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Hi Mary,

There aren't many people who can give us insight into kidney transplants. Thanks for the advice and info on your own experiences.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Our Gordy is almost 2 years post transplant. It's been a rocky road but I'd do it again in a minute. One thing I want to mention is that Penn considers a transplant a treatment, not a cure. However, they also no longer consider it experimental but a real treatment possibility.

-- Contributed by: MaryA

Hi Dawn,

Try to get her to drink water on her own, but how much fluid a cat needs really depends on the extent of kidney failure, weight of the cat and so many other factors. Every other day is likely about right for now. It will also allow the vet to monitor her closely during this time.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Thank you so much for your advice. After further tests, my cat was found to have a UTI and she does have kidney failure. She has been put on a special diet with supplements in her food. I have also been taking her in for fluid therapy every other day. My question is, is fluid therapy every other day enough fluids for her? And is there anything else I can be doing for her? Thank you.

-- Contributed by: Dawn

Hi Dawn,

I would ask the vet to hydrate your cat. If a cat is not drinking water, the urine will be very concentrated. This is even true for humans. After he hydrates her with fluids, he should test her urine again. If the urine still shows signs of kidney malfunction, then there is greater cause for concern, in my opinion.

Also, you need to find out the underlying cause of the fever (typically an infection) and her lack of interest in eating and drinking.

The vet may have to run quite a few tests to get to the bottom of the problem. If you can think of any other symptoms that might indicate what is wrong with her, that will help the vet with his diagnosis.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I brought my 6 year old cat to the vet today because in the last few days she has lost her appetite and is very lethargic. She has lost weight. The vet took blood and urine tests. The urine test indicated that her urine is dilute. I was told she probably has kidney failure. She also has a fever of 103. She has always been a big water drinker, but I wouldn't say obsessive. In the last few days she has drinken very little water, and is not interested in her cat food, although she will eat tuna. Does not seem to be urinating excessively-probably not enough. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you

-- Contributed by: Dawn

Hi Linda,

With the proper treatment, you can improve your cat's kidney condition and help her live a longer life than she otherwise would have. Although she will still have the underlying problem and it will eventually catch up with her, she can still live a long and happy life. Just be very careful about diet and hydration and make those regular vet visits to get feedback on her levels and the vet's recommended treatment.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My cat was diagnosed also but she never lost her appetite, and actually gained weight. My Vet has me hydrating her daily but suggested that, based on the results of the next blood test, I may not have to hydrate her all that often, if at all. Apparently her BUN test was high but the Creatinine was high normal. Is it possible to stabilize or even reverse somewhat the condition if the cat's illness is caught in time? She is 15 years old and otherwise in good health.

-- Contributed by: Linda

Hi Sam,

I'm glad to hear she's doing well. Please keep us posted.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Our cat was diagnosed with CRN in February and we've been giving her Ringers via IV every day since then. She's doing great - just as big a pest as she's always been.:)

-- Contributed by: Sam

Hi Erin,

That sounds like a wonderful success story. I'm glad that you had so much success with the medications and that she lived to an old age. Thanks for the input. Maybe it will help someone else whose cat is suffering this same problem.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My cat lived to be 22 with kidney disease. She was diagnosed at about 13. One thing the vet did not tell us is that the disease can raise the bllod preasure which actually caused her to go blind. i caught it fast and she was put on blood pressure meadication and regained her vision! she took a pill everyday for the rest of her life, and fluids a couple times a week and she was a happy kitty.

-- Contributed by: erin

Hi Karen,

More than likely the urge to spray will subside once the diabetes is under control. The urinary tract infections likely didn't help anything either. Around here, you can only purchase the k/d from a veterinarian's office. Ask about buying in bulk or other discounts to reduce the price a bit. It is possible there are online sources, but be sure you buy from an authorized reseller to be on the safe side.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My kitty, about 15 now, was just diagnosed with kidney disease & diabetes today. Before now the only health issue he had was a urinary tract problem. He's been on a prescription diet for about 3-4 years (feline c/d). Now it's a different prescription diet (feline k/d) along with oral diabetes medication. We first noticed his increased thrist about a month ago and last week he just stopped eating and starting spraying everywhere about two weeks ago. Right now, we are constantly keeping an eye on him as to where he is so we can hopefully catch him and bring him to his box and while we're at work, we've "boxed" him in the area where his box is. Once his medication kicks in, will the desire to spray everywhere subside? I guess my other question would have to be, is there a place to purchase prescription cat food besides the vet? Thanks, Karen

-- Contributed by: Karen

You're welcome, Urs. Please let us know how it goes and if everything turns out okay.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Just wanted to say many thanks for your advice, i'll certainly be watching out for those symptoms and will talk to the vet.

