Cats & kidneys

[SEL]

Bit miserable about this at the moment - my little cat has been with me longer than either the OH or any of the ponies and although she's only 13/14 she's suddenly looking very old.

We started her on thyroid meds in Feb and she's put on weight but is still drinking a lot. The vet did say her thyroid could be masking kidney problems and I'm taking her back for more blood tests this month but its looking likely they were right.

For those of you who had cats with kidney disease how long could you manage it for? I promised her a good life, not a long life and although she's still out hunting around the garden every night I don't want her to be in pain and I know how stoic they can be.

 

[View]

Oh I’m sorry.

This is probably not what you want to hear.

Our car was much younger - about 7 when she deteriorated very quickly over 36 hours, so an emergency appointment. Bloods revealed kidney disease, and given how fast it had all happened and how obviously miserable she was, we took the decision to PTS there and then.

Hugs for you and a scratch for your girl.

 

[webble]

So sorry to hear this. Mine started to look older about 2 years ago and bloods for his kidneys weren't good but he carried on with life. His thyroid was good, he was sick now and then but otherwise healthy. Back in Nov the vet said 2-6 month left and he managed 8, he was still playing with string now and then up until the last couple of weeks, at that point his back end wasnt so good either, the house feels very quiet now and I miss him terribly

 

[AmyMay]

Once kidney disease is diagnosed they’re already pretty sick. I’ve lost two to it. One within about 4 weeks of diagnosis, the second on the day of diagnosis (I learned from my previous experience and had her pts that day).

Sorry xxxx

 

[HappyHollyDays]

I’m sorry your cat hasn’t been well, it’s never nice. I do have more positive experiences of deteriorating kidney function in cats but it is progressive and sadly there is no cure.

Blood tests showed up the markers in both my BSH’s when they were about 15 and both lived to 17. I put them on kidney friendly diets and both passed away after suddenly deteriorated over a few days so I knew what to expect with the second one.

My sisters Bengal only has one functioning kidney now, is almost 19 and still here. She looks unkempt and a bit skinny as most elderly cats do but she eats well and still goes out in the garden to potter on sunny days.

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

I'm sorry your little cat is not well.

My last cat was diagnosed with a heart murmur and kidney issues at about the same age as yours. She wasn't eating or using the litter box and I was convinced she was going to die but switching her to special cat food and giving her a tablet a day (sorry, I can't remember what it was) allowed her to live a happy, healthy life for several more years before passing away aged 19.

 

[Bluewaves]

About 18 months from diagnosis of being sick now and then but otherwise healthy until he got really miserable one week and that was it. I tried to add a supplement called Ipakitine on his wet food but after a while he refused his food if i had put the powder in it. He flatly refused the expensive renal cat pouches.

This has a bit more information about it.

https://www.catchat.org/felineforum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=5874&sid=3a9376298c12243e966b633aeb994351

I forgot to say that the vet suggested that if they were sick, sometimes putting them on a drip for a few hours in the surgery could help flush the kidneys out a bit and give them a bit more time, but I didn't do that with my boy.

 

[SEL]

About 18 months from diagnosis of being sick now and then but otherwise healthy until he got really miserable one week and that was it. I tried to add a supplement called Ipakitine on his wet food but after a while he refused his food if i had put the powder in it. He flatly refused the expensive renal cat pouches.

This has a bit more information about it.

https://www.catchat.org/felineforum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=5874&sid=3a9376298c12243e966b633aeb994351

I forgot to say that the vet suggested that if they were sick, sometimes putting them on a drip for a few hours in the surgery could help flush the kidneys out a bit and give them a bit more time, but I didn't do that with my boy.

Ah no I won't be putting her on a drip - she retains enough of her feral start in life to hate being handled at the vets (she's tiny, fluffy and looks cute but can be very quick with her claws as they found out). I've got some renal pouches on order but she's been fussy about her food since about 2 weeks after adopting me so low chance of them working out.

