Kidney Disease in Cats

[KrissyCat7]

My cat was just diagnosed with the beginning of kidney disease. Fluffy is 19 years old but seems to be in good health. I feel hopeful, and feel that she will be with me for some time still. Have any of you been through this?

[SingleWhiteFemale]

Chronic renal failure, by any chance? Yep, I've dealt with it in one kitty (given 2 weeks-2 months, and lived a very happy and healthy 14 months) and am currently am going through it with my diabetic kitty. Anything in particular you're wondering about? Any details as to what your intended course of treatment is?

[KrissyCat7]

The vet said it was early stages. Her levels are elevated. We need to put her on a low protein diet and keep her hydrated. I have to take in a urine sample today so they can confirm kidney disease. I will talk to the vet more once we get those results back.

I dont know what Im really looking for. Info on treatments, prognosis, etc?

[SingleWhiteFemale]

I'd be really really careful if they start to attempt to sell you the K/D diets. The prevailing theory used to be that a cat in renal failure needed to go on a low protien diet. However, after doing so much research after my second cat's diagnosis (optimal diabetic diet is low carb/high protein, while it seemed that the best for renal failure was high carb/low protein!), it appears that now the thought is that it may have been the low phosphorus in these foods that was helpful, not the low protein, and that the quality of protein but not the amount is what matters. When it comes to getting kitty to eat K/D and the like prescription diets... good luck! I have heard of so many cats who boycott it almost immediately, if they even eat it at all in the beginning. There is a whole big discrepency about the information on the cat food labels versus the as fed, so here is the very helpful Janet and Binky's Food chart (http://www.geocities.com/jmpeerson/canfood.html). I'd look for a food that is low in phosphorus and high in quality protein (read the label, the first ingredients should be a muscle meat; organ meats are okay to be in it but shouldn't be primary ingredients). The consensus is though that yes, in end stage renal failure the K/D diets are beneficial. But, above all, it is important that kitty eats, regardless of what it is. Considering you'll be puting fluid into him, and moisture is what you want to give him, so dry food is not a good idea. If you can, switch him over to a predominantly or all wet food diet. My first cat, when she went into the ER and we were given the diagnosis, she was down from the 13 pounds to a mere 8 (she was long haired, I felt horrible not noticing the loss but she didn't look different at all!). They just wanted her to eat, so they gave her baby food, Heinz gravy in a jar, and Fancy Feast (which they refered to as junk food). I didn't know anything about feline nutrition at that point, they sent me home with a few cans of K/D which she wouldn't touch so I went over to Petsmart to get Fancy Feast. Even though it was complete "crap," she had a spectacular year in which she thrived on it. She ate about 3 cans a day. I tried to go to other foods (although none truly "quality" foods), but that's all she wanted. And because I was in the mindset of she's sick and at the end of her life, she should eat whatever she wants regardless if it is good for her. I wish I had her back--she would be in heaven with the stuff I buy now!!

As to In fluids, the first time I ever gaved them, I did it with my mother. She was scared, the cat was freaked, I was nervous, but it definately got easier from that point on. Always praise your cat after giving fluids, especially giving a snack they love, to reinforce the good behavior. When we went through this with my first cat, my mother and I both said that it wasn't bad, if we had to do it in the future to another animal it would be no question for any of them--except for the ornery hellraiser. But sure enough, 2 years later, guess who I'm giving IV fluids to?! He doesn't mind at all... we do it in one room, and when we're done (no more than 4 minutes start to finish, and that's for 150ml), he will not leave that room until he gets his treats! I've heard of cats who will go over to the spot where they get fluids and just sit there, waiting to get started then get their snack.

Here are a couple links for you: Feline CRF Information Center (http://www.felinecrf.com/manag0.htm) Feline CRF Information Centre (http://www.felinecrf.org/)

Oh! This could get expensive. There are many ways to curb costs, one of which I highly recommend. After you get through your first bag of IV fluids (the vet will show you what to do), get a prescription and buy them online. I have no problem with a slight markup on vet supplies, but the IV supplies are horrible. I paid $38 at the vet for the lactated ringer solution, IV set and 20 needles--online (my sister is now getting them wholesale for me through her pharmacy)) you can get the whole shebang for under $10/set!! There are one or 2 brick-and-mortar pharmacies/suppliers that come with great recommendations, when I get a chance I'll pull them up and post. You can also get them by the case (12) at your local pharmacy, but you do have to have them ordered and most likely, push to get the wholesale/discounted price (one woman, for the bags alone, was quoted over $200, but was able to get them down to $40 after pressing the isse).

What I did intially was with my first cat, since they only gave her 2 weeks-2 months, at one month I took her to my normal vet for a urinalysis to see where she was. She was definately elevated, but so much better than the values seen in the ER. My second kitty, I promised him I wouldn't take him to the vet unless it was very necessary, so we're at 10 months post diagnosis and he hasn't had another run (although, he will be going in for a check in a few weeks). In his case, I know that as he is diabetic and has CRF at his "advanced age" of 13 (I have a feeling that the horrible Science Diet dry food he had for the first 10 years of his life is what led him into these illnesses--not the first cat), I know there is only so much I can do, and knowing something bad is going on when most likely I can't or wouldn't be willing to fix it (there is only so much I know he'll tolerate, I don't want to lower his quality of life by poking and prodding him more than he wants, just so I can have him a little longer you know?). But, a lot of people go in on a 6 month interval to have urinalysis done to see what is going on. You can make a schedule of whatever you feel comfortable doing.

I've heard of cats surviving 6 years with renal failure when given a good diet and IV fluids. Just some info, if you've got any questions I'll try my best to answer them. Good luck!

[nnkgirl]

My dog, Nalla, has CRF. She was diagnosed about 1 1/2 years ago and she's doing better now than she has in a very long time! :D

Although they are different animals the overall idea and treatment is the same. I give her 500cc of sub-q fluids twice a week and that's helped her immensly!! Although I was a nervous wreck the first time I gave it to her it's cake now. I do have her on part KD and part home cooked diet. She was completely home cooked for awhile however her levels were elevating too high. I know it's a scary diagnosis but as long as you take the proper care you can have your kitty for a long time.

[KrissyCat7]

Thank you for sharing your stories.

We got the results from the urine test back today and the urine is not being concentrated as we suspected. Unfortunatly, they also found blood in the urine. They are going to do other tests tomorrow to determine if there is an infection.

I feel so helpless, I wish I could do more for my baby.

[nnkgirl]

My kitty had blood in her urine before and it wound up being from some kind of crystals (like styruvites or something) but they put her on some medicine and it did eventually go away. Don't worry, you're doing everything you can!! I know she's your baby and I always wish I could do more too but they'll fix her!!

[KrissyCat7]

Thanks nnkgirl! I know she will be ok. I am taking her in tomorrow and they will get another sample of urine so that they can see if she has an infection. She will most likely get put on antibiotics and they are also going to put her on CALCITRIOL.

Has anyone had any experience with calcitriol? From what Ive read it looks like it does benefit those cats with kidney disease.