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I have 7 year old cat. Always been healthy, playful, indoor only.
For the last couple of years, she has vomited on a regular basis - about every other day, most hair (she has very long hair) but also a lot of fluid. It's a pain, but she has her own room (a large laundry room with a window and window seat) to stay in when we are not home, so any mess is usually easy to clean up. She was given a clean bill of health last year, and the vet was aware of the vomiting, and just chalked it up to her being a long hair. So that has not been a concern, health-wise, but I wanted to mention it here.
This past Tuesday night, I noticed that she had not eaten the entire day, nor was she drinking water. And she was noticeably thinner. I realized that she had not been eating all that much recently, but I guess I just didn't think anything of it as she seemed to be herself. I took her to the vet the very next morning. Tests showed kidney numbers off the charts. Had an ultrasound ($$$!!) done to rule out stones, cancer, etc. Now waiting for results of the urine analysis, which apparently takes 5 days.
Friday morning she was started on a round of meds - milk-of-magnesia stuff to help her kidneys work better, an antibiotic, and an appetite stimulant. So they are treating her under the assumption that it is a kidney infection, but they really don't know that, and they many not know even after the other test results are in. It's just a crap shoot really. So I asked them what type of response I could expect, to the meds. They said that I might see results as early as 12 hours. I bought some "wet" cat food (she's always eaten dry) on the vets advice, and put it on a saucer for her, yesterday evening before we went out, just in case.
We got home last night, and she had not eaten a thing. But about 5 minutes after we got home, she got up, walked over to the dish, and chowed down. She then drank water too...quite a bit. I gave her her meds, and this morning she had more fluids from the vet. Today shes eating and drinking...but still quite weak. But she is craving attention as she normally would. (She's in my lap as I type - oops! She just jumped down. )
Here's my question: Is her eating and drinking now, an indication that she might be recovering from whatever ails her, with the help of the meds? Or is is strictly a reaction to the meds? Does that make sense? I guess I am asking if there is any chance that cats recover from such serious kidney numbers, if there is permanent damage that simply can't be undone. The vet dr. has been out of the office since the first visit so I've not been able to see her since then -only the aides/assistants. And they seem like they just want to sugar coat everything. I don't want that. I want to know the real deal. I have to give some thought to her future care if she is going to be a sick cat the rest of her life. Unfortunately I'm away from home often - not all the time, but I work full-time, and travel, and I do a lot of things out of the house, and my son is getting to the age where I cannot depend on him to be home either. So I just thought I'd ask what others have experienced with this frustrating illness. She's a sweetie, and it just tears me up for her to be so sick now.
Last edited by ChessieMom; 10-03-2009 at 11:44 AM..
She is most likely feeling better from the meds/fluids. Hard to make a guess about a prognosis with a diagnosis.
Kidney problems are not a death sentence. Usually dietary modifications will make a huge difference. My last cat lived just over 5 years after his CRF was diagnosed.
It is possible she ate some bad food in 2006-2007 before all the recalls. It caused crystals to build up in the kidneys. My cat had some problems like you describe twice, and recovered, before she went on subcutaneous fluids every 4-5 days. I did that at home. She lived another year like that and recently had to be PTS. She only had 1 kidney, congenital defect, so she went quicker than otherwise, I think. However, her first kidnewy panel values were not "off the chart." I don't want to be discouraging, you really need to talk to the vet.
I guess I am asking if there is any chance that cats recover from such serious kidney numbers, if there is permanent damage that simply can't be undone.
You need to separate "complete reversal" from "permanent, but manageable". Seeing as the answer is going to completely and utterly depend on test results, don't drive yourself nuts speculating now. Wait and see what the tests come back with and take it from there.
If there are kidney issues - or even if there are not, just because she's been ill and lost weight - you do need to pay particular attention to the ingredients and the quality of the ingredients in the food she's getting.
It is possible she ate some bad food in 2006-2007 before all the recalls. It caused crystals to build up in the kidneys. My cat had some problems like you describe twice, and recovered, before she went on subcutaneous fluids every 4-5 days. I did that at home. She lived another year like that and recently had to be PTS. She only had 1 kidney, congenital defect, so she went quicker than otherwise, I think. However, her first kidnewy panel values were not "off the chart." I don't want to be discouraging, you really need to talk to the vet.
The ultrasound showed her kidneys to be normal - no defects. I've looked at the lists of the cat food recalls, and I never purchased any of those.
Yes, I know I need to talk to the vet - I was just trying to get an idea of other people's experiences. If she has to have fluids given the rest of her life, that would be a problem - that is the type of thing I am concerned with. Even daily medicines would be an issue. I am often gone 2-3 days at a time, and there is no one that I would, or could, hand off that task to.
You need to separate "complete reversal" from "permanent, but manageable". Seeing as the answer is going to completely and utterly depend on test results, don't drive yourself nuts speculating now. Wait and see what the tests come back with and take it from there.
If there are kidney issues - or even if there are not, just because she's been ill and lost weight - you do need to pay particular attention to the ingredients and the quality of the ingredients in the food she's getting.
I am feeding her the little cans now...Fancy Feast, in gravy - that sort of thing. That is what the vet recommended. She is definitely eating it! It's a big change from her Purina/Iams dry food, that is for sure.
