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Hi, what is his diet? Is he eating a lot of dry foods and prescription foods?
Hi, my cat got diabetes, and UTI almost every other month, and ckd for eating dry foods for the first 6 years of her life. We never knew it is bad for all cats and dogs. Dry foods are the NUMBER 1 causing sickness in cats and dogs like UTI, CKD, DIABETES, name it and it has it all. Loaded with carbs. We never knew was bad, until she got diabetes and sign of ckd.
It took me almost a year to persuade her to eat raw chicken. Too much tears and stressed I got, just like you, but now it pays all my hardwork, research, time, effort and prayers,To make it short, she is now eating raw chicken balanced with taurine and vitamins. I was amazed with the book my “ NATURAL CATS” when the author mentioned, most if not all of her cats’ diseases were healed after giving them raw. I have proved this to my own cat to be 100% true. She is now back to normal, and healthier than before. No more insulin- no more running around in the house when injection time, no more tears in my eyes blaming myself I should have know better that dry foods are bad. Her creatinine is now at 1.5, and SDMA-9
This is the web
www.catinfo.org
This web also discuss the deep knowledge in cat’s healthier diet where I got my cat’s raw recipe. It also discusses the greedy companies creating all these prescription can foods and if you look at it- nothing in the ingredients made it prescriptions, they are just fooling us and ripping us. Please visit and read, to make your cat healthier and longer life with Less vet bills. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-31-07 |
🥺🙏🙏 | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-31-07 |
Still makes me sad 😢 | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-31-07 |
He is the first cat I owned. And we literally went through the time of our lives in my 20s and 30s. From life to death, from having nothing to having everything. Some of the highlights I wanna tribute to him: he was there for me when I went through the immigration appeal, lost, appealed again, and I won that time; first time winning a jackpot; me getting married; his cat sister passed away due to FeLV, me moving from Canada to the US; lived through the pandemic; the closest friend getting a baby, and meeting the baby; same friend passing away when the baby was 9 months old due to COVID complications; getting another cat brother etc... He was all there for me. Now it’s time to celebrate his life being my best companion. Our lives are full of ups and downs, unfortunately, everything came to an end for you, I have to learn how to move on without you. There’s nothing more I could possibly ask for. Thank you for all your unconditional love Guozhi! | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Thank you for the ton of information. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-09-08 |
I’m so very sorry. Beautiful baby😢 | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-13-08 |
Awwww-some cats are real healers aren’t they? I just lost my healer boy tabby today. It’s so sad to lose these beautiful souls | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-13-08 |
Thank you | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-13-08 |
Sorry for your loss, unfortunately farewell is part of their journey. At least we provided the best possible to them while they were alive. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-13-08 |
Sorry for your loss, my heart breaks for you, we lost our boy (whom we’d adopted 2 years ago), it’s been three months but I’m still grieving. A big hug to you. Hope you can find some solace in memories of the precious moments you shared with him. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-31-07 |
And to you too ❤️ | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-31-07 |
He's beautiful. Sorry for your loss. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
The only logical response is to go get 6 to fill the void | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
😂 | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
It could be ACUTE kidney disease- CKD can’t be that young. Not at 2 years old.
