New to Stage3 Kidney disease

[lorilynn]

I need help what to do!! Kitty (India) is 14 just diagnosed with stage 3 kd. I’ve maintained her pretty well at stage 2 for 3-4 years. So now what do I do?? I love her so very much, we’re bonded!! And she is my Zen in this crazy world!!

 

[silent meowlook]

Hi. I am sorry for the diagnosis of stage III kidney disease in your cat. I know it can seem overwhelming. Just a few questions:

What symptoms did your cat exhibit prior to this diagnosis?
Does your cat suffer from any other diseases?
How was your cat diagnosed?
What diagnostics have been done so far?
What is the body condition of your cat?
How is her appetite?
Is this your only cat?
What has your veterinarian suggested you do so far?
What kind of veterinary resources do you have near you? Do you have a veterinary university nearby? Or veterinary specialists?
If it is not an inconvenience, post the blood results here?

Caring for cats at home with chronic kidney disease can help extend their time, and improve how they feel.

If your cat had elevated phosphorus, it is important to add a phosphate binder their food. There is a product called " Epakitin" that you sprinkle on their food each feeding. Provided of course that your cat's appetite is good.

It is important for cats with kidney disease to eat a canned food instead of dry. With these cats you want to get as much moisture into them as possible. Unless your cat won't eat canned food then you have to remember that it is far better for them to eat than not eat.

One thing I have learned is that having multiple sources of water available to them really helps. So, having water in their normal area as well as a water source in all of their favorite places to hang out. With my cat, I would keep one up in the window shelf where he would like to hang out, and one near his favorite bed. What you are doing is making sure he is never very far away from water. Sometimes these cats can feel week or to tired to walk all the way over to the water and just not drink because of it. If you have water always near where they are, they will be inclined to drink more.

Things you should discuss with your veterinarian to see if these are treatments they feel would benefit your cat:

SQ fluids, Lactated Ringers given under the skin by you at home regularly. This is something that can only be done if your cat is a good candidate for it. If so, it really helps to keep cats hydrated. You have to be careful because to much fluids, or if your cat has an underlying heart condition, it can cause more problems.

Famotadine. Given once or twice a day can really help if your cat has any acid reflux, which is common in kidney disease cats due to azotemia.

Cerenia is very good to help control the nausea associated with kidney disease. It is best if given one to two hours before feeding.

A good phosphate binder like Epaketin will help if the phosphorus is to high. It is added to every meal.

Mitazipine is good for appetite stimulation should your cat stop eating. It comes in a pill form, or also a transdermal gel that you rub on the inside of the ear.

Azodyl may or may not be helpful for cats with kidney disease. It is a supplement that claims to support kidney health and is also a probiotic. There haven't been much studies. It is also a very large capsule, so if your cat is hard to medicate, it may not be worth it.

If you have not already done it, an abdominal Ultrasound would be important in evaluating the kidneys. This is something that many regular veterinarians do, but it is best done by a specialist. Ultrasound is subjective. You want a veterinarian that has extra schooling.

You should also have the blood pressure checked. Often high blood pressure and kidney disease go together. IF the blood pressure is high, it needs to be treated.

Heart disease is often present with kidney disease in cats. If so, the SQ fluids must be given with great care so as not to cause fluid volume overload.

A urinalysis should also be done to accurately stage kidney disease.

The above being said, you also don't want to stress your cat out to much either. Stress is not good for cats.

Many cats can be kept comfortable and have a good quality of life despite a chronic kidney disease diagnosis. The above isn't all there is, but figured it's a start. I hope this helps. I am sorry for what you and your cat are going through.

 

[pearl99]

I'm sorry to hear this!
My cat Gracie was diagnosed last September with Stage 3.
All of the above is spot on.
I use Mirataz ointment in the ear, Gracie had totally stopped eating and this is a wonder drug. I don't need to give her a full dose to have it effective.
I use Epakitin too, it has no taste so she eats it well.
She also is hyperthyroid and has arthritis.
With all of the above she's doing well. Not as active, but seems content.
There is a CKD forum also if joining is something you'd want to do- it has a huge wealth of info and cat lovers with CKD kitties posting and asking every question imaginable.
Tanya's Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic Kidney Disease - Tanya's Support Group

I've read cats can lose a huge amount of kidney function and still live good lives. And there is a lot of support out there!

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

I just want to add that along with feeding canned food, add water to the food for even more moisture, and they tend to eat better with smaller, more frequent meals. I fed my last kidney cat 8 - 9 meals per day, and in the middle of the night. For the night feedings, I froze her food and it would thaw as I slept. I kept her bowl in a ziploc bag on my nightstand and she would come and wake me up when it was time for her meal. I never had to get out of bed to feed her, which was a real bonus for me.

Also, I found I needed to change up her food frequently as she became really picky as time went by. I don't know if that was the kidney disease or what but when her appetite waned I would try new foods along with using the transdermal Mirataz. And we weren't very good at pilling her, so she got her famotudine via injections in her scruff. She never knew she ever got these injections because we would do them while she was having a petting session

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi. All good advice/information above! I do want to say that - if you haven't already done so - before you join the above-mentioned support group, please spend some time on the actual web site related to it. Tanya's Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic Kidney Disease - Everything You Need to Know to Help Your Cat (felinecrf.org). It is a lot to digest, comprehend, and understand, admittedly, but it will go a long way to refining your questions to ask the support group, so they can have more specifics to work with. And, I will be honest, you will need to read and re-read through it many times over. Not to overwhelm you but the information on that site is so very helpful that you won't regret it.

Don't forget - staging is only a number. All cats are different, so we need to treat the cat not the numbers!!