I am feeding her the little cans now...Fancy Feast, in gravy - that sort of thing. That is what the vet recommended. .
Look, with all due respect to your vet, (and no, I'm not a vet) the quality of the ingredients as well as the ingredients themselves that go into ANY supermarket brand are well-documented and inarguable.
If she doesn't need to be on a specialised diet of any sort, you can easily do better for the cat - Wellness, EVO, Merrick - i.e. any of the premium brands readily available at any pet store are going to put more of what she needs into her and less and what she doesn't (sugar, salt, grains, etc.)
Alternatively, and cheaper, is to make your own food. I understand you work full time and travel, etc. etc. - but this recipe you make up in a large batch and freeze.
Dr. Fox's Homemade 'Natural' Cat Food Recipe (http://www.twobitdog.com/DrFox/Dr-Fox-Cat-Food-Recipe - broken link)
At the end of the day, any and all animals are the embodiment of their diet. An animal that's been ill and is convalescing needs special attention.
Look, with all due respect to your vet, (and no, I'm not a vet) the quality of the ingredients as well as the ingredients themselves that go into ANY supermarket brand are well-documented and inarguable.
If she doesn't need to be on a specialised diet of any sort, you can easily do better for the cat - Wellness, EVO, Merrick - i.e. any of the premium brands readily available at any pet store are going to put more of what she needs into her and less and what she doesn't (sugar, salt, grains, etc.)
At the end of the day, any and all animals are the embodiment of their diet. An animal that's been ill and is convalescing needs special attention.
I wouldn't consider giving her any home-made food unless the vet recommended it. I'm not questioning the food - what I am giving her is exactly what they recommended. (Fancy Feast is not a supermarket brand - it's a well-known national brand). But I do appreciate the advice. I'll do some more checking on the food.
Last edited by ChessieMom; 10-03-2009 at 07:07 PM..
I wouldn't consider giving her any home-made food unless the vet recommended it. I'm not questioning the food - what I am giving her is exactly what they recommended. (Fancy Feast is not a supermarket brand - it's a well-known national brand). But I do appreciate the advice. I'll do some more checking on the food.
I think you misunderstood FiveHorses. Fancy Feast is a brand sold in supermarkets. Most supermarkets don't stock the high quality cat foods. There are a few flavors of FF that are on the approved list for diabetic cats, meaning gluten free, grain free. Some of the other FF is just junk. I know your cat is not diabetic...I'm just trying to explain the difference. And some times, just a change in diet can do wonders for a cat. There are a lot of diabetic cats that go into remission just by changing their diet to gluten and grain free.
Another thing to consider is that vets aren't taught nutrition in school. You can not always take your vets word for gospel. My vet of 18 yrs. pushed Hill's Science diet on my cats and that is some of the worst stuff out there! I've switched all my cats to gluten and grain free. I've had too many heart aches from feeding them that crap. I hope I'm not coming across preachy. That is not my intent. Check out this web site www.catnutrition.org It really opened my eyes and will give you a ton of info. There is nothing wrong with homemade food for them, as long as it is done properly. I don't follow a strict homemade diet for them, but I do use it occasionally as a special treat for them.
I wish you and your kitty luck. I hope everything turns out ok.
I think you misunderstood FiveHorses. Fancy Feast is a brand sold in supermarkets. Most supermarkets don't stock the high quality cat foods. There are a few flavors of FF that are on the approved list for diabetic cats, meaning gluten free, grain free. Some of the other FF is just junk. I know your cat is not diabetic...I'm just trying to explain the difference. And some times, just a change in diet can do wonders for a cat. There are a lot of diabetic cats that go into remission just by changing their diet to gluten and grain free.
Another thing to consider is that vets aren't taught nutrition in school. You can not always take your vets word for gospel. My vet of 18 yrs. pushed Hill's Science diet on my cats and that is some of the worst stuff out there! I've switched all my cats to gluten and grain free. I've had too many heart aches from feeding them that crap. I hope I'm not coming across preachy. That is not my intent. Check out this web site Cat Nutrition.Org It really opened my eyes and will give you a ton of info. There is nothing wrong with homemade food for them, as long as it is done properly. I don't follow a strict homemade diet for them, but I do use it occasionally as a special treat for them.
I wish you and your kitty luck. I hope everything turns out ok.
Thanks, I will check that site out.
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She then drank water too...quite a bit. I gave her her meds, and this morning she had more fluids from the vet. Today shes eating and drinking...but still quite weak. But she is craving attention as she normally would. (She's in my lap as I type - oops! She just jumped down.
)
I guess I am asking if there is any chance that cats recover from such serious kidney numbers, if there is permanent damage that simply can't be undone. The vet dr. has been out of the office since the first visit so I've not been able to see her since then -only the aides/assistants. And they seem like they just want to sugar coat everything. I don't want that. I want to know the real deal. I have to give some thought to her future care if she is going to be a sick cat the rest of her life. Unfortunately I'm away from home often - not all the time, but I work full-time, and travel, and I do a lot of things out of the house, and my son is getting to the age where I cannot depend on him to be home either. So I just thought I'd ask what others have experienced with this frustrating illness. She's a sweetie, and it just tears me up for her to be so sick now.
That is not my intent. Check out this web site 