CKD is a progression and not at that early age. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-02-08 |
It was chronic, likely congenital, diagnosed before 2 years. According to the 4 or 5 vets that treated him, including a major veterinary hospital. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-02-08 |
Aw jeez there aren’t words to convey my condolences to you.so sorry for your loss | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-11-08 |
On June 10th I lost my Natalee. She was the most beautiful,loving,sweet girl that I could ever wish for,she was 22. She always ate well,drank water with no problem but when she developed thyroid disease the vet said pretty much to be prepared because kidney disease goes hand in hand,just like you said,same exact words. In the end she wasn't the same cat, I can't even go into it but she lost so much weight and her behavior changed and it was time. I'm sorry for your loss, it's heartbreaking. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4864943/ | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-05-08 |
Cats usually develop CKD because of their diets. Cat food is primarily protein. The best thing you can do for your kitty cat(s) is preventative care. Please take them to their Vet minimum 2xs a year, and have blood work and UA (urine analysis) at LEAST once a year. Yes, high quality cat food will help in the long run. The better the food, the healthier the cat. And yes, the better food is more expensive, BUT a healthy cat that doesn't have to go to the Vet often is the pay off. Cat food cost vs Vet bills, which would you rather pay for? Remember, when a cat finally starts to show symptoms it can sometimes be too late. I hope this little blurb helps! Best wishes! 🐾❤️🐾 | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-09-08 |
I found my cat on the street 6 and a half years ago. Definitely a former house cat but horrible dental care and just overall not a well kept cat (basil cell carcinoma growing on top of head). I now have him 6 and a half years and he developed ckd2. I am sitting here blaming myself trying to figure out what I did wrong. But now I realize after this comment the damage may have already been done (and just not apparently visible) years before I even had the pleasure of bringing him into my home and heart. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-30-08 |
Your cat had a kidney stone removed??? Are you sure it wasn't a bladder stone?? Only asking because most Vets won't attempt to remove a kidney stone, VERY risky. With regards to the cat's diet, how old and does she/ he have CKD or just stones? If she/ he is a young cat you might want to have a conversation with your Vet about lowering the PHOS level instead of putting the cat on a renal diet. Renal diets do cause muscle atrophy. Also, all Rx RC cat foods have an s/o index to help keep bladder stones and crystals at a minimum. I hope this helps. Best wishes! | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-09-08 |
Yep it was a kidney stone -- calcium oxalate stone to be specific. It was right between her bladder and ureter so they were able to do a cystotomy to "pluck" it out. Her surgery and ICU team were amazing. She is 6 years old and with her post op blood work she had good creatinine, BUN and phosphorus levels, not indicative of CKD. She'll have more blood work done in a week! Her vet wanted a renal diet to help prevent future stones but good to keep in mind about the muscle atrophy - I'll ask about it. Thank you!! | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-10-08 |
Kidney treatment usually consists of prescription food and at home fluids. My cat was at late stage two when diagnosed and with the prescription food and fluids, she went back down to baseline. It was truly a stroke of luck to catch it when we did.
Kidney fluids for a month or more are about $50 with my vet at least (a bag of 1000ml, with doing 2-3 sessions per week lasts us a month), also, if you get the bag, line, and needles at least once from your vet, ordering them from chewy after can be cheaper. and prescription kidney disease dry food would be about $40 for 1.5- 2 months for a smaller girl cat, wet food in addition but any prescription kd food, wet or dry, is better than none - the dry being cheaper long term. In my experience, the prescription food is more important than the fluids, but of course it depends.
If your vet already determined your kitty had kidney disease, they should have given you a prescription for the food - if they didn't, you absolutely shouldn't have to pay to go back to get it. Just call and ask for a paper prescription (where I live, only Petsmarts with a vet clinic inside sell prescription food, or the vet themselves). Try hard to get at least prescription food and give your kitty some time on that.
Most of us never expect how expensive a pet can truly be, that when there's serious issues it feels even more expensive than when humans have the same issues. I know I never expected the expenses of having an elderly cat and have taken up all my credit for my her. It is hard. I'm wishing you both the best. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Also, what is the ultrasound for? Is it expected she has kidney stones or a tumor or anything? | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
I am sorry you have to go through this. I too had a cat with kidney disease and watched him suffer for a few months before I had to let him go. They will tell you when they are ready. Bagheera did by not eating, drinking, using the box, playing, being a lazy bum vs his goofy self. We gave him an extra three months. It still hurts to think about. It feels wrong to let them go. But it is for the best when they are ready. We did all we could for him then one day we knew it was time to let him go. Big deep breath. It will be ok. It will hurt for a while. One day, a kitten will just show up at your home or at work. Until then listen to your sweet baby. Give her the best until she says it is time. You are allowed to grieve. Give yourself time. Grief is a very weird emotion, not everyone grieves the same way. It will be ok. Remember the better times. I hope this helps a little. ❤️ | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Thank you ❤️ | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-03-08 |
Apologies for the delay here!!!
So basically when she did the X-rays and blood work with a vet that isn’t her ‘primary’ vet, they said everything looked pretty good but told me to bring her back in for sub q fluids since at the time she had 0 appetite, was super lethargic, hiding all day, etc.
