Acute renal failure

My beloved cat suddenly started vomiting and will not eat or urinate. She has been in the pet hospital since yesterday. They say there is very little hope for her, her creatinine levels keep getting worse and her bladder has been completely empty even on IV fluids. They can't do a urinalysis because she is not producing urine. She is 4 years old.

The only thing they act very confused about is that she is not acting sick at all, she is very bright eyed. They said in such late stages of kidney failure that is very abnormal.

I don't even know why I'm posting here, I guess just in case anyone has any advice that might help. They did ultrasound and found nothing.

catladyvettech

Do you have any thoughts or suggestions here?

I'm so sorry your cat is so sick! And she's so young too! I have to agree with the vet that it's unusual your cat is so bright and alert. With acute renal failure cats usually feel totally dumpy and sad. I'm really confused as to why she's getting IV fluids if she isn't urinating. IV fluids are given to cats in renal failure but if they're not producing urine it's called anuric renal failure and they should stop the IV fluids or at least greatly reduce the rate of administration. A cat that's getting lots of fluid in but isn't excreting any is susceptible to fluid overload which can cause pulmonary edema and breathing problems. Has the vet given her a diuretic like furosemide? There's another drug called mannitol which has diuretic properties too. Does your vet have any guesses as to why this is going on like possible toxin exposure? Consumption of lilies, human NSAIDs and antifreeze can cause acute renal failure. Any chance she got into any of those? Keeping my fingers crossed for your poor kitty!

She said she was checking for the fluids and a little was in her abdomen so she reduced the amount. She said that could be a problem, the overload part. She gave her something, I'm not sure what. She said there was another medication but it was $500.00. We might try that but she's trying antibiotics first in case it is an infection. Should I just tell her to try all the medications?

She doesn't know why. She said she thinks it's likely she ingested something that caused that but she is not sure. 

I guess she has no way to determine if there is an infection without a urinalysis so we're just going to try the antibiotics.

Maybe the $500 injection is mannitol. I know it can be a pricey medication. I would say do all that you can to fight off the fluid overload first. That's a critical problem that will arise in the time it takes for antibiotics to start helping. I hope your vet has done xrays and is weighing your cat frequently to check for rapid weight gain due to fluid overload. Your cat's lung and sounds should be monitored hourly too to listen for crackles, wheezes and a galloping heart rythym.

ok I talked to the doctor they gave her furosemide but it did nothing.

These are the options she's giving me.

1. To have a radiologist do an ultrasounds to be absolutely sure there are no small stones causing it. I decided to have her do that.

2. To try a medication called synoldepan? I'm sure I spelled that wrong. She said it costs $500.00.

We're going to see how fast the radiologist can do this ultrasound first I guess. The problem is I'm going to run out of money eventually.

What does the vet say is the purpose of the $500 medicine? I think knowing that would be helpful in making your decision whether to use it.

I do think it is good to have the radiologist perform an ultrasound.

Have they started the antibiotics, and if so, which one(s)?

You may be able to apply for a Care Credit card online, which will pay vet expenses yet give you time and a decent interest rate for paying off your bill.

Does your cat go outside? It does sound as though she may have gotten into something toxic.

I am rooting for your cat to pull through this!

Yes she does go outside. It probably was something she ate I'm thinking.

I just talked to the doc about giving her fluids. She said she greatly reduced the amount and is closely monitoring her but that she thinks she needs to keep giving them to her to treat the kidneys.

I'm not sure what antibiotics but I will ask. They have already started giving it to her.

She seemed to think it was pretty unlikely it was an infection though.

Where is the fluid going that is being given to her if it is not secreted?

What is the $500 medicine's purpose?

I realize you may not be getting all of your answers at once - just trying to help you piece it all together.

The antibiotics won't hurt though, and might prevent an infection from starting.

sarthur2 said:

Where is the fluid going that is being given to her if it is not secreted?

What is the $500 medicine's purpose?

I realize you may not be getting all of your answers at once - just trying to help you piece it all together.

The antibiotics won't hurt though, and might prevent an infection from starting.

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She said she saw a small amount of fluid in her abdomen and that's when she reduced the amount?

The $500 medicine is supposedly to clean the kidneys, she said it could do the same thing dialysis does, sort of , maybe?

Though expensive, it really sounds worth a try. What do you think?

I'm just waiting on the ultrasound first I guess, should be done soon. If they don't find anything I think I will go ahead and try it.

I did some research. It says that cats with renal failure can be saved if caught early enough. Especially if they can determine the underlying cause, such as ingesting antifreeze. Sometimes the cats need dialysis though. I'm guessing that's what the $500 drug may do?

I could not find any information on that drug the way you spelled it. If a tech could give you a proper spelling I can look it up for you.

Hopefully the ultrasound will be done soon, and will reveal good news!

Yes they said dialysis would be the best option but it's it's a $15,000 deposit and who knows how much more on top of that. I simply can't afford it. Thank you for all the advice. I know if it was antifreeze it's probably too late though she has had symptoms for 48 hours at this point.

Let's not give up yet! Your cat is young and strong and may pull through this without dialysis. The kidney cleaning drug sounds worth a try. I can understand where $15,000 is not going to happen. But for now your kitty is hanging in there. Have you been able to visit with her? She might like to see you if it's allowed.

Please keep us updated on the situation.

Yes we are not giving up. We just saw her a few hours ago. She definitely does not look like a cat that is on death's doorstep. If she looked very sick I would be a lot less optimistic but at this point I'm still holding out hope for her.

So the ultrasound found nothing new. We're trying the drug, it's called corlopam. Apparently it's used to induce urination. They also said her potassium levels are rising fast and she is at severe risk for a heart attack now. I don't know what else to do now except wait and hope.

Let's pray that she begins to urinate with the help of this drug. Is this the $500 drug?

In the meantime, did they back off to a smaller amount of fluids? Can they drain some with a needle?

How is your cat holding up otherwise?

Yes it is the $500 drug. She said they are not giving her much fluids now and are closely monitoring it. She said she is fine in that respect. 

She still seems the same though. She doesn't look any sicker.