Cat diagnosed with kidney failure (canned food, UTI, main, diet) - - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

Keeper · 01-14-2012, 06:25 AM

Thank you all.. I appreciate all the advice and concerns. I will read more on Polycystic kidney failure.

I will try and get into to see the 'cat' vet at the vet's office on Monday. I am going to try the fluids and am soooo glad I didn't make a rash decision to have him PTS.
He did eat some wet food again this AM and a little last night. He is drinking a lot of water which I guess is good

http://bestsmileys.com/thankyou/1.gif (broken link)

greg42 · 01-14-2012, 07:22 AM

You mentioned the specific name again, and I see as you started to mention at the beginning, an inherited disease most often seen in persians and a couple other breeds. The age of your kitty is unfortunately apparently not an unusual time to see kidney failing symptoms if they are going to occur with PKD. The condition exists from birth and may or may not ultimately result in kidney failure in any given cat who is positive. In your cat's case, it has resulted in decreasing kidney function, and I would think at that point the treatment would in fact be the same as with the usual Chronic Kidney Disease aka CKD (or the older term CRF). While the PKD can be known early in the cat's life, the actual kidney failure is almost never diagnosed until the kidney function is at least 2/3 gone, and at that point cats can sometimes live for years still. So let's hope this is your outcome.

So although much of what we've suggested here comes from our experiences with CKD, the treatment in your case will be similar. Here's an article that is specific to PKD:
Polycystic Kidney Disease
Note treatment doesn't equal cure. Any treatment with fluids, etc, would be ongoing for the rest of the cat's life. But as you see the treatments will look like what is described in the felinecrf.org links above.

Drinking lots of water is common in kidney disease cats. What happens though is they can't really drink enough to stay hydrated, and that is what the sub-q fluids will help. He may even start splashing the water; this is a behavior that I just noticed was mentioned in the felinecrf.org info. Our CKD cat did this. In fact, if I think back, I think she did it well before she was diagnosed, so I wonder if we might see this as an earlier warning indicator? Interesting. I am constantly watching my remaining cat's drinking habits at this point. But so far all she has is slightly elevated BUN (along with the hyperthyroid).

Keeper · 01-14-2012, 07:50 AM

Thanks Greg.. I guess I am still trying to understand everything and want to be sure I do what is best for my sweet boy. I think I get it now that no matter it may be caused by a different issue it would be treated the same as CKD. I am now kicking myself for not giving him fluids yesterday. We will be there Monday so they can give him the fluids.

CoCo checking out snow for the first time

catsmom21 · 01-14-2012, 07:54 AM

All paws crossed for Coco. For some reason I thought he had had fluids while at the vet. I must have read it wrong. Could you get him in this morning for a quick session? I would urge you to do it, if at all possible, it will go a long way toward helping him feel better.

Keep us posted. Taking care of a special needs kitty is hard work, a real roller coaster of ups and downs, but also infinitely rewarding. The bond you form can be incredible.

=^..^= · 01-14-2012, 08:29 AM

There is nothing I can add to the great information others have given. My heart goes out to you and your kitty.

brava4 · 01-14-2012, 08:31 AM

I am really sorry. I say this only as a very loving and caring pet owner and animal lover. I just had a cat, my sweet Silvia, die of cancer. I started to give her oral chemo meds and had to reliaze that I wasn't doing her any good, she was going to die from this no matter what I did. I had to look very seriously at what my motives were. I realized I was just trying to prevent the invitable.
I didn't want my kitty suffering and didn't want her to suffer if I was at work and she needed me.

It is very heartbreaking to have to make the decision. My thoughts are with you and your kitty.

subject2change · 01-14-2012, 08:43 AM

I can't add anything, either. Just hoping you find that fluids will give Coco some quality time ahead. If you find that's not the case, I hope his passing will be easy and you will find strength to deal with this difficult time.

greg42 · 01-14-2012, 08:47 AM

Beautiful kitty. Look at that picture, he's almost like "Wait, what IS this stuff?"

My own thought would have been that a few extra days without the fluid won't be too critical in the grand scheme of things, but I would always respect catsmom's opinion on such matters. Certainly from a comfort level it would help him. But I also wouldn't kick yourself too hard if it's just not possible. I think you'll still have time.

leanansidhex · 01-14-2012, 11:27 AM

With all that you have to think/worry about right now, some things will be too difficult, or just too much right now, so ... if you would like me to ... I'll research alternatives TO vets, and other vets in your area, where you could get CoCo fluids before Monday.

The vet I took Meeko to for sub Qs (4 times in a week) when I first got him, had a vet tech do the procedure so I didn't pay for an office visit or a DR. fee.
I did pay an office visit once, after his initial adoption exam, then they offered this arrangement.

Whether cost is a factor or not, it's still good to have money available/left for emergencies.

This 24/7 vet had some non-emergency hours and appointments on weekends so it wasn't Outrageously expensive.

Perhaps there is a Himalayan breeder or rescue close enough to you that would administer fluids, I never discount any possibility, or stop trying until I hear a definite "NO".

A local rescue just clipped Meekos' nails for a donation, I wasn't paying my Local vet $18 for an $8 job, and the snow made me not want to drive to his regular vet just for a nail trim.

If you want to DM your information about your location and where you could travel to, I'll be exhaustive in finding any possible way to get CoCo fluids before Monday.

Leannan

Keeper · 01-15-2012, 05:36 AM

Some good news. I did take him to another vet yesterday. I thought I could get him fluids but she said he was not 'that' dehydrated, however I need to take him back on Monday and Tuesday for the fluids. She wants to see the blood work but she said that his kidneys were slightly enlarged. I got some K/D food and when I brought him home he ate almost a whole can. http://bestsmileys.com/happy/5.gif (broken link)

I can not Thank You all enough for all the info and love for me and my sweet boy.