I kind of knew what you were all going to say because I was googling earlier and I'm sorry for everyone who has lost their cats to this (& anything else). She's pretty perky today - a dopey pigeon nearly got whacked in the garden - but she used to be a little livewire so we'll see what the vets say with the next set of bloods and go from there.

I've had lots of cats over the years, but this little madam is very special and the house won't be the same without her

 

[FinnishLapphund]

One of the cats I've had, Selma, kidneys started to work less well when she was about 15-16 years old. She really perked up on a dry renal special veterinarian food, and we thereby got some more time with her, but then she started to be less perky, and we decided to euthanise her.

But that was many years ago. Hopefully if your little madam doesn't like the wet food, you could perhaps try another version of renal special veterinarian food, and get some more precious time with her.

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

So sorry to hear about your girl, we lost our little fluffy girl to it that I'd grown up with when I was a teenager

She I think had thyroid diagnosed first, then the kidney disease, she had kidney biscuits which she seemed to like, and yes she still did get her special treats (she ADORED a spoon custard or ice cream if someone was having any and would sit quivering in anticipation) as my mum said we are not going to deny her her treats now

She then got diabetes so had a daily injection for that however her spirit still reminded and she'd Potter about, she was about 15/16 and probably had a year or 2 of the diagnosed kidney disease

She did look rather moth eaten and was quite frail on her back legs (we'd put steps to make it easier to jump onto her favourite spots)

The final straw was her getting constipated which apparently can be a side affect, then finally going when she was on tbe landing, as my mum said her dignity was gone and it was hurting her

Got a text at the airport as me and OH were coming Back from a holiday that she was going to take her to pts that evening. Safe to say I bawled in tbe airport but at least I got to make it home to say bye to her. Welling up thinking about it she had the most wonderful character

I'd try the medication and special food and just closely monitor, although ours was an absolute darling for the vets (and very loved there too!) So didn't mind the blood tests etc

 

[Chippers1]

I adopted an old lady cat (she was 19) with kidney disease, it was stage 2 and was supposed to be managed with renal diet but she absolutely refused to eat it so I let her eat whatever she liked until I lost her at 21. It's progressive but can be held off well with renal diets (if she will eat them!) and medication if needed. Hope she is ok

 

[Highmileagecob]

An easily digested protein diet is key. Many cats will not eat the expensive offerings from the vet., but poached chicken and fish are perfectly acceptable. As above, my old boy was in his late teens when kidney disease started to show itself, but he lived on until he was 20, and only missed his breakfast on the morning he died.

 

[Fransurrey]

Annie was diagnosed aged 14 with Stage II CKD. She was put onto Amodip to manage blood pressure and maintained like that until the day she died last month, aged 18 (she quietly passed away on the sofa). Like every cat in existence, she hated the renal diet. She was fed on Purina One sachets and their hairball dry food (she struggled with her guts more than the kidneys!). Do speak to vet about blood pressure as it's advised to keep it low in human patients, so not sure why it's not really looked at in cats.

 

[fiwen30]

It really depends on what stage of kidney failure they’re at.

If it’s early stages, they can be managed and stabilised for years on a mix of medication and then prescription food. If it’s late stages, then the kidneys may be too damaged and already be shutting down.

I’ve had 2 cats at either end of the spectrum. One was PTS a couple of weeks after diagnosis aged about 10, and the other is doing well 18 months along with medication and yearly blood tests - she’s around 11, I think (adopted as an adult).

I hope that testing will give you a positive outlook for your cat!

 

[MerryMaxmas]

Annie was diagnosed aged 14 with Stage II CKD. She was put onto Amodip to manage blood pressure and maintained like that until the day she died last month, aged 18 (she quietly passed away on the sofa). Like every cat in existence, she hated the renal diet. She was fed on Purina One sachets and their hairball dry food (she struggled with her guts more than the kidneys!). Do speak to vet about blood pressure as it's advised to keep it low in human patients, so not sure why it's not really looked at in cats.

