My Story

[LisaT]

I am new to this site....I am not sure where to post this message....but then again, Im not sure if Im venting, looking for a miracle, or just need advice and/or support...

Back in August of '91, I adopted a kitten from a shelter. I didnt know it, but he wasnt healthy, and didnt last a week. I was still devastated, and replaced him a week later with a brother/ sister combo from a new litter at the shelter. Come to find out, the first kitten had distemper, and within days, the 'sister' kitty also was ill & had to be put to sleep.
Amazingly, the other kitten was strong and never got sick! He is my Cody...and has been thriving all these years....
Cody is, in my opinion, smarter than most humans....He has been communicating throughout his life, and has done so many funny & interesting things (wish you could see his photo album)..He is 'mamas lovey' and I have always been so in love with him...

Well, a few days ago, I thought something was 'weird'....I couldnt put my finger on it, but I sensed it. It wasnt enough to make me panic, but yesterday I took him to the vet. I thought his breath was bad, and decided that he probably had a bad tooth....it would be pulled & hed get some medication, and all would be fine as he lived on into his 20s (at least)...since thats what I always figured...

Then, the rug got pulled out from under me....The vet examined him thoroughly and told me he thought he had kidney failure....He saw several signs....I had them take blood & urine, to double check...and they did some kind of injection of fluid (I was invited to watch, in case I chose to do this at home, but I declined---couldnt see through the tears anyway..)

I LOVE this cat....He is truly like a child to me..

Does anyone have any suggestions? Miracle cures? Advice if you have experienced this? Anything?? Im so hysterical inside...I know this is part of life, but I cant seem to be rational!
Thanks in advance for anything you have to offer

Lisa

[Traci]

There is no cure for renal failure, but one can slow the progression with proper and consistent treatment. Your vet should have explained the treatment options and what to expect. Depending on the extent of renal damage will depend on the treatment.

If it is only beginning stages of CRF, there is a good chance you can slow the progression with proper diet, fluid therapy on a regular basis, possibly supplements on the advice of your vet (Note: do NOT give supplements on your own, your vet is the ONLY one who can advise you on whether or not your kitty may need supplementation). You will want to be prepared for more frequent testing (kidney values, CBC, urinalysis) to monitor the renal function, usually every few months, or sooner if symptoms persist or progress. Fluid therapy is vital for managing CRF, because the kidneys cannot filter toxins and have an extra workload, dehydration is always a major concern. Fluid therapy can be done by you at home, you only need to have your vet show you how. Do not be fearful of the procedure, it is necessary for your kitty's care and CRF management.

A veterinary prescribed diet can be helpful because the prescribed diets are formulated with low protein, low potassium, sodium, phosphorus, etc.

If your vet hasn't yet tested for hyperthyroidism, it would be a good idea to do so immediately, since CRF and hyperthyroidism often go hand in hand. You will also want to check heart function, and regularly monitor kitty for any signs of hypertension.

Sometimes, hospitalization may be required if the kidney enzymes are elevated beyond normal parameters, with continuous IV fluid therapy. Hospitalization may require up to 3 days on IV fluids, but is necessary to establish suitable renal function and proper hydration support.

Talk to your vet in greater detail and ask him to give you a client hand-out sheet for CRF, ask questions and get those questions answered so that you know what is involved in treatment and what to expect. Followup as often as necessary, as your vet advises, this is crucial to monitoring and managing the disease.

[LisaT]

Thank you so much! Thats a lot of great information!
Actually, the vet is supposed to call today with results re: the bloodwork/urinalysis...
I feel more prepared now on questions to ask...etc..

It hasnt even been 24 hours; im still trying to digest this whole thing...but thank you again for good advice & encouragement...


UGH....as I was writing this, the vet called.........Again, if I could keep a level head, Id do better...but as soon as he started listing Codys 'numbers' from the tests...I get weepy & weird..
In a nutshell, the numbers werent good. They detect some anemia, definite renal failure, possible infection in kidney or bladder..ugh, I dont know...
Im going there later to pick up some special food & an antibiotic...plus to learn about injecting fluids...Traci, just as you said! You know what you aRe talking about!


What a nightmare...

[Traci]

If the numbers are significantly high, you may want to hospitalize Cody with IV fluids (as your vet may suggest, ask him about it), this may give the kidneys a good chance of of mimimizing any renal crisis. Prompt, agressive hospitalization is crucial in a renal crisis.

Don't give up, it is harrowing when owners find out their kitty has renal failure, but talk to your vet in detail (take notes), so you get a better understanding of what's involved, every kitty is different with different needs, so don't leave the clinic until your vet has explained this to you. Good communication between you and your vet is crucial for Cody's treatment and management.

[Tambrey]

prayers that all goes well for Cody...kidney disease is managable as traci said, with proper care and diet...not unlike humans....my husband has an inherited kidney disease and has to watch his diet as well as take 4 different BP meds...


YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

If you can...please post the numbers and Traci can maybe give you a better idea on where things stand...

good luck!!