Many thanks

-- Contributed by: Urs

Hi Urs,

I'm so sorry about your cat. I would talk to your vet about putting the remaining cat on some specialty foods formulated for cats with potential kidney issues. It does sound like the problem could be genetic, since it has affected two cats from the same litter. Now that you are aware of the issue, you can take some steps to make sure the third cat lives as long as possible.

Things to really watch out for:

Increased thirst
Increased litter box usage or if the cat seems to be straining
Lethargy

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi, upsettingly yesterday we had to have our cat put to sleep due to kidney failure/kidney disease, approx 4 years ago her brother (from the same mother) also had to be be put to sleep for the same reason. I am now anguishing over whether we missed anything this second time around as it was an extremely quick deterioration, only over this last week with no other apparant symptoms, the vet has advised that it could have been a genetic disorder in both cats.

Both cats have been fed on dried food that we obtain through the vet and having read some websites I am now a little concerned if this may have contributed to their illness or made it more advanced. We do have another cat not from the same mother and I am really quite concerned that perhaps we contributing to their illness by feeding them just this. I want to ensure with our remaining cat whose only 4 years old, that we do all that we can to help minimise any risks of this illness that we can within our control. Do you have any advice you can offer?

Many thanks

-- Contributed by: Urs

Hi Mitts' Mom,

I'm so glad that the vet was able to find a food that is helping your cat. I hope she lives a long and healthy life.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My 16-year old is doing much better after the vet prescribed Purina 1 Kidney Formula food. It's not too expensive and her creatinine levels improved after several months. She'll just have to get used to not having Fancy Feast all her life! But she'll be healthier longer and this disease will not be so dramatic as it progresses, according to the vet.

-- Contributed by: Mitts' Mom

Hi BB,

I'm not sure what the injury was to your cats. Could you provide more details? I'm sorry to hear that they are sick.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Is there any legal recourse to take for the injury to our cats?

-- Contributed by: B.B MARTZ

Hi Jenny,

I'm sorry your cat is so ill. Please don't blame yourself. It is really difficult sometimes to figure out when to take a pet to the vet and when to wait.

The first thing I would probably do is to go ahead and get a second opinion on whether anything further can be done for her. Vets have different specialty areas. You want one that specializes in renal functions, if at all possible. Also, look for one that specializes in felines or at the very least small animals.

In the meantime, make sure she is taking in enough fluids and watch her litter box to make sure she is urinating.

You will know when it is time to take her in, if it comes to that. I have always asked myself this same question when a pet grows old, but it becomes apparent that the cat is miserable and in pain and that is when I've always made the decision to euthanize. You can tell because the cat will be fairly nonresponsive and may howl with pain.

However, with kidney failure, you may not have to make this decision as some cats die on their own at home. This is actually a solution that many experts now recommend, because it is less stressful for the cat than going to the vet's office. There are also some vets who will come to your home and put the pet down, which again seems to cause less stress to the pet.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi, I just found out that my 10 year old cat is in end-stage kidney failure. After talking to the vet, it has become obvious to me that I missed all the signs that should have told me that she was sick. Now, I've been told that there isn't anything really left to do but put her to sleep and that we will likely be doing that in the next couple weeks. She had fluids injected under her skin, but we did not choose to use the IV method. Right now, my biggest worry seems to be how do I know when to have her put down? Is there something that can be done to keep her relatively happy and healthy enough for more than a couple weeks? And if not, how long should I wait until I make that appointment?

-- Contributed by: Jenny

Hi Jackie,

The vomiting sounds like it is from hairballs. This is partially caused from the constant grooming. A cat's tongue is rough, and as he grooms he is picking up hair on his tongue and thus ingesting it. This hair forms into little lumps called hairballs, which cats then hack up. Disgusting isn't it? It's a good thing they are such wonderful companions. There are a couple of things you can do that will probably lesson the vomiting. First, brush him daily. They have some great shed ending combs on the market now. Also, you will want to switch him to a high quality food specifically for this problem.