My 16 year old cat was diagnosed with early stage kidney disease a month ago, his blood pressure was borderline so he has been taking Amodip since, he is due to have his BP checked next week, he is still drinking and weeing a lot, but his weight is staying on (he's a chunky ginger boy) and he's eating well, his mobility is slowing down but in himself he's happy

 

[maya2008]

A few years for us (2-3 I think) in my childhood cat, from early stage kidney disease (put on diet) to total organ failure one morning - she pottered round the house, said goodbye to everyone then fell asleep on my lap and that was it.

 

[SEL]

An easily digested protein diet is key. Many cats will not eat the expensive offerings from the vet., but poached chicken and fish are perfectly acceptable. As above, my old boy was in his late teens when kidney disease started to show itself, but he lived on until he was 20, and only missed his breakfast on the morning he died.

I was trying to work out what the renal diet was.

So high protein?

For all my worrying her ladyship has been out partying all night and is now flat out.

 

[Highmileagecob]

Not necessarily high protein, more easily available protein. Not having to digest the cereal and fillers that some foods contain. But for a few oldies, it really comes down to what they will eat.

 

[SEL]

Not necessarily high protein, more easily available protein. Not having to digest the cereal and fillers that some foods contain. But for a few oldies, it really comes down to what they will eat.

Thanks

Currently she'll eat some ridiculously expensive mousse stuff that I bought to hide the thyroid meds and now - apparently - that is the only food that is edible.

 

[Umbongo]

How long they can live happily for once diagnosed can vary quite a lot. It can also be a bit of a balancing act with the hyperthyroidism too.
Some may go downhill quite quickly (days/weeks), others can live a fairly normal life for years. My boy was diagnosed when he was 13, and lived happily for another 5 years.

The best thing for kidney disease is a prescription renal diet (Hills K/D, Royal Canin Renal food etc). These diets work to slow the progress of kidney disease by reducing phosphorus and sodium, increasing potassium and have the right amount of highly digestible protein. However they aren't always the most palatable, and cats in renal failure may feel quite nauseous. So it is ok to switch around the flavours, textures and brands to try and mix it up a bit and see what they like. However if the cat really won't eat the renal diets, then eating anything is better than nothing. My cat eventually stopped eating the renal food so in the end he got whatever he wanted (which was mostly cheap supermarket food and chicken).

Important that they keep their water intake up to help flush out their kidneys. So plenty of clean, fresh water about. A lot of cats like running water so water fountains are great. Renal food can be wet or dry, but if you are feeding regular food then you should just stick to wet to increase water intake.

There are other supplements that can be given, but these should be advised by the vet and will depend on the blood results to show if your cat has low/high levels of anything. Medications are available to combat the nausea and stimulate appetites if required. Also blood pressure may need to be monitored and treated if high with tablets.

Being in the vets on a drip can help make them feel temporarily better, and it can be enough to get a sick cat back on track and eating again. However it can also just be delaying the inevitable as they will eventually become unwell again at some point due to the progressive nature of the disease. Some cats will benefit from having fluid injected under their skin every once in a while instead, and the vets can show you how to do this at home.

 

[MerryMaxmas]

How long they can live happily for once diagnosed can vary quite a lot. It can also be a bit of a balancing act with the hyperthyroidism too.
Some may go downhill quite quickly (days/weeks), others can live a fairly normal life for years. My boy was diagnosed when he was 13, and lived happily for another 5 years.

The best thing for kidney disease is a prescription renal diet (Hills K/D, Royal Canin Renal food etc). These diets work to slow the progress of kidney disease by reducing phosphorus and sodium, increasing potassium and have the right amount of highly digestible protein. However they aren't always the most palatable, and cats in renal failure may feel quite nauseous. So it is ok to switch around the flavours, textures and brands to try and mix it up a bit and see what they like. However if the cat really won't eat the renal diets, then eating anything is better than nothing. My cat eventually stopped eating the renal food so in the end he got whatever he wanted (which was mostly cheap supermarket food and chicken).

Important that they keep their water intake up to help flush out their kidneys. So plenty of clean, fresh water about. A lot of cats like running water so water fountains are great. Renal food can be wet or dry, but if you are feeding regular food then you should just stick to wet to increase water intake.