But then the following day I had taken her in for sub q fluids and the appetite stimulant, her primary vet was there and asked how Dumpling was doing. That was when he mentioned that he took a look at the X-rays and something looked ‘strange’ with the kidneys, and recommended the ultrasound to see if there was something that maybe the X-ray didn’t capture.
Thankfully the ultrasound showed there wasn’t an obstruction/mass/tumor anywhere nor in the kidneys (this was my number 1 concern so I was suuuuuper relieved).
However he ended up findings “signs” of IBD in her intestines so they started her on b12 tablets, a liquid medication (I’m forgetting the name), and omeprazole. I feel like she’s gotten leaner but in a healthy way? Before I was giving her half RAWZ dry cat food and half Solid Gold wet food. I honestly thought it was fine to give her some dry food to help with her teeth or whatever, but maybe she’s grown resistance to it? Or maybe she was eating more of the dry food and less of the wet food so she wasn’t getting sufficient hydration already making her susceptible to dehydration after vomiting a hairball?. Moving forward I’m keeping her on a 100% wet food diet though.
Currently I have her on those daily medications and Hill’s i/d prescription food and I feel like she’s back to her normal self 😻 I think the sub q fluids every other day + appetite stimulant is what really turned things around. There were a few days there where she wasn’t drinking nor eating and thus not going to her litter box.
Her primary vet says to just continue with the combination for the next 2-3 months at which time she can be reevaluated / weaned off the medication.
I hate to say everything happens for a reason but this really opened my eyes to the importance of preventive coverage + insurance. I know where my first paycheck is going, that’s for sure. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-08-08 |
Just responded to your other comment and echoed exactly what you said. I honestly underestimated the importance of insurance for cats. Like I had the wellness plan to cover annual checkups which was fine for the past 3 years but you just never know!
I’ve learned ALOT about cats in this process, and really how much I’m willing to do to make sure my cat feels good.
The silver lining is she seems to be WAAAAAAY more affectionate since getting better. She suddenly appreciates my servitude - I’ll take all the love I can get 😂 | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-08-08 |
My kitty Babykitten was doing this meatloaf sitting for about a month and I am learning about it tonight , 3 nights after she passed away in my arms.
Love to you and your sweet Kitty. She’s stronger than you think. All cats are. My cat always amazed me with her resilience. My biggest regret is not bringing her into my bed and sleeping with her on her last night on earth. Instead she slept on her favorite mat in the meatloaf position. I wish I had known about this earlier.
The end seemed to come like a hurricane. Read your horoscope. Brush her with her favorite brushes. Give her whipped cream.
Hugs. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-10-08 |
Rest in peace to Babykitten ♥️♥️ I like to think they watch from above and know how much we miss them, and how much they meant to us. Hindsight is 20/20 & it’s hard to know what symptoms translate to, sometimes! Please don’t blame yourself. One of the things I noticed while she was sick was that even if I put her next to me, on me, in her favorite spot.. it didn’t matter, she would get off and go sit like a loaf. It must be so uncomfortable that they wish they could be next to you, but they have to be absolutely still
:-(( At least we know the signs now
My kitty has been so much better and during the hump of her recovery, I was SO shocked by her resilience. She’s a Scorpio just like me, and apparently I should be getting out of a dark past 2 months. (I heard that after all of this happened so I’m keeping the hope alive 😅
What I appreciate is that she is a lot more affectionate now, as if she appreciates me more :3
Sending you hugs! | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-15-08 |
There a little pricer now, not by much more. I'm trying them on the seafood variant. The poultry was good, minus the turkey. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-10-08 |
Yeah, the chicken, and salmon, my boys loved. I heard not to solely feed seafood but you know, how much time do they have left? If they eat it, that's amazing. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-10-08 |
So little update I switched to hills and he’s eating! | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-04-08 |
Yay! | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-04-08 |
If you are calculating percentages on a dry matter basis, you need to first look at the percentage of moisture content. If the moisture content is 75%, then the actual solid food content is 25%. If the percentage of phosphorus on a dry matter basis is 20% and your cat eats the whole can (assuming that’s the serving size), you’re going to subtract 75 from 100. This will give you 25. If you divide .20 (phosphorus) by 25 (solid food), you will get .008. To turn this into a percentage, multiply by 100. This will give you .8%. The recommended range is .3-.6% so, in this case, you would want to add a phosphorus binder (I was told 1/8 tsp daily, split between meals if using 35g) | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-03-08 |
