LoveToKnow Cats:AllComments

From LoveToKnow Cats

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Hi Amy,

I'm sorry to hear that Vigga is having kidney issues. It sounds like your vet has prescribed a pretty standard form of treatment for his issues. One of the problems with kidney disease is that each cat has a different level of failure and each cat responds a bit differently to treatment. Your vet will likely start with the most non-invasive forms of treatment and then will retest his urine periodically to see how his kidneys are responding to that treatment.

It may take some trial and error before you find the perfect mix. All that said, if you feel uncomfortable for any reason or you simply want to work with a vet who specializes in renal issues, you should feel more than comfortable in seeking out other treatment. Like you said, Vigga is your life, so you need to feel comfortable with everything that is going on. It never hurts to get more than one opinion.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My 10 yr old cat, Vigga was diagnosed with kidney disease that led to crf, the vet said. He stayed on fluids from monday night to friday night and his bun levels went from 120 to 46 and creatinine from 9.4 to 3.9. The vet sent me home with a script for aluminum hydroxide and said to start on a diet of hills k/d. I have an appointment to come back tuesday for him to re-check his urine. My question, I guess is...in your opinion should the vet have recommended Vigga be on sub-q fluids and if the vet hasnt recommended that, should I find a new vet? I want the best treatments and advice for Vigga...he is my life!!! Thank you for your time.

-- Contributed by: Amy

Hi Gayle,

This will vary depending upon the severity of the disease, how much kidney function the cat still has and your vet's recommendations. There are a few special foods out there for kidney problems, but again you really need to get the vet's okay before proceeding. Also, your cat's levels will have to be monitored closely and the type and quantity of food may need some adjustments. So, there really isn't a diet that is one size fits all in this instance.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Can you add a new diet for cats with Kidney problems (Breakfast & dinner) including foods to avoid eg. Supermarket junk food? Look forward to your comments,

-- Contributed by: Gayle

Hi Jenifer,

Cats with kidney issues have to be monitored very closely and their diet must be exact. Especially if her case is chronic, her organs could fail if she is given anything outside of the guidelines. You may want to speak with the vet about other medication options. It doesn't sound like what she is currently on is still helping. She may need her dosage adjusted, for example.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My 11 yr old cat had a tooth pulled in April which put her into kidney failure. The vet revived her after a week at the hospital and I am now giving her 150ml of subcutaneous fluids qd. I was taking her back to the vet bi-weekly and now monthly for her blood work. Last month her readings were BUN-32, creatinine-4.2 which was improvement from before. They are now 64 & 5.1. The vet thinks she is now a chronic case, needs Calcitriol daily,along with home cooked meals. Is all of this necessary for a healthy life?

-- Contributed by: Jenifer

Hi Mary,

I'm so sorry that this happened and you lost your cat. I'm not sure what is the cause of the kidney failure for your cat, but Siamese tend to be pretty healthy as far as breeds go. I've always owned Siamese cats and they tend to live longer than many cats (my childhood cat lived to be 19). It is possible she could have had a reaction to a vaccine, to food or simply had a birth defect. You can have your vet do an autopsy and find out the exact cause, if you want to know for sure.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I adopted a 1 yr, 8 mo. cat from the shelter, I was told she was a Siamese Lynx Point cross. She had just had kittens (still had 2 with her, 2 mos) but was seen to be healthy. She had all her shots, she was spayed, and examined to be healthy by the vet. 7 weeks after I adopted her, she began vomitting, very depressed, seemed uncomfortable, no urinating, no eating or drinking. After 24 hrs at the emergency hospital, I told her kidneys were failing - I had to put her to sleep. Is this common in a cat so young, does it have anything to do with the breed? There were no symptoms up until the day she took sick, but the hospital said her kidneys were 3 times their normal size when I took her in.

-- Contributed by: Mary Davies
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