Hello,
This is my first post - I have 3 cats, one of which is an 18 year old male who I am growing increasingly worried about.
He has been to the vets and we found that his kidneys are bad, his teeth are in pretty bad shape, and is barely meeting his nutrional requirements.
He was on medication for awhile but it didn't seem to help, so the vet took him off it and we decided together to just let him be.
He has lost a significant amount of weight in the past year, even on medication, and although he has maintained the weight he is at now - it is less then ideal. I have thought about putting him to sleep but figure if he is still eating, drinking, lying in the sun and purring, and ocassionally playing with the other cats - there is no need.
Two Questions:
- I'm wondering if anyone has some high fat recipes for cats, he likes to eat so I'd like to make him a fattening meal for nighttime.
- At what point would you think of putting him to sleep?
Amber
18 yo male health problems - recipes?
Re: 18 yo male health problems - recipes?
You can't "fatten" up a renal diseased cat. Weight loss and inability to maintain weight is a common condition for these cats. And you don't want a high-fat diet for any cat, whether renal-compromised, senior or otherwise.
What "medication" was he on for the renal problems? Kitty undoubtedly needs fluids support (sub-q fluids, given every day, to every other day, to several times a week). Fluids are crucial for kidney disease because the diseased kidneys are not at optimal function and can't filter toxins and they are already compromised.
Your vet should have already told you that and expressed how very important fluids are, if he didn't, then you need to stop seeing him and see a new vet who WILL be committed to your kitty's health condition, his individual needs and comitted to his comfort.
The same applies to his nutritional support. There are several veterinary prescribed diets specific for renal disease, they all contain low protein, low-fat, low salt/sodium and phosphorus.....NOT HIGH FAT! If your vet didn't discuss these diets with you, then again, you need a new vet who WILL. He should have given you samples of each type/brand to try for kitty.
Kitty's blood pressure needs to also be checked on a regular basis, tested for secondary conditions like hyperthyroidism, diabetes, etc, because any number of secondary conditions or even bacterial infections can delay treatment, healing, comfort etc.
Pain management should have been discussed by your vet regarding the oral health problems. If kitty has diseased, untreated teeth/gums, he is painful, cannot eat properly, and is painful to chew, swallow, etc and probably has excess bacteria which can and does lead to the blood stream, causing the kidneys, heart and other vital organs to work even harder and be at risk for dysfunction. Antibiotic therapy should also have been discussed to treat or ward off these infections.
While there is no cure for renal disease, you can slow the progression with proper treatment. Treatment is not invasive, it isn't painful, there are various treatment protocols for even end-stage disease (pallative and to treat symptoms to keep the patient comfortable as long as they are still enjoying quality of life). Again, if your vet hasn't discussed all these things with you, see a new vet who WILL, and IMMEDIATELY.
Followup on bloodwork is essential to monitor the disease, and to treat problems as they occur, to prevent worsening symptoms and to prevent secondary health conditions.
Your kitty has given you years of comfort, joy, love. It's your turn now to return the favor by discussing with your vet the available options in treatment and ways to keep him comfortable, extend quality of life to some degree. Renal disease, left untreated, is a painful, debilitating disease, your kitty deserves better than that.
There is no home-made diet available for a complete and balanced diet. Only a licensed and/or board-certified vet nutritionist should recommend/formulate a home-made diet BASED ON kitty's individual needs and health status. Home-made diets you see on the net are seriously deificient in minerals, vitamins, nutrients, and you CANNOT balance them properly. They are intended to be fed temporarily only, while other measures are done to treat the condition. Do NOT rely on any internet pet food recipe you see! Your vet needs to help you with kitty's dietary needs, and if he isn't addressing any of these things with you, you need to see one who will!
Please don't wait on this, see a new vet who is committed to helping your kitty, who is committed to seeing he is comfortable, continues to enjoy life and will form a treatment plan based on his symptoms and individual needs. By not treating anything, you are in effect, denying him the chance at a more quality life, extended time, comfort, etc and you need to know just how debilitating and painful this condition is left untreated! (the same applies to his oral health, please think about how you would feel if you had diseased teeth). I'm not trying to be condescending, but your kitty deserves a vet who is committed, caring and will help you with a treatment approach.
What "medication" was he on for the renal problems? Kitty undoubtedly needs fluids support (sub-q fluids, given every day, to every other day, to several times a week). Fluids are crucial for kidney disease because the diseased kidneys are not at optimal function and can't filter toxins and they are already compromised.
Your vet should have already told you that and expressed how very important fluids are, if he didn't, then you need to stop seeing him and see a new vet who WILL be committed to your kitty's health condition, his individual needs and comitted to his comfort.
The same applies to his nutritional support. There are several veterinary prescribed diets specific for renal disease, they all contain low protein, low-fat, low salt/sodium and phosphorus.....NOT HIGH FAT! If your vet didn't discuss these diets with you, then again, you need a new vet who WILL. He should have given you samples of each type/brand to try for kitty.
Kitty's blood pressure needs to also be checked on a regular basis, tested for secondary conditions like hyperthyroidism, diabetes, etc, because any number of secondary conditions or even bacterial infections can delay treatment, healing, comfort etc.
Pain management should have been discussed by your vet regarding the oral health problems. If kitty has diseased, untreated teeth/gums, he is painful, cannot eat properly, and is painful to chew, swallow, etc and probably has excess bacteria which can and does lead to the blood stream, causing the kidneys, heart and other vital organs to work even harder and be at risk for dysfunction. Antibiotic therapy should also have been discussed to treat or ward off these infections.
While there is no cure for renal disease, you can slow the progression with proper treatment. Treatment is not invasive, it isn't painful, there are various treatment protocols for even end-stage disease (pallative and to treat symptoms to keep the patient comfortable as long as they are still enjoying quality of life). Again, if your vet hasn't discussed all these things with you, see a new vet who WILL, and IMMEDIATELY.
Followup on bloodwork is essential to monitor the disease, and to treat problems as they occur, to prevent worsening symptoms and to prevent secondary health conditions.
Your kitty has given you years of comfort, joy, love. It's your turn now to return the favor by discussing with your vet the available options in treatment and ways to keep him comfortable, extend quality of life to some degree. Renal disease, left untreated, is a painful, debilitating disease, your kitty deserves better than that.
There is no home-made diet available for a complete and balanced diet. Only a licensed and/or board-certified vet nutritionist should recommend/formulate a home-made diet BASED ON kitty's individual needs and health status. Home-made diets you see on the net are seriously deificient in minerals, vitamins, nutrients, and you CANNOT balance them properly. They are intended to be fed temporarily only, while other measures are done to treat the condition. Do NOT rely on any internet pet food recipe you see! Your vet needs to help you with kitty's dietary needs, and if he isn't addressing any of these things with you, you need to see one who will!
Please don't wait on this, see a new vet who is committed to helping your kitty, who is committed to seeing he is comfortable, continues to enjoy life and will form a treatment plan based on his symptoms and individual needs. By not treating anything, you are in effect, denying him the chance at a more quality life, extended time, comfort, etc and you need to know just how debilitating and painful this condition is left untreated! (the same applies to his oral health, please think about how you would feel if you had diseased teeth). I'm not trying to be condescending, but your kitty deserves a vet who is committed, caring and will help you with a treatment approach.
..........Traci