Kitty advice needed

[Joie]

Just yesterday I took my 9.5 year old kitty to the vet. He had to get his blood retested as he showed slightly elevated levels for kidney and liver a few weeks ago. The liver levels were normal again but kidney still slightly elevated. He is now on a prescription diet except he will not eat the canned food. Does anyone have suggestions on how to get him to eat it? I have tried mushing it up and heating it but still not that interested.

Other than this, they said my boy was doing really well and if they had to estimate his age, they would have only estimated him at 6 years old. But I have also noticed his breathing lately and I am not sure if this is normal or whether I am just being paranoid because of the recent vet visits. His breathing is regular but every now and then he seems to take a deeper breath or sometimes when I put my hand on his chest it feels like a little flutter. It isn’t all the time, but I have noticed it a couple of times. My kitty doesn’t seem concerned, his behaviour is normal. The vets didn’t mention anything about this in his general checkup. Is it something I should take him back to the vet for or is this fairly normal?

[Tina B and crew]

If there is anything wrong with the breathing the vet would be able to pick it up by listening. If he's just taking what seems to be a deep breath every now and again then I wouldn't worry, all my cats seem to do that, almost like a sigh. However, if you feel the breathing is labored then take him back to the vet and have him checked.

As far as getting him to eat the food..did you gradually switch him by mixing it with his previous food? If not you might want to try that...then keep reducing the amounts of his old food until he's eating just the prescription diet. If he absolutely refuses to eat it check with your vet about other options. Good luck!!

[Joie]

A friend of mine said her kitties do this too, that she thinks it is a part of the purring mechanism. Does this sound right?

[Joie]

Thanks Tina B! I had not tried the mixing the food together. I will give it a go. I removed his dry food as he was filling up on that instead so hopefully with no other option he will eat the wet food. He had a small nibble just a while ago but not much.

Yeah my kitty is a big sigher during sleep (very cute) but this is a little different. He isn't exhaling air but just when looking at his side, the rhythm of his breathing changes. The majority of time it is normal, just every now and then it changes. Like you said, the vet would have picked up on this. Maybe I am just getting paranoid with all the vet visits recently!

[Tina B and crew]

Just keep an eye on him...you will know if the breathing is abnormal I think as you know your kitty better than anyone. If it concerns you call your vet just for reassurance. I know when I touch my kitties they sometimes do a little mini purr and then sigh. I just love cat behavior.

[Traci]

It is crucial the patient eats the prescribed diet, so if kitty isn't eating it, it is incumbent upon you and your vet to choose another veterinary diet, there are numerous veterinary prescribed diets available. Some cats may like one veterinary brand and may not eat another, it's crucial you and your vet choose one that is palatable to your cat. You can be refunded on the one he won't eat if you take it back and get a new one.

Also, if he's used to dry, then try feeding the dry type of veterinary diet. There's nothing wrong with feeding a dry veterinary prescription diet, as long as he is drinking normally.

As for the breathing, you must not rely on watching the abdomen, your vet needs to listen to kitty's heart and lungs to detect any signs of a problem. At any time you think something is amiss, do NOT dismiss it, contact your vet immediately -- renal disease is oftentimes associated with hypertension, which demands immediate veterinary attention and treatment. Also, some heart murmurs may not be detectable on one exam, and they can occur with age, so the vet needs to rule out heart murmurs as well.

[Joie]

Thanks for the advice Traci. I have to go the vet today to pick up more food and the good news is, he is eating the prescribed food. He still isn't too keen on the wet food (but he is eating it) but he loves the prescribed dry food so he certainly isn't going without. As for an additional check up, I will speak to his vet when I am there.

[mamabear]

Joie remember to gradually introduce the food. You want kitty to eat the new stuff but dont stress out kitty by just saying here eat this. What ever kitty is more comfortable eating then give that meaning the Dry or moist. But please make sure you put his regular food in there to lessen the stress.


good luck

[Joie]

Thanks Mamabear! I am real softie so if he was stressed at all I would give in and give him a can of the food he is use to. He isn't stressed. He is getting use to it, just something different for him. I think I was more concerned than he was! All seems to be going well so far.

[Traci]

Again, ask for a different prescribed diet for the canned. Don't keep switching other commercial canned brands, because this defeats the purpose of the prescribed food. Most commercial brands are high in protein, phosphorus and sodium, that's what you're trying to avoid with renal disease.