Sorry for your loss. I just lost my little girl two mornings ago. Trying to make sense of it and probably will never fully recover. Although it wasn’t to renal issues but likely pneumonia that led to organ issues, she was gone too early and downhill too fast. All we can do it cherish their memory and when ready give it to another, they’re so deserving | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
🙏🏽 | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
😢😢😢😢☹️😕☹️ | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
I'm so sorry for you as well. The loss is absolutely terrible. Although some people don't understand how bad it can be, many do. I think this is one thing that the world has actually improved upon. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
That's horrible! And should not have happened. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
What a beautiful soul this one radiates through the pictures. I'm so sorry for both of you. I hope you can take some comfort in the support you have here. It's a tragedy. One's heart and soul just rips. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
I'm so sorry for your loss :(( | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Thank you 😊 I think you might be right | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Sorry for your loss | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
This just happened to my baby 😭 the exact same situation….i’m sorry ❤️ their energy stays always | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
So sorry 😢 may she be at peace at the rainbow bridge until you meet again 🌈🐾🙏 | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
I'm in the UK and did SubQ at home with my vet's blessing. I was forever in and out of there picking up small bags, needles, etc. Meds were done regularly at the vet office though, but the vet was quite kind with his pricing since I became such a frequent customer. I do have a medical background and am otherwise well-known to my vet though. I suspect if someone was just showing up very infrequently and aren't on a good working basis with the vet that the request could be a little trickier.
Biggest issue I ran into was my CKD cat's anemia and RBCs becoming critically low at the end of his life. From what I learned, vet hospitals in the UK aren't able to stock cat blood and donor cats come from an extremely limited list with only the most certain of recovery cases being allowed to access a UK donor. Dog blood can be transfused, but it is a buying time thing rather than a true treatment since cats will reject it - most within a week. In the before times, cat blood would be imported from Europe overnight and the reasons were far looser since the availability was so great. Thanks Brexit. I've started making serious plans to relocate to the continent or elsewhere because of it: my cats don't get sloppy second best treatment options. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-02-08 |
Thank you. The vet confirmed some arthritis with my cat also and prescribed a very small dosage of gabapentin. I also changed from the regular litter box to a plastic under the bed clothing storage container which is a much larger rectangle giving her more room. This has also helped alot. Thank you for your suggestions and help. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-19-08 |
If she's not already on prescription KD food, switch to that as well :)
Congrats on a successful subq session! The first time I did fluids by myself with my girl I had a full anxiety attack and only realized I was trembling afterward 😂 it's become second nature since then:)
Also, I wait to give my kitty wet food on fluid day until it's fluid time (I can see yours is eating during fluid time but just adding the idea in case). That way she is occupied by the wet food while receiving fluids. She's also oddly okay with 18 gauge needles which makes the fluids go much faster rather than the typical 20 gauge they give. Not sure what size needle you're using, but if your kitty will allow 18 gauge it's so much quicker. The only thing I have to be careful with is making sure I move the insertion point around a little each time and to make sure I squeeze her skin a bit when removing it because otherwise it will scab.
At least Bella is still a little feisty! That's a good sign:) | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-31-07 |
That’s a huge achievement! Gives me some hope 😊 Your cat is lucky to have a caring owner, hope she shows some improvement! | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Thanks so much! 💗 She is my baby lol. I’ve had her since I was 16 and I’m about to turn 31! | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
That was so nice… I didn’t know how much I needed to hear that. Thank you ❤️❤️❤️ | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-09-08 |
You’re welcome. 😻 | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-09-08 |
I’m so sorry. She was a beauty. I’m actually having to put my 19 year old down today and I keep struggling with it it’s the right time.