[mamabear]

I agree! YOU CAN DO THIS! You just need to finish going through the stages then you'll be set.! Ya know panic, the O my God I cant beleive this, the Oh why him?, the I will never be able to do this, the wait i have to make this work then of course....Yes i can do this for his sake! He is 16 and I surely hope this can be managed. Good that you listened to yourself and took him to the vet right away.

((((((((((((TISAT CODY))))))))))))))))))))

[LisaT]

Thank you all for responding...
I really appreciate the concern!
Today, I bought the special prescrition diet canned food--Cody ate some around 3, but just threw up (about 3 hrs later)...I got an antibiotic, and we gave him 1 dose...Tomorrow AM I take him to go do the hydrating thing (sorry, forgot the term..) and then Ill do that at home...

The numbers? I got a printout-

creatnine is 8.8
urea nitrogen 188
high calcium & phosphorous, and protein in urine..
2 pages of stuff, but I think those are the main things..

Again, what a nightmare!
Last Saturday, I was eating a hamburg, as 'Cote' sat on the table and took bites for himself! ( typical)

I cant believe this is happening so fast...I feel like Im in a whirlwind..

Thanks again e1..

[mamabear]

LisaT please do not feed him human food AT ALL. Did the Vet tell you how to change his food over so there was no throwing up? Make sure you watch how he eats so he does not gorge himself. Too fast means throw up. Even if you have to give it to him teaspoon by teaspoon you should dothat. But giving it to him without mixing it in with his food can cause throw up. Once he is use to the food he should be fine. If not then please call vet . But NO HUMAN FOOD AT ALL for him EVER. This is a very serious disease and you do not want to have to try to figure out what is causing what ailment he might have. If you only have him on one type of food then you know there are no other triggers or problems that might lead to something else.

Cats and dogs CAN NOT process our food that has been cooked. It makes them thier bodies go into overdrive(lack of a better word sorry ) and their organs have to work overtime in order to figure out what to do. In the wild they do not have a fast food place out there and if they have a choice they will choose NON cooked foods of course a starving animal will choose what is there but only out of necessity. Do not push his organs limits it will only hurt him...I know that you have been giving him this for a while now and nothing bad has happen but this is not the time to continue it. Do not give anything extra at all unless your vet says to. Suppliments, extra salts, meats fruits, veggies are useless if given to an animal that is already having a problem and you have no clue what to give and how to give it. That last line was just in case your friends tell you to use the latest trend in Homeopathic stuff to treat the ailment.

I like the prescription diets that they sell so that is a good food for him to be on.

NOTE: there are many different things that could have caused him to throw up so please monitor him and how often he throws up.

If you will be giving him subcutaneous fluids(SubQ some call it) then make sure when you go tomorrow that you help do it so you get a feel for it. Just a little FYI for ya in case you were wondering--> Subcutaneous means under the skin as apposed to in the muscle.

Good luck and keep us posted. I can not comment on the levels but I am sure you'll get some advice soon hon.

[LisaT]

Hey...thanks for your good advice & wise words!

I havent given him any 'human food' for a couple days...the hamburg was last Saturday--pre-any apparent problems...Im afraid that today he threw up the prescription food..

Its so strange...he went outside & hung on the porch tonight after the throwing up........I brought him in a little while ago & sat him on the kitchen counter in front of food, milk, and water............Nothing happened....

Im feeling negative about things tonight--but maybe this 'sub-q' tomorrow will perk us both up....


I hope you all know that no matter what the outcome, just typing this stuff and interacting with caring people really is helping me through a tough time...thank you all...

[Traci]

The vomiting may be a combination of dehydration, stress, new food, but most likely dehydration which causes nausea, a common symptom of renal insufficiency. Your vet can prescribe anti-nausea medication which may help considerably. Be sure that Cody eats something before you give the antibiotics, he should eat alittle something at least a half hour before you give the antibiotics. If he vomits again, tell your vet so he can determine whether it is from the antibiotic or dehydration. Don't give milk while on a course of antibiotics.

The enzymes are considerably elevated out of normal range, I'm surprised your vet didn't suggest IV fluids yesterday. Remember, IV and sub-q fluids are not the same....IV's flush the kidneys, help flush toxins from the kidneys. Sub-q fluids help combat dehydration, they are considered a good "pick-me-up" for renal patients, but cannot flush the kidneys as IV fluids do. Depending on how much renal function is lost, sub-q fluids are the mainstay in long-term treatment/management, given sometimes up to 4 times a week or so. IV fluid therapy is good for crisis events, when there is azotemia or combined symptoms, your vet can add additives (vitamins) to the IV fluids if necessary to address high calcium/phosphorus etc.

The anemia is concerning and you may want to retest with the CBC as early as next week or sooner if your vet advises. Hopefully the antibiotics will help that, but I would strongly suggest that you promptly ask your vet about the IV fluid therapy, this can help considerably to get the enzymes down to a safer level.

Again, ask your vet about testing thyroid function as well and checking for hypertension.