Severe kidney failure

Hi all. My old girl was acting odd, so I took her to the vet. Just got the results back and its sever kidney failure. I know she is 17, and I should have been preparing for this, but I am completely devastated. The vet said to try some things, so I have her on a new diet, she was given fluids at the vet, and I have a follow up appointment booked for two weeks like he said.

I could use some advise from you fabulous people on here about what I can do. I have made some cozy spots around my place (small apartment), and added to her already large cat toy collection.

I cant tell you how much I would give to come home and find her rolling around on the floor to greet me like she used to. Just one more time. This all happened in about 5 days time. I wish I had seen this sooner, but I had no idea.

Thank you

So sorry your kitty is not feeling well. My Annie was just diagnosed with the start if kidney failure and I know how upsetting it is. I am giving sub q fluids at home 3 times a week. It is very important for your cat to have this. Did your vet show you how to do it? Here is a link to a site that will help you

jhttp://www.felinecrf.org/

I also joined Tanya's Support Group

https://www.bigtent.com/groups/tckd

They have helped me with Annie and really know their stuff. Please join.

Patti

I'm so sorry to hear this.  It can happen suddenly.  Did your vet talk to you about giving her subq fluids more frequently?  Keeping them eating is important, too.

There are several good threads here:  http://www.thecatsite.com/f/5825/kidney-issues-in-cats-with-dr-kris  about advice for keeping kitties eating,  giving subq fluids and other issues.

Wishing you all the best with this.

Thanks Betsygee

He gave her the fluid that goes just under their skin. It was awful to see that bulge there. She is getting up and drinking every so often. I put out another bowl of water for her, and change it every few hours when I'm home. She wants to drink out of the toilet when it runs. I went and got her one of those cat fountains a while ago, but she was scared of it.

Shes not eating alot, but the vet said that could be because she is constapated. She did go this morning, but not since. She is peeing tho.

Thanks so much for your kind words

We give our cat fluids at home.  The bulge looks very weird but it sure helps them and makes them feel better.  One of my cats who had kidney disease started liking running water, too, so we got her a little fountain from Petco which thankfully she used a lot.  Hopefully your cat will get used to drinking out of it.  

It's really important fir her to have the sub q fluids a few times a week. It's very easy once you get the hang if it. It's also important for her to eat wet food, not dry. Her kidneys aren't functioning and getting rid if the toxins in her body. The extra fluid helps do what the kidneys can't. If you can't do the fluids, you can have your Vet do it.

Patti

thanks so much you guys

Patti, my vet said he could do it, I'm not the greatest around needles.

We're sorry to hear that you cat isn't well, and we hope that your vet continues to provide excellent care for her. There are several different styles of fountains. My two cats love both of theirs and almost never drink out of the two still bowls of water I also put down for them. You might try a different style to encourage her to drink more. That's critically important, as you know.

Best regards,

PHarber-Murphy

P.S. You have an outstanding vet!

Hi Blixxa!

Sometimes these things can work out ok! It's always overwhelming at first. The key to success comes from finding out what your cats specific requirements are.  Is he eating? Vomiting? Losing weight? Is he anemic? Have high phosphorous or low potassium? Is he leaking protein through his kidneys?

He might be doing all or none of those things. Make a list of his main problems. Using the bloodwork and urine tests, you go step by step, addressing each problem. Start on the ones that affect his quality of life the most, then work down the list! If he is really severe, then you probably want more fluids sooner than later: http://www.thecatsite.com/a/your-cat-s-kidneys-called

Dr. Kris

Tanya's crf website has really helped me. I do the subQ at home, because the vet is so far away (I'm rural) and it's expensive otherwise, but it's a challenge for me to poke my cat. There is a great video that someone directed me to, at iwillhelpyourcat.com and it was amazingly helpful. Good luck.

PS Oh, LOL the vet who started that site posted above. Really, his video is very good with excellent, artistic video of his cat. Cat videos are always good to watch!

Hi @Blixxa! Sorry to hear your cat's diagnosis of renal failure On the brightside it is a disease that can be managed. I would also encourage you to learn how to administer SQ fluids to your cat at home. It may be uncomfortable at first for you, but it will save the stress on your cat of having to go to the vet office. There are also several prescription cat diets available to meet your cat's nutritional needs and be kinder on the kidneys. Follow your vet's advice as to the best treatment plan for your cat. To give you some positive outcomes for renal cats I currently have 26 CRF cats in my cattery and 15 of them have had Renal disease for 5+ years. It's not an instant death sentence! Educate yourself about CRF so you can be a fantastic nurse for your beloved kitty! Best of luck and prayers for you and your precious furbaby!

My guy came down with renal failure when he was 17 and he is over 19 now and still going and he also has IBD a few other things so it can be managed. I am now up to a daily sub-q which is very important so when she has been lying down for a bit stick your finger in her cheek and see if you get any moisture on your finger tip. Your finger should have moisture on it and if it does not then she may be dehydrating which does cause constipation and will cause her to feel pretty crappy. I would also have her B12 levels checked, I am now giving my guy B12 shots weekly with his sub-q and this has made a big difference. 17 is an exceptional age but she is not at the end of the path yet and you can do a lot for her to make her feel better and add years to her age. Wet food is also a must with your cat so hopefully she will eat it, my guy stopped eating hard food before the signs of renal failure showed up so this was easy for me.

If she is not eating there are drugs you can give her that will food her body into thinking it is hungry and she will eat. When they don't feel well they stop eating or eat a lot less so if this is prolonged then get her on some meds that will force her to eat. Because her kidneys are not working properly she can drink and drink and still not get enough water so don't let the drinking fool you. Checking for hydration on an older cat is a bit harder but moisture in the mouth is an easy test.

Thanks all. Unfortunately she crossed the bridge on monday. The vet said she didnt bounce back from being on IV all day, and had no kidney function left. He figured she wouldn't have made it till Sunday.

Thank you all again for your suggestions and support. Its people like you that renew my faith in humanity.

Blixxa said:

 
Thanks all. Unfortunately she crossed the bridge on monday. The vet said she didnt bounce back from being on IV all day, and had no kidney function left. He figured she wouldn't have made it till Sunday.

Thank you all again for your suggestions and support. Its people like you that renew my faith in humanity.

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I'm so sorry to hear this news.  I've just lost a kitty myself to kidney failure--it can happen so fast.  

Please feel free to post about your kitty here http://www.thecatsite.com/f/19/crossing-the-bridge  if and when the spirit moves you.  

On behalf of the Team here at TCS, we send our deepest sympathies to you Blixxa

In the meantime, l'll now close the thread, and when Blixxa is ready she can post a thread in the Bridge