My thoughts are with you. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
It’s a hard decision that I don’t wish on anyone … I’m sorry for your loss. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Thank you | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
I am sorry for your loss, and I totally understand what you are going through. I t is the hardest thing, losing our kitty babies!😻😻😻♥️♥️♥️♥️😻 | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-02-08 |
So sorry. You did the right thing. She’s not suffering anymore. You thought of her needs. Cherish the memories❤️ | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-03-08 |
It is a very hard decision. Sometimes we make it moment to moment. If you think it is time now can you discuss with your ex wife? I have begun more and more to think it is better to let them go while they are not completely bad but still have their dignity. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
hey did you try the porus one? I personally wouldn't put down a cat who is still enjoying life even somewhat and sounds like she's actively engaged. I'd also get a second opinion seems crazy to me they recommended against subQ fluids. I turned around more than one cat for substantial amounts of time by ignoring vet gloom and doom and simply finding as many ways to help them as I could | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-04-08 |
What is it with Fancy Feast pate?? My cat refuses anything else. Not even the other FF options - it must be pate and it must be seafood of some variety or he yells at me and walks away from it. Just starting this renal kitty journey with a 14 year-old spoiled little man and feeling a little defeated with diet options. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
I don’t really know other than I spent way too much money on food that mine just doesn’t like. My girl is 19 though and I rescued her when she was 8. She has gotten anything and everything she wants all of these years with me so I just give her whatever she likes. I know she won’t have too many years left so I just do what she says. Hopefully she will leave me HERE house in the will!🙀🤭🤣🤣😻🤣 | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-30-08 |
My girl lost 0.5 pounds in three weeks. Vet is supposed to call tomorrow with lab work. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-31-07 |
I'm sorry to hear that, I hope she has a good report. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
She’s 5.9 pounds now 😔😔I’m very anxious for the blood work results | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
It’s hard not to feel guilty about our pets. But we have to remember we are not professionals and cats are very good at hiding their pain/ discomfort. You can only do as much as the vet says. You did not fail at all, you give all your love and time to you baby. I wish I had better advice but your baby loves you and you cannot blame yourself for him/her getting sick. I’m so sorry you are going through this. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-03-08 |
i love you so much and I'm sure our baby boy will be okay in the end :3 keep your head up honey 💜💜💜 | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-03-08 |
i love you more :3 thank you so much :3 | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-03-08 |
Did they do a urinalysis? Should be checking for UTI’s and dilute urine. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-30-08 |
Yes they did! It came back all clear. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-30-08 |
Was the urine dilute or concentrated? | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-30-08 |
It might have been concentrated. It was noted that it was dark yellow. She’s not dehydrated, or Atleast she’s not showing usual signs of dehydration | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-30-08 |
CKD kitties usually also have dilute urine that goes along with their elevated kidney blood values. You cats creatine would fall under stage 2 but you should see what the urine concentration was and also push for an ultrasound. There’s a great fb page you can join and they can help guide you. It’s called Feline Chronic Kidney Disease. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-30-08 |
Google for feline CRF/CKD online support groups, they will have the best supply info. It’s been over 10 years since my CRF kitty went to the rainbow bridge but I would buy my own supplies and administered myself.
I did like the Terumo UTW (ultra thin wall) as they got the fluids in faster with a smaller poke.
It’s not as scary as it looks. My cat used to jump up on my lap when it was time for fluids. The huge pile of bonito flakes (I purchased thru Asian grocery cause it’s cheaper than buying them as cat treats) was also a big motivator for him.
Good luck to you and your sweet baby! | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-31-07 |
Hello, your vet or online research can show you how to check if your cat is dehydrated. Usually it is noticeable when the skin of your cat doesn’t go down when gently pinched or tented.
If your cat does look dehydrated, please have the heart checked first to see if the cat is okay for fluids (i understood that it puts a little stress on the heart so important to check). It will also be important to make sure to understand how much to give - your vet can determine this…mine was on 100ml daily, others will do less in terms of volume and frequency (e.g. 75ml daily or say 100ml twice a week or 50ml twice a day for X days).
Regarding supplies, obtaining from the vet is convenient but rarely cost effective I think. Chewy has supplies (fluid bags and lines) which will be at a fraction of the cost. Links here:
https://www.chewy.com/vetivex-veterinary-dehp-free-lactated/dp/179220
https://www.chewy.com/primary-iv-set-macrobore-prepierced-y/dp/204479
I purchased Terumo needles from thriving pet (please check Tanya’s site which is a great resource for where to purchase supplies from) 18g, 19g and 20g. I found the 20 gauge worked best for my cat. Took slightly longer but the needle smaller so tolerated much better than the bigger 18g one that is commonly sold.