It is very possible that some of the hair loss is from the overgrooming as well. You may want to consider getting a second opinion form another veterinarian who specializes in skin disorders. Just like doctors, every vet has specialty areas, so don't be hesitant to get a second opinion.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi My name is Jackie and I have a almost 2 year old male cat who has been suffering with hair loss since he was about 8 months old. While he has been seen by a vet, I am not sure if the diagnosis is correct. Oreo was hit in his hind end when he was 6 months old. While we are not sure if it was a vehicle or what, when he was treated he had loss of muscle in his hind quarters and could not walk at all at first. Slowly he regained his ability to walk but started losing his hair. We were told this was caused from nerve damage when he was hit. Now though, it has progressed up to the mid-section of his body. He eats well, is even playful at times and loves to be pet, he just looks terrible. He does clean himself constantly and vomits once in awhile and it is almost always wads of hair. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

-- Contributed by: Jackie

My male neutered cat is about 16 years old. He used to be a Big cat and heavy now he has lost a terrible lot of weight, and is looking really old. I have noticed he is drinking more than he used to as when he was younger he hardly seemed to drink water at all. He hasn't lost his appetite though and as a matter of fact I can't feed him enough. He also seems to meow a lot and want a lot of attention. Also his right pupil is a lot bigger than the other. I also have a neutered female Manx about 14-15 and she wants to eat a lot though not as much as my male. She doesn't seem to have the problem with drinking more though.Both of the cats meow a lot for food, when it feeding time and scoff their food down.

Hi Jan, gettting older is tough, whether you're a person or a cat. It sounds as though your senior cat is developing a number of problems associated with aging. The dramatic increase in water intake could signal problems with the kidneys or diabetes. The difference in size between the pupils might indicate that a neurological event has occured. The neuro event, possibly coupled with senility issues might be leading to the increased appetite. Your cat may not feel like, or even realize, he has already eaten.

All things considered, it's a good time to take him for a check up. This way you can get a baseline on his health, let the vet treat him for any current conditions, and get a game plan in place for dealing with future health issues.

Thanks for your question, and give your cat a snuggle for me. Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Jan Vickers

Hi Tiare,

I'm sorry your cat is experiencing these problems. You don't mention her age. Older cats are more likely to suffer from this type of cancer, although it isn't an impossiblity in younger cats.

The blood tests will let you know if she has increased white blood cells, which could indicate cancer. However, the only true way to know is for the vet to do an internal examination.

The funny, short breaths do sound worrisome and would concern me as well. If you have a vet open in your area, you may want to go ahead and take her in for your own peace of mind. Anytime a cat's breathing is disrupted, it can indicate serious illness. It may just be the respiratory infection returning, but better safe than sorry.

Please check back and let me know if she's okay.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi, My cat has had respiratory problems for the past month now, her third eyelid was slightly protruding and her nose was runny. I took her to the vet and my vet gave her a a shot of depo (?) and now my cat seems to be fine. She is wanting to eat regularly and doesn't seem as weak. My vet also told me that my cat had enlarged kidneys, she took some blood and I am waiting for the results. My vet thinks that my cat has Lymphoma Cancer since her kidneys are enlarged and she says that the respiratory illness ties into this cancer....does this sound like it is lymphoma cancer? My cat, just this morning has begun to breathe funny, short breaths which is not normal to me. Please help?

Thanks...

-- Contributed by: Tiare

Hi, Sam,

I'm sorry to hear about your cat's kidney disease. I realize how upsetting it can be to get a diagnosis such as this, particularly if you feel uncertain about what it all means.

Since the cat is elderly, it is hard to say if the condition will grow worse. The vet is smart to have you return for follow-up tests in a few months and to keep a close eye on this issue. It's hard to say if the condition will worsen, but the treatment your vet has recommended sounds right on target for this type of problem, and should help slow the progress of any deterioration. Good luck and I hope your cat's kidneys continue to improve.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi - I just wanted to ask, my 16 yr old male cat has been diagnosed with kidney problems with the vet indicating that his kidneys are only working to about 40% efficiency. He has had two jabs of B12(?) and Globulin(?) apologies for spellings!! to help reduce the toxins in his blood and he is now on a special diet. He said it was not a cure but it would manage the illness, does that mean his kidney function won't get worse? If it will get worse, how quickly or is that too hard to say? He said to retunr in three months for another blood test unless things change so he doesn't seem concerned but I only thought about these questions afterwards, its a lot to take in!! Thanks

-- Contributed by: sam

Hi, Kim,

The increased thirst can signal that her kidneys are acting up. Don't grow too concerned, because she could just be thirsty too, but do keep track of how much she is drinking so you can discuss with your vet.

