Heart broken

I have a 19 year old Maine Coon that I have shared my life with for 18 years. 2 years ago he developed kidney failure but has done well with little intervention-some Pepcid AC, phos binder and miralax

This last month he seems to be going downhill fast. In June he weighed 17 pounds(down from 23 at diagnosis) he now weighs 14. He's lip licking excessively, at times restless, other times sleeps for hours. Not eating as much and just doesn't seem right. Then for a few hours he seems fine.

I need to take him to his vet, last visit was 3 mos ago, but honestly I'm terrified. Beyond terrified. I have chosen to not do sub q fluids or anything to aggressive to extend his life, so I am afraid of what the vet will have to say. And I'm so frightened of having to make a choice for my best friend.

I don't know what a 'crash' looks like, since he's never had one. Is this s crash? Is he dying? I'm just stupidly scared.

Hello there!

First off, I'm so sorry to hear your kitty isn't doing well. And second, I would definitely take him to the vet.

I can't really tell if it's a crash going by what you say, especially since you have not been doing any symptom management. The lip-smacking is a sign of nausea. Is he vomiting at all? And I'm guessing he is probably very dehydrated.

My guess is that the disease is just progressing, which it will regardless of what you do. Have you been feeding him a prescription diet at all? Or at least a lower-phosphorus diet? And how is his appetite?

Sorry for so many questions, just trying to gauge the situation.

I wanted to mention something also... Subqs are not to extend his life, it's to make him comfortable. Even kitties that are purely in hospice treatment are given subqs to keep them from feeling bad. It is not something that will extend his life though.

sub fluids will make him more comfortable-yes yes see a vet!!

The restlessness and general weightloss could be thyroid in addition to kidney-the best thing right now-take to vet-get some subfluids-IF you decide that this is the end-the subfluids will make him more comfortable. They will absorb within the hour. Then bring him home and love him until its time.

Ask the vet for what to watch for.

I saw someone post a link in a different thread that gauges when its time to let go.

BUT subfluids will make him feel like a new cat-when the kidneys get to a point where they cant filter fast enough that's when the subfluids help give the body liquid to aid in digestion/breathing etc. They don't extend his life but its like trying to breathe when you cant-once you get air-you feel better-the liquid is the same way-if the body doesn't have enough liquid to function it will most certainly make him:

Lethergic

lip smacking

loss of appetite

restlessness

I also want to add that if you are medicating him the subfluids will make the medications work better as the liquid is needed in order for the blood to carry the nutrients to whatever organ it is working for.

Just like how we feel on a hot day without water-its uncomfortable. It wont hurt him I promise. you would be surprised how much better he will feel and will help him get some appetite back.

sending much love and hugs

sending hugs and more hugs. He had a good life-now its time to do the last loving thing for him IF its time.

He eats Royal Canin prescription urinary dry kibble. He had bladder surgery when he was 4, so the vet has kept him on it. He refuses to eat wet food, hence the kibble. He eats small amounts through the day. He does get a phosphorous binder and 1/4 tablet of Pepcid AC each day as the vet prescribed.

He is absolutely going to the vet, I'm just terrified of going down the road I need to go down and am simply looking for support from folks who've been here, since I never have been, this being my first kitty.

Zanna E said:

He eats Royal Canin prescription urinary dry kibble. He had bladder surgery when he was 4, so the vet has kept him on it. He refuses to eat wet food, hence the kibble. He eats small amounts through the day. He does get a phosphorous binder and 1/4 tablet of Pepcid AC each day as the vet prescribed.

He is absolutely going to the vet, I'm just terrified of going down the road I need to go down and am simply looking for support from folks who've been here, since I never have been, this being my first kitty.

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Your vet wants him to stay on the urinary diet even with the kidney disease? That's generally not good for the kidneys, so kinda surprised. But, with that said, you want to feed them whatever they will eat. Have you tried to feed him any other food? One thing with kidney cats - you generally have to have a smorgasbord available for them because their appetites (and likes) can change constantly. There will come a point where his diet will basically become "whatever he will eat". That could mean tuna from a can, or baby food, or anything else that basically is not toxic to a cat.

It's a scary road, but a doable one. I was down it with my Lucky, who I lost in November, and in his case is a short road :/ With Sara though, hopefully it will be much longer. It sounds like he's had a good long run with it so far, which is really amazing. He probably does need to be put on subqs though at this point, and also anti-nausea drugs.

But first and foremost, get to the vet and get some levels on him to see how bad it is. I'm guessing his creatinine is definitely above 5 at this point if his appetite is affected.

Zanna E said:

He eats Royal Canin prescription urinary dry kibble. He had bladder surgery when he was 4, so the vet has kept him on it. He refuses to eat wet food, hence the kibble. He eats small amounts through the day. He does get a phosphorous binder and 1/4 tablet of Pepcid AC each day as the vet prescribed.

He is absolutely going to the vet, I'm just terrified of going down the road I need to go down and am simply looking for support from folks who've been here, since I never have been, this being my first kitty.

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The process itself is like sitting in the eye of a hurricane. You will ride the storm in But during that time you will find a courage you do not know you have or where it comes from. I truly do not know how we managed to get through Kittens passing. But we did. And we did it to make sure we didn't scare and upset our already very sick little cat. And after you will find yourself hurled back into the storm.

If today isn't the day now would be a good time to talk to the vet and make any arrangements you might want for him after.

I'm currently nursing my third kidney cat.  Everything everyone has said above is ABSOLUTELY spot on.  Fluids and food are the life of a kidney cat, but fluids are the most important.  When our Callie went into Stage IV this month, I asked the Vet what could we do, and her only answer was to increase her Sub-q Fluids.  You must think of giving them as not hurting your old guy, but helping him.  The fluids should help flush out toxins built up in the kidneys, which should help with any nausea he is experiencing. 

From this website http://www.felinecrf.org/symptoms.htm#crashing, the signs of crashing are:

• 
  is severely dehydrated;
• 
  has extremely strong bad breath;
• 
  has a strong body odour;
• 
  the eyes are dull;
• 
  is refusing to eat and possibly also to drink

Crashing does not necessarily mean the end is near, but it does mean you need to contact your vet urgently.

If this is just a bump in the road, I strongly urge you to read thru the above website.  It's full of valuable information regarding all things kidney cat related.  It's definitely my "go to", practically on a daily basis.  I normally even go there first, even before contacting my Vet, so I will be well informed.

BTW, my girl has good days and bad days.  Some times her bad days will last a few days, and I think "this is it", but then she'll bounce back.  Hoping your guy is just having a couple of bad weeks and will perk right up with some hydration.