Good luck and hope this helped. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
What are her levels like? Let me know and I can give some hydration recommendations. Consider giving B12 as an appetite stimulant. It is what I do. Check my profile comments. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
You can get all the supplies from the vet. It's a very routine request and many pet parents opt to do subq fluids themselves. : ) | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
I didn't read through the comments so I apologize if it's already been mentioned, but if you're in the US ask your vet to write you a prescription for a case of lactated ringers because you can get a whole box of 12 bags for only around $50 at Costco!
They sell IV lines on Amazon (though they can be cheaper elsewhere but other sites charge for shipping so it's only worth it if you buy in bulk). I prefer 18g Terumo needles because the metal is thinner than other brands, which means the fluids can flow faster. I get mine on ShopMedVet; a box of 100 is only $7 plus shipping.
Doing them at home is SO much cheaper (and typically less stressful for everyone) than having them done at the vet. My 15 year old baby gets them every day and they're just part of her normal routine now. I warm them up by wrapping them in a heating pad so that they're not as uncomfortable for her. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
You take the skin from the back of the neck and pull it up gently,, then put the needle in. The needle is big but they don't feel it much because there aren't a lot of nerves there. You can Google a video too. I make sure I open up all but one of the things that keep the fluids from going thru the tube till the needle is in. Then I open up the last "lock". I also do it while my kitty is resting so she is comfortable and relaxed.
You do need a prescription and you can get from your vet and do at home. If your vet doesn't allow that you can order from Chewy.
Hope that helps you and good luck. Love your baby all you can. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
My boy Gandalf (Neutered M, 14yrs, stage 2/3 CKD) just got his second injection of Solencia for osteoarthritis about a week ago and since yesterday he has seriously slowed down and has been acting strange (Sitting in places/positions he normally doesnt, limping and losing his balance while walking, staring off into space with glazed eyes)
He does not "appear" to be in pain based on the feline grimace scale, but these behaviors are concerning especially since after his first dose none of these things happened.
I have read some concerning things online about Solencia side effects and am planning to take him to his (cat specialist) vet soon, but I was interested to hear from the community and see if other people have experienced similar issues.
I know he is potentially coming to the end of his life very soon, which is breaking my heart, but I was hopeful about the Solencia treatment and it seemed to really make a difference for him. Now, I'm not so sure.
Like I said above, he will be seeing his vet soon (appointment is on Friday, potentially they will be able to squeeze him in tomorrow), but I would love to hear any information you all might be able to provide.
TIA <3
| r/renalcats | post | r/RenalCats | 2024-31-07 |
I did Adequan injections for my cat prior to trying Solensia. I haven’t seen any real noticeable improvement (he’s had 4 treatments) so will probably go back to just Adequan again, since I can give it at home and it’s way cheaper. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-31-07 |
Solensia has been really helpful for our cat, who is almost 19 years old. He started taking it about 10 months ago. I did want to comment, though, because the side effects you are describing happened to our cat after he was given a dose of Gabapentin that was supposed to be the appropriate dose for his weight. He lost the use of his back legs for about 48 hours and then was very wobbly, and sleeping in unusual places for a couple of days on top of that. I guess certain medications just do not work with all cats. I know some people swear by Gabapentin but it was not good for our guy. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-31-07 |
He might be in acute on chronic renal failure. He should get urgent labs from your primary vet or internist. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
this is also my concern, he is even worse today so i got an emergecy spot at 12:30. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
My 13-year-old cat is on Solensia. No issues whatsoever. She is back to running and jumping.
Some medications work wonders for some animals, and others cause serious issues, just as with people.
A geriatric rescue dog of mine had good results with acupuncture before her death from a brain tumor. If your cat is able to tolerate it and you can find a good practitioner, that might be a non-pharmaceutical option. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-06-08 |
UPDATE: We went to see the vet 8/2, at that point I was beside myself in the lobby of the vet’s officr thinking I would have to leave without my boy that day. The vet recommended bloodwork (his last panel was 5 months ago so it was about time anyway), and a spinal/hip Xray ($400 😭). I opted to take things one at a time, starting with bloodwork since I want to have the most definitive diagnostic information first. I ended up passing on the xray altogether, since they couldnt really say one way or another if it would be helpful for him. They suggested a few different things it could be but couldnt really convince me that it would be a useful tool for increasing his quality of life at this stage.