There are other supplements that can be given, but these should be advised by the vet and will depend on the blood results to show if your cat has low/high levels of anything. Medications are available to combat the nausea and stimulate appetites if required.

Being in the vets on a drip can help make them feel temporarily better, and it can be enough to get a sick cat back on track and eating again. However it can also just be delaying the inevitable as they will eventually become unwell again at some point due to the progressive nature of the disease. Some cats will benefit from having fluid injected under their skin every once in a while instead, and the vets can show you how to do this at home.

Hunter (16) was diagnosed with early stage kidney disease a few weeks ago, he's on Hills z/d dry food because he also has IBD, I don't really want to change his food in case it triggers his IBD, as long as he is eating and maintaining weight I'm happy to leave him on the z/d.

 

[Mrs B]

Just this afternoon had to pts a darling boy I'd taken over looking after at the yard for the last 3 years, due to kidney failure.

Long story, but he'd got to 14-ish as a semi-feral yard boy, Bunny-Hunter Supreme, total cool-dude, but was getting really troubled by arthritis

I got him onto Metacam and a good diet and he's had the most brilliant time since.

No pain meant moving around more, muscles came back to support the joints, happy virtuous circle.
He grew THE most gorgeous apricot/cream fluffy trousers and learned that rolling over in bed to have your tummy tickled and your head kissed was really rather nice.
His purr was glorious and his head-boops a real treat.

My little yard-shadow, he came to help me poo-pick, was there ready for breakfast every morning when I arrived at dawn, and was generally a gorgeous, happy goof-ball, ready to supervise everything from schooling to filling haynets.
The kind of animal that greets you in a way that makes being alive feel pretty damn' fine, even at that time in the morning.

Sorry for the off-topic long tribute to a great cat, but in his case, his time on Metacam meant that when his kidneys failed, it was over in a matter of 2 or 3 days from acting totally fine, to today.
It's Russian roulette using this kind of drug long-term, but what it gave him was 2 brilliant years, bossing it like the dude he was in his old age.

Sleep tight, my Harry boy. And thanks for being my yard shadow.

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

Just this afternoon had to pts a darling boy I'd taken over looking after at the yard for the last 3 years, due to kidney failure.

Long story, but he'd got to 14-ish as a semi-feral yard boy, Bunny-Hunter Supreme, total cool-dude, but was getting really troubled by arthritis

I got him onto Metacam and a good diet and he's had the most brilliant time since.

No pain meant moving around more, muscles came back to support the joints, happy virtuous circle.
He grew THE most gorgeous apricot/cream fluffy trousers and learned that rolling over in bed to have your tummy tickled and your head kissed was really rather nice.
His purr was glorious and his head-boops a real treat.

My little yard-shadow, he came to help me poo-pick, was there ready for breakfast every morning when I arrived at dawn, and was generally a gorgeous, happy goof-ball, ready to supervise everything from schooling to filling haynets.
The kind of animal that greets you in a way that makes being alive feel pretty damn' fine, even at that time in the morning.

Sorry for the off-topic long tribute to a great cat, but in his case, his time on Metacam meant that when his kidneys failed, it was over in a matter of 2 or 3 days from acting totally fine, to today.
It's Russian roulette using this kind of drug long-term, but what it gave him was 2 brilliant years, bossing it like the dude he was in his old age.

Sleep tight, my Harry boy. And thanks for being my yard shadow.

I'm sorry you had to have Harry pts, but he sounds like he was a lovely, lucky cat who landed on his feet when he met you. And two extra years of being able to be himself was worth any five years of pain through arthritis.

 

[Honey08]

Oh gosh, a very well timed thread. My gorgeous male cat seems to have been drinking a lot recently. I think a vets appointment is needed.

 

[HollyWoozle]

I've not used it myself but I have heard great things about this stuff: https://www.petdrugsonline.co.uk/pronefra-kidney-blood-pressure-supplement-cats-dogs