C.R.F..

We have just been told by our vet one of our cats (Ziggy) has renal failure. To say I'm gutted would be an understatement    she has just turned three, and there is no cure for this condition She will be back at the vet next week for more tests, scans and stuff the worst thing is she showed NO signs of illness if it had not been time for her annual check up we would never have known I don't know what are we and her sister are going to do without her. Cant write any more tears are blinding me.

I am so sorry, Midi and I will be sending your kitty  healing thoughts.  

Your cats are beautiful, so sorry for your pain. 

I have been in your shoes and it's difficult to accept that diagnosis, BUT it's not the end!  My girl lived for 5 years after her diagnosis.  There's a lot you can do to help your kitty and extend her life.  Tanya's page is a great resource, so be sure you read it and become familiar with all the different things pertaining to CRF.  http://www.felinecrf.org/ 

After that, we're here to help you with your questions and the process. 

Yes, what Stephanie said! 

Do you happen to know your kitty's BUN/creatinine levels? Or the stage she's in? Lucky was in Stage 4 acute on chronic renal failure when it was discovered (and in Stage 5 when he died), but I am hoping your baby is in the earlier stages. There is so much more they can do these days for CKD/AKI, even in the later stages. I'm absolutely amazed as the last time we had a kidney cat it was back in the 90s, and treatment was mainly subcutaneous fluids. It's definitely more holistically treated now in the sense of treating the symptoms than it was then. Particularly in terms of keeping the cat interested in eating.

How is she eating, btw?

Thank you for all your replies and kind thoughts        Stephanie I will be reading Tanya's page  ,Donutte I will be quizzing the vet this week to see what stage she is at and what can be done to have her with us as long as possible. .Ziggy has been put on a renal only diet and so far she has been eating it which is good. Still cant  believe it.

I encourage you to be relentless in your mission, ask questions, get second opinions, do research and most of all never give up. You are your kitty's advocate. Midi and I send you healing thoughts best of luck 

Consider it a good thing that it was caught before she was symptomatic also. For most of us that is not the case. I was going to ask if the vet said anything about it being acute or chronic, but just going by all the things you've said, it probably isn't acute. That is usually more profound and noticeable. 

But just on the safe side, did Ziggy get exposed to lilies or antifreeze at all recently? My vet was absolutely stumped regarding Lucky, and asked me if he had by chance gotten into either of those. But as I said, acute (which was Lucky's case) was much more profound symptom-wise.

Donutte we don't have any flowers or plants in the house and antifreeze is a big no-no. Ziggy has just jumped on to my lap and is purring like a train just love this cat so much.

Awww what a sweetie. Hopefully they'll be able to provide more information when you go back. It may help to ask for a copy of Ziggy's labs when you go in also so you can see what the levels are, then you'll have something to compare with. Creatinine, BUN and phosphorus are three of the big things to look for when it comes to kidney disease. 

Katocats,
My girl kitty Tess was just diagnosed with the same thing. I just found out late yesterday's afternoon. Like you, I am reeling from this news. It just never occurred to me. I had taken her in because she just wasn't acting like herself. She has been sleeping much more and started to vomit almost daily. When I saw just water, I got concerned. It still didn't register that it was kidney related.

I feel your pain. Tess is around 8, if the shelter is to be believed. She was doing fine up until a few weeks ago. I am still reading about it all. My get gave her fluids and an anti nausea med yesterday. We will follow up this week. It sucks.

Perhaps between the two of us, we can get some good info and ideas.

Sorry for your sad news.

Lori

Hi Lori, sorry to hear about Tess its awful news, have you read Tanya's page it's been really helpful.

I did read it, yes. Tess is going back to the vets this week. I'm not sure they tested her potassium levels, but she has been having these mini episodes where her whole body shakes. It reminds me of a seizure, but only lasts seconds. It's very scary to see when it happens. I did read somewhere that low potassium can cause this so it would be good to know.

I almost wish the vet didn't call and give me this news. I have felt so bad since that call and it's awful to feel so helpless.

Thanks. I feel like I hijacked your thread.

Just a word of advice, ask for copies of ALL bloodwork done.  You'll need to go at least every 6 months for blood checks. 

Awww just remember it isn't the end to have that diagnosis. My Sara is very early Stage 1 CKD. Eats like a horse and has finally gained weight after her hyperthyroidism was diagnosed. 

Hopefully you'll be able to get some more answers from your vet this week.

Just a wee up date on Ziggy she got  her scan, blood and urine done today, we got everything printed out for us its not good news but we already knew that   the scan showed no tumours or growths,  blood count is half way above  whats normal and whats fatal she will be on special renal food diet the rest of her days, kidneys are working at 20 %  vet said it looks like they never really developed fully when she was a kitten,.and its very important to get her to eat.       Lori,,we feel feel helpless too and you haven't hijacked the thread I hope you can get Tess sorted out.

In addition to what I learned here on TCS during my journey through CRF, this Yahoo group was informative and so very helpful. 

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Feline-CRF-Support/info

I would encourage you both to join and read.  Ask questions and learn everything you can about CRF from that group.  The collective minds have many, many years of experience and have probably been through all kinds of situations.

Did they ever stage it? Or do you know the BUN/creatinine numbers? Or do they not think this is regular CRF, but rather just due to the under-developed kidneys?

And yes, definitely need to make sure she eats. Hopefully she will eat the kidney food but your vet will probably tell you're it's more important she eat at all. Most vets will say that also, especially if they are later stages.

Donutte, They haven't staged her yet and her BUN/CREA numbers are 27 they are not sure if this crf was caused by  her under developed kidneys.

Hey there Katocats,
Just checking in. So sorry your news wasn't better. Our kitties are in the same boat in terms of function. Tess is also at around 20%. We went last evening and got more fluids. And the special kidney food ( which she just picked at). My vet talked about showing me how to give Tess fluids at home ( when needed) and also stressed that there really isn't a "set" time frame for anything. All cases and kitties are different. I almost think that's worse. That I am going to be on pins and needles, and freaking out every tin she does anything any different from the norm. Like tonight, she is very very quiet. Doesn't seem to have any energy at all, and is even acting a bit confused. I can't freak out. But I am freaking out. This is so very difficult. I know I don't have to tell you that.

About the food. If Tess won't eat it, I'm going to give her what she will eat, whatever that may be. Better to eat than not I think. I just want to do what I can to keep her comfortable and as happy as she can be. When she doesn't seem to be enjoying life, or gets to where she is sick all the time, I am not going to let her suffer. I hope I don't have to confront that for a while yet, but I know there's no way to tell.

I hope your kitty dies well, likes the food, and is still happy. This is a journey none of us ever wants to take. I suppose the up side is they are still with us at this moment.

Peace