Cats tend to be grazers and enjoy eating little amounts throughout the day. The fact that she is still eating is a good sign as cats with this disease can sometimes have loss of appetite.

You should discuss your cat's diet with your veterinarian. There are a few special foods on the market that are specially made for cats prone to kidney and urinary tract problems. These might be of benefit to her and help extend her life as well.

If you are interested in holistic treatments for your cat, you may want to try the [Chronic Renal Failure] (CRF) website.

It sounds like she is in good hands, Kim.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I have a calico domestic longhaired kitty who is 15 and has kidney disease. She was so sick a couple of months ago but now she's back to her ole mean self. We feed her nothing but k/d. She used to be on the dry with occasional wet. Now she's solely on the canned. She's going through 2 cans a day and eats hour on the hour. She's drinking lots of water now and I am strictly limiting her protein to occasional bits of lamb when her appetite lags. I just wanted to know how often should she be eating? I noticed when she didn't eat for a few hours she threw up. I think she could be hypoglycemic. So I feed her whenever and how much she wants and she hasn't thrown up so far. I leave out the dry for her to nibble on during the night. But I feel like she's a baby having to feed constantly. I wonder if this is normal? She's gained some weight and she's using the litter box normally. I just wanted to know if cats with kidney disease should eat as often as they want and if this is normal and with the wet food, I'm worried about her teeth. So I'm having to clean them a lot! I'm determined she's going to die of old age and not the kidney disease. I already lost a cat to the evil illness and know what hell these animals can go through. I would like to talk to people who have the same issues and get a little support. I feel like I'm doing this alone.

-- Contributed by: Kim

Hi Suzzanne,

Increased thirst can be a sign of kidney problems, but it doesn't absolutely confirm your cat has kidney disease, so don't get too worried just yet. If your truly hasn't been able to urinate or defecate in the last two days then there is definitely something going on. However, it's highly possible that your cat did find another spot to eliminate.

All things considered, you're doing the right thing by taking him to the vet. If nothing else, you'll be able to get a base line on your senior cat's health for future reference.

Best wishes~~ Kelly

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hi, my oliver is 13yrs,himmalyan..and of late he is drinking water which was never a favorite of his,he vomited last night and one other time..for 2 days i noticed his litter pan is clean. he might have sneaked outside as my window was open, but still the litter pan was always his first choice. i am going to take him to the vet on monday. i am just trying to prepare myself for the worst..his personality hasnt changed at all, if anything he is a tad more loving..thanks

-- Contributed by: suzanne

Hi Vanessa,

It sounds like you were able to delay the progress of the kidney disease, but that it's now advancing again. Incontinence is also common in older pets, and at 19, you're cat has definitely reached senior status. I think it's time to consult your vet about the best course of action.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi, My gorgeous 19 year old cat, Nushi, has refused to eat for the last 2/3 days and seems to be thirstier than usual. She is urinating a lot too. When she was 15 her vet told me that only 10% of her kidneys were working. We switched to a food for renal failure and she went back to her old happy self. Appart from not eating she is behaving differently. I think she is a bit incontinent (is that possible?). It happened 3 or 4 times in the last 2 months and it never happened before. I come home to find that she's evacuated in the places she normally hangs out, and she's very frightened, hidding under the bed. She has never been affraid of me before. Can you help me? She is normally a very healthy cat with healthy hair.

Thanks, Vanesa

-- Contributed by: Vanesa

Hi Denise,

You'll find the answer to your question at Ask the Cat Experts.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi, My 12 yr.old cat, was diagnosed with kidney stones in both of his kidneys, but my vet is not sure what type of stones they are. We had him on a diet of C/D for a month, but the stones are still there. We went today to a specialist who said he doesn't feel he should do surgery because it is very risky when located in the kidneys, but if he gets sick, to rush him in immediately. He is doing just fine otherwise, eating, drinking, going to the bathroom & playing. I'm just worried. I hope he made the right decision. He also said that the stones could just stay there and the cat can still live for several years. Did you ever hear of this? Thanks, Denise

-- Contributed by: Denise

Hi Leslie,

Look for your answer on our Ask the Cat Experts page.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

What is the prognosis of kidney transplant for a 15 year old cat? How much does it cost and where does one go for the surgery?

-- Contributed by: Leslie Meskin
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