Anywho, at the vet’s recommendation, I administered his subq fluids for a second day in a row and he seemed to perk up slightly in the late night/early morning hours of 8/2. His bloodwork came back showing stable kidney values (i cant remember the numbers, they gave them over the phone), but an elevated WBC count and a calcium level of 24 (WAY high). We went back in on 8/3 for an ionized calcium test and I am still waiting to hear those results from the vet. I administered fluids 4 days in a row and today he is acting almost chipper??? No more balance issues, no anti social behaviors/avoiding touch/staring off into the distance and presumably making eye contact with Cat God, lmfao. Why does my fuzzy son want me to lose my mind?
Will update again when I receive the interpreted results from the vet, should be tomorrow morning. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-06-08 |
UPDATE: vet called and the results are good, he spoke to an internal medicine specialist who suggested it’s possible that he ingested/was exposed to something that caused the sudden decline. Thinking back, i had recently mopped my whole apartment using fabuloso and he may have stepped on some of it while it was drying, despite my efforts to keep him locked in my bedroom. He is doing much better though and I’m optimistic that, assuming i keep him away from the mop water in the future, that he will have another good year or so of life with me. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-06-08 |
I've posted a few times over the past 1.5 months about my 19 year old stage 2 CKD cat. He's had a UTI that we haven't been able to get rid of.
He's had microscopic amounts of blood in his urine since last year and the vet started to suspect he may have a bladder tumour. They suggested doing an ultrasound to confirm, but it would essentially just give us answers, but we wouldn't be able to do anything. An ultrasound is also around $1000 where I live and he's become so stressed with going to the vet, that I decided against it.
Despite having traces of blood in his urine, he wasn't really having any major urinary issues that were noticeable. He had a UTI in February, which was cleared with two courses of Clavaseptin and was totally fine until he got his most recent UTI in June.
He's been having much more blood, having accidents on the floor, frequent urination and occasional straining and clots. Antibiotics seem to take the edge off it, but they haven't been able to clear it. My vet told me that we're running out of options.
We tried to get a culture a few weeks ago, but his bladder was empty by the time we got to the clinic, so it was a fail. Today, we finally got a sample for a culture. I'm hoping it will help us find an antibiotic that may help him, but I'm not feeling optimistic. My doctor is away and another doctor is covering and said it may not be possible to get rid of his infection due to the likelihood that he has a tumour in his bladder. The doctor said they don't want to even throw anymore antibiotics at it until the results of the culture are back next week, so I'm afraid things are going to worsen again.
I'm afraid that I'm going to have to make the decision in the near future and I'm having a very hard time with it. I thought I would be more at peace with it due to his age, but I've had him for half my life and the thought of him not being here is unbearable.
Has anyone else had an experience like this? Is it unrealistic to have any hope of getting rid of his infection? | r/renalcats | post | r/RenalCats | 2024-31-07 |
Ugh, I’m so sorry. Ultimately, a stubborn UTI took my 17 year old from me in May and it makes me angry something as “treatable” as an infection couldn’t be cured. His only symptom was random blood in the urine as well. It would go away while on antibiotics but come back after a few days off of them. It turned into a kidney infection and caused him to crash. He luckily survived that and his levels returned to normal but after a month the levels spiked again. We were pretty aggressive with antibiotics but the infection wouldn’t quit.
