Cat with failing kidneys

[CalGalTraveler]

Congrats Ellen. That is great news! I am not a vet but isn't 2.4 within the normal range of under 2.5? Wouldn't most cats be able to live a very long time at this level? Ours was down to 3.5 and that's what our vet told us.

We are on 3x per week IV fluids with our rescue. She loves the wet food and we are free feeding her so she is starting to put on some weight. Fingers-crossed.

 

[DrQ]

Athena is purring again. Loves cuddling. She's eating, but the special kidney food was a fail. The vet said just feed her what she likes. She's eating regularly (must be on a clean, pretty plate - no cat bowl). She's definitely sleeping more, but the vet said that's normal for all older animals including people.

That's great news. Enjoy your time together with your girl.

 

[Zac495]

Congrats Ellen. That is great news! I am not a vet but isn't 2.4 within the normal range of under 2.5? Wouldn't most cats be able to live a very long time at this level? Ours was down to 3.5 and that's what our vet told us.

We are on 3x per week IV fluids with our rescue. She loves the wet food and we are free feeding her so she is starting to put on some weight. Fingers-crossed.

Well the vet didn't seem to think so. She said it's close to the normal range, but the anemia is another issue. I hope your vet is right. How old is your kitty?

 

[Cornell]

My update isn't so happy. My little pug had his last day on early Monday of last week. UGH - was a horrible day. Very, very hard to make the decision of "it's time".

But -- he enjoyed his last day on earth enjoying a wonderful meal from Culver's. You Midwesterners know what I'm talking about.

 

[Zac495]

My update isn't so happy. My little pug had his last day on early Monday of last week. UGH - was a horrible day. Very, very hard to make the decision of "it's time".

But -- he enjoyed his last day on earth enjoying a wonderful meal from Culver's. You Midwesterners know what I'm talking about.

I am SO SO SORRY.

 

[slip]

My update isn't so happy. My little pug had his last day on early Monday of last week. UGH - was a horrible day. Very, very hard to make the decision of "it's time".

But -- he enjoyed his last day on earth enjoying a wonderful meal from Culver's. You Midwesterners know what I'm talking about.

Sorry to hear this but I'm sure Culver's made it easier for him.

 

[Cornell]

Sorry to hear this but I'm sure Culver's made it easier for him.

I was so happy he was interested in it. Someone told me (maybe it was here on TUG?) to make sure I didn't wait too long -- try to make his last day a good day. He wasn't super interested in food the past few weeks but her really perked up with the Butter Burger. And I decided that it was time for him to have a HOT FUDGE sundae. He ran out of steam halfway through dessert . XOXO

When you take your pet to an animal hospital on a major hospital on a holiday (Memorial Day), it's a very sad place. Nothing good was going on there that day.

My daughter came with and when we left the vet she played Dolly Parton "I Will Always Love You" and we had a sobbing , hot mess cry together.

 

[slip]

I was so happy he was interested in it. Someone told me (maybe it was here on TUG?) to make sure I didn't wait too long -- try to make his last day a good day. He wasn't super interested in food the past few weeks but her really perked up with the Butter Burger. And I decided that it was time for him to have a HOT FUDGE sundae. He ran out of steam halfway through dessert . XOXO

When you take your pet to an animal hospital on a major hospital on a holiday (Memorial Day), it's a very sad place. Nothing good was going on there that day.

My daughter came with and when we left the vet she played Dolly Parton "I Will Always Love You" and we had a sobbing , hot mess cry together.

It's always very hard but it sounds like you made his last day a good one.

 

[Superchief]

UPDATE: Athena has tolerated IV fluids at home very well. She is such a good kitty. She just sits there - no fighting or crying. New blood work show:
Down to 2.4

BUT-

Phosphorus 8.7 a little high (but vet wasn't worried about that)

Hematocrit is down and she’s anemic
Total red cells 5.6 to 4.2 Normal 5.9 and 9

She's getting her a shot of a compound called darbepoetin which should help with this.

She explained this is like hospice. It's terminal, but she will be more comfortable and will continue to enjoy life as long as possible.

Athena is purring again. Loves cuddling. She's eating, but the special kidney food was a fail. The vet said just feed her what she likes. She's eating regularly (must be on a clean, pretty plate - no cat bowl). She's definitely sleeping more, but the vet said that's normal for all older animals including people.

THANKS for all of your ideas and for caring!

i'm glad she is doing better. Which prescription food were you feeding her? Was it a wet food? Although our dogs and cats always liked the Hill's Prescription Diet (primarily dry), I've heard that many cats prefer the Royal Canin prescription diet wet food. These foods are lower in phosphorous and other minerals and will really help preserve her kidneys.

 

[Zac495]

i'm glad she is doing better. Which prescription food were you feeding her? Was it a wet food? Although our dogs and cats always liked the Hill's Prescription Diet (primarily dry), I've heard that many cats prefer the Royal Canin prescription diet wet food. These foods are lower in phosphorous and other minerals and will really help preserve her kidneys.

We tried Hills and she hated it. I can try Royal Canin. THANK YOU!

 

[Superchief]

We tried Hills and she hated it. I can try Royal Canin. THANK YOU!

Almost everything that makes the food taste good is bad for kidneys. Hill's primarily sells dry pet food and does a great job with the dry foods. I think the competitors have more experience with the wet foods. Luckily, all of our pets love the dry foods. Royal Canin has a great reputation for their wet prescription food, so hopefully she will like it. Prescription foods are much more expensive, but at least cats don't eat as much.

 

[Zac495]

Almost everything that makes the food taste good is bad for kidneys. Hill's primarily sells dry pet food and does a great job with the dry foods. I think the competitors have more experience with the wet foods. Luckily, all of our pets love the dry foods. Royal Canin has a great reputation for their wet prescription food, so hopefully she will like it. Prescription foods are much more expensive, but at least cats don't eat as much.

Thanks we will try it!