Hi all,

I posted last week about KD losing her appetite and getting constipated, and options for treating her naturally at home. But I did end up taking her to the vet yesterday as she wasn't getting better with everything I had tried. I didn't want to think it was anything serious, but I had suspicions given that her kidney values had been slightly elevated for years. The vet put her on lactulose and did a blood panel.

The results of her blood test are not good, to say the least. Urea is 31 (up from 14 last year, normal is 5-13) and creatinine is 776 (up from 254, normal is 50-177). (These are international units; I don't know the US equivalents, but these numbers are pretty bad.) Phosphorus is 2.4, which is at the high end of normal. She is having a urinalysis tomorrow to confirm, but it doesn't take a genius to figure out that she's most likely moved from renal insufficiency to CRF.

I am really upset and overwhelmed. I knew this would happen eventually, but I hoped it wouldn't be for a few years yet - she's only 13. She's my "therapy cat" - she comes to me when she senses I'm stressed and need a cuddle. She got me through a lot of hard times when my husband was in and out of the hospital a couple of years ago. I start a new job in a little over a week, and it will be very hard to deal with all of this at once. I'm so afraid that I did this to her, with all the diet changes since the recalls.

And I think I'm going to have problems with the vet. He seems unaware of the controversy over restricting protein, pushed the prescription diets, didn't think restricting phosphorus was as important, and didn't even mention fluid therapy. I can't be fighting with him and trying to help KD at the same time. I hope he'll listen to my concerns when I talk to him tomorrow, but I have a feeling we'll be seeking out a second opinion.

Please, send some good healing thoughts for KD. And for her humans too, if you have them. 

OF, Prayers and positive thoughts for you and KD.

Prayers and positive thoughts to you and KD

db

Hi OF, Sending you and KD our prayers and "don't give up yet" attitude we've had over the past 20+ years having 15 cats.  I have seen many miracles with these tiny animals that have 9 lives.  I would change vets immediately if that's a possibility.  There are plenty of vets, internists in particular, that can treat this disease and get it under control.  I have had my internist "flush" their kidneys when they got that high, which is at least a 2 day treatment of constant fluids.  Some vets now recommend 3-4 days of flushing.  I've seen the values decrease tremendously and then with good maintenance you can prolong their lives.
Fluids given at home every day is a must.  I've done it with my cats and it's easy and not painful to the pets.  It really does help and makes them feel so good.  I have found when they are fully hydrated they will have a normal appetite, and it will also stop the constipation.  Flushing and daily fluids can deplete their potassium and vit a, so blood panels need to be monitored and supplements may have to be given.  I had one cat that had to get 6 tabs of Tumil-K a day and just got into the routine of it all. There are also holistic vets that will recommend Chinese herbs and accupuncture.  I'm starting a series of these next week with my 19 YO ARF kitty.  I will not give a prescription diet food, but will find a good quality food with low phosphorus and a decent amount of protein and fiber still (Wellness, Nature's Variety Instinct).  We're all in this together when one of the babies gets ill, so feel free to PM me as I've been through this several times now. 

OF-Good thoughts & prayers from all of us to all of you.Don't let the vet get you down;at this point you probably know more than they do about nutrition.Save your energy for KD.

Ohh, my furkids have paws crossed for you & your baby.

Thanks all.

She had her urinalysis today, and the results will be back on Tuesday. I don't think there's any doubt as to what we'll find.

I had a horrible experience with the vet (not her regular one) this morning. He's a young guy, probably just out of vet school and very arrogant and confrontational. I was quite upset, obviously, and was trying to express my concerns about diet and the protein controversy. He said, and I quote, "I'm a very good veterinarian and so is Dr. (regular vet), and he's right." Then, when I talked about how I wanted to get any concerns out in the open at the start so I wouldn't be constantly in conflict with them: "It's a waste of my time to be talking to you about this." I kid you not, he said these things to me. I told the staff I never want to deal with that guy again. Hopefully things will go better with her regular vet. I'm not opposed to trying low protein to see if it helps, provided he's willing to acknowledge that it's not a universally accepted thing. I checked out one other clinic but they seem about the same.

I've been crying all last night and this morning. KD sensed something was wrong and was curled up with me and my husband all night. Trying to take care of us, even though she's not feeling well. Such a special cat.

Orange Fuzzball, all is not lost. KD can have up to or over two more years
with the right treatment. My kids have been receiving it since January, and
you just have to have faith in your vet and do some things you've never
done before. With the love you have for KD, I'm sure you will. So don't cry
any more, except when you have to, and be sure of your vet and committed
to giving KD the very best quality of life you can. No one can ask more of you.
Love and encouragement,
3cats