If it makes you feel any better about the ultrasound, we did 3 over the course of six months and no tumors were found in his kidneys or bladder. The culture never grew anything either…. Despite doing at least 3 so we were flying blind on antibiotics. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-31-07 |
My cat was diagnosed with stage 3 in January they said 6 months tops she's made at 7 but I had to make the call can't watch her going through this anymore so it's time to euthanize as hard as it might be; don't get me wrong she's over 20 years old but it's still very hard. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-31-07 |
I just lost my cat to a kidney infection too after a vet told me that five days of antibiotics and IV fluids during hospitalization was long enough to clear it (and they said that because his culture was negative he may have never had it in the first place). A month later, it caused his kidneys to go into acute stage 4 failure and he was already so weak (and anemic/constipated/had a stage 3/4 heart murmur and issues with high blood pressure) that at 15 years old I had to put him to sleep. I feel your pain about losing a cat to something treatable and thought I must have been the only one :( | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-31-07 |
In my post history you’ll see that I just had to make this decision. In top of her arthritis progressing, she had caught yet another upper respiratory infection. I knew at the vet they’d give her more antibiotics which make her sick most of the time, and try a shot for her arthritis. But, she was 21 & we’d started to feel like it wouldn’t be fair to keep putting her through this. She’d be okay for a couple months then what, do it all over again?
She ultimately made the call herself the night before her vet appointment and let us know she was done fighting.
That was 11 days ago and I’m going to be very honest. Even though I’d hold her every night during our quiet time and tell her how much I loved her and how much she meant to me, that I was ready to let her go when she was ready and I’d be ok without her…I was not prepared. I realize now I couldn’t have been. She was my first baby that was all mine. I miss her sometimes so much it physically hurts my heart, I cannot think about her without tearing up, we haven’t even moved her litter boxes. (They’re clean though.) the vet who came to us to do it kept saying this is a gift that we can give them and I know it’s cliche, but it truly is. To be able to say goodbye in their own environment, where they’re not scared and with their family, I hope that’s how I get to go.
My heart goes out to you because I was just there. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-31-07 |
Just lost my 20 yr old 10 month feline companion this past weekend. My vet has an ultrasound (not the full blown one) that was a fraction of cost vs the one used for full imaging and what not. With the in house machine, they were able to get a good image of the abdomen, bladder and kidneys. Is that an option vs the full ultrasound work up?
I was fortunate that it worked for my cat and saw what we needed to see though not 100% certain without doing more tests, it was likely a tumor vs a severe UTI. Because of my cats situation, it did not necessarily matter to know precisely as the bladder issue was just one of 3 major findings.
Perhaps check if that is a viable option at your vet if they have an in house machine such as this?
I’m sorry you are going through this and hope your cat is comfortable enough. Take care. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
I'm so sorry for your loss. My boy is still doing well other than the urinary issues, he just recently got a good report on his blood work and his blood pressure is well controlled, so the thought that I may lose him to this is a tough pill to swallow. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
My heart goes out to you. One can never be fully ready even if expected with advanced age and chronic issues/slow decline. They become a part of us and always hard to say goodbye.
My 20 year old (2 months shy of 21) also had arthritis on top of other health issues. She bounced back a few times, but this time all her strength was taken by the anemia that would not be solved easily as well as other issues. She’ll always be in my heart and I’m sure yours will too - I’ll be bold enough for the two of use to say they made us better people.
Take care | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
That's exactly what bothers me, it should be something that's treatable, but it might not be. The blood comes and goes with him as well. He does improve with antibiotics, but it never totally gets the infection under control. He's been through four rounds of antibiotics and he loses his appetite every time, I was spoon feeding him wet food for the past round of antibiotics. He just doesn't tolerate them very well at his age now.
I'd be more open to an ultrasound if there was something that could be done, but I don't know if it's worth stressing him out and spending the money.
I hate the fact that I might lose my boy to a UTI. He was just fantastic between March and May of this year with no concerning issues and now this. I assumed we'd be able to get this under control and he'd be fine.
I'm so sorry for the loss of your boy. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
I'm so sorry for your loss. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
I'm so sorry to hear about your girl. It's been really hard watching him have such a tough time with the nausea from the antibiotics and seeing the blood in his urine. If we can't figure out a solution for him from this culture, then I think it will be time.
I thought it would be easier since he's 19 and had a long life, but it's not. He has FIV and I was told in 2013 that he wouldn't live a long life, so I'm very thankful that I've had more than 10 years with him after his diagnosis. But greedily, I still want more time. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
I'm so sorry for your loss. He was the first cat I've ever had and I've had him for half my life now. Every time I think about him not being here, I can't help but breakdown. It's absolutely heart wrenching. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
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