stressors.

Who’s read “A Street Cat Named Bob”? Take a street cat in that kind of condition, give him a bag of dry food, and watch some beautiful things happen. There is a time and place for kibble and dry foods. And some win the genetics lottery and will outlive us all on pizza and beer.

Later this year, Im going to Cuba to help out some cats n’ dogs out there.  I suspect I will see healthier looking animals who get supplemented with “commercially balanced kibble”.

So I would say that dry is not the optimum way to go, but sometimes it’s what get’s you there.

Thanks for the question;

k

I think there is a real tendency to ignore vomiting in cats.  I was even told that my kitty who was finally diagnosed with IBD that he was very sensitive.  That was after a hospitalization on an IV because he was so dehydrated.

Denice said:

 
I think there is a real tendency to ignore vomiting in cats.  I was even told that my kitty who was finally diagnosed with IBD that he was very sensitive.  That was after a hospitalization on an IV because he was so dehydrated.

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Agreed Denise!

k