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Petra
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« Reply #15 on: September 03, 2007, 06:25:02 PM » |
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Orange Fuzball, I agree with those that said Hydrating is very helpfull. My Remo who is 20+ now just went through all this and wants you to know there is hope, lots of it. He was hydrated at home for 10 days and after a month of holistic treatments he's doing just great! We send you good thoughts, hope, a positive attitude and hugs to kitty. Hang in there and I hope you find a better vet.
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catmom5
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« Reply #16 on: September 03, 2007, 06:50:37 PM » |
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Please let me add my thoughts and prayers to the others who have posted here. I agree that you ought to see another vet if at all possible. It's so important to work together to get KD stabilized and treated.
CJ went into ARF in November (thanks Nutro) and she was hospitalized at a university teaching vet hospital, given iv fluids, meds, etc for nearly 2 weeks before she came home. (She stops eating when she's sick so we had the potential of fatty liver disease to contend with, too.) She has done very well and has not needed extra fluids, etc for the kidney function. As far as food, her clinic vet has insisted on Eukanuba Low Residue because of other issues (probable IBD) but her kidney function at the present time is just fine.
I know that you may be in a different place, but please don't give up hope.
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JJ
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« Reply #17 on: September 03, 2007, 08:11:00 PM » |
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Special thoughts are being sent your way to help you and KD on the healing way.
With my previous dog I did get a 2nd opinion and it was a good decision. Hope all goes well with your current vet and if not you have the option of finding a more understanding, more enlightened one. Take care.
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'Life isn't about how to survive the storm,
But how to dance in the rain.'
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Poco
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« Reply #18 on: September 03, 2007, 09:15:08 PM » |
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Hope to hear that you have found a compatible vet. Sometimes the older conventional vets are more open-minded that the younger ones. I have run into the attitude you describe more with human doctors than with animal doctors. It is irksome but I know you'll find a better working relationship.
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kaffe
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« Reply #19 on: September 03, 2007, 10:13:56 PM » |
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KD will be in our prayers. We'll also pray that you will find the right vet.
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rom6
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« Reply #20 on: September 04, 2007, 08:41:24 AM » |
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OF, I hope you and KD get better news today. My thoughts are with you.
And Nabiya, none of us would trash you for expressing your opinion on anything.
Of all the posters here on Itchmo, you seem most knowledgeable and experienced
in handling renal illness. And you have such a kind heart. If I had any sick furkids,
I'd seek out your advice right away.
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"Money may buy you a fine dog, but only love can make him wag his tail." -Kinky Friedman
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ranger
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« Reply #21 on: September 04, 2007, 11:22:40 AM » |
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Did you get the results from the vet yet? I have been following this thread hope you don't mind me asking.
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Orange Fuzzball
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« Reply #22 on: September 04, 2007, 03:22:44 PM » |
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Thanks all for the good thoughts and advice.
To update KD's condition: she's still not eating much, but the constipation is resolving and she seems a lot more comfortable. She's not dehydrated or vomiting. If it wasn't for the lack of appetite, you wouldn't know she's sick.
I just got off the phone with the vet. Her urine is dilute but "not extremely so" (I don't have the exact numbers; will go down and get a copy of the results). And she doesn't have an infection, so that's a tiny bit of good news at least.
As for the conversation with her regular vet: it went better than with the other one, but I'm still uneasy. He is an older, very experienced vet who has undoubtedly treated a lot of CRF cats, but he's also pretty conventional. He seemed more open to the idea of me doing my own research and being comfortable with any treatment we try. I'd love some feedback on the following points:
- He doesn't think her numbers are really bad - he has seen worse.
- He doesn't think subQ fluids are necessary yet but didn't specify when they would be.
- He recommends the prescription food but understands why I'm uneasy and isn't being pushy about it. (I probably will try this, though I don't think it's a magic treatment especially since she's still not eating much.)
- He has also recommended a medication called Fortekor (ACE inhibitor). Anyone have experience with this?
My main concern is that he didn't really have time to talk to me as he has other appointments; and when I suggested I make an appointment to come in later and talk to him in more detail, he didn't think there was much more to discuss. At least he wasn't a jerk like the other guy, so that's an improvement. I would like to talk to another vet just for a second opinion, but I can't find any listings for "alternative" vets in my city, so I have no reason to expect any other conventional vet will be any different.
I feel completely paralyzed right now and I have no idea what to do next. Suggestions are welcome but please don't yell at me - I really think I might break.
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JustMe
Global Moderator
Hero Member
Posts: 4664
Herdin' Cats and 2 GSDs
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« Reply #23 on: September 04, 2007, 04:11:56 PM » |
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OF, {{{HUGS}}} All I can offer are my prayers and share what is going on with my 17-year-old kitty who has been in early CRF for over a year now. Labs as of February hadn't gotten any worse per vet. Don't know what the values were though. I was stupid not to get them. Going to vet for recheck and labs in a few weeks. I'll report his labs when we get them back. He's not on any fluids. Gets a lot of fluid from his wet food. He gets now dry whatsoever anymore. He won't eat prescription diets. Drinks a little extra water. No excessive urination. Supposed to be on Epikatin (a phosphorus binder), but won't eat his food when I mix it in. He's gaining weight on his current food. I don't want him to get thin as all my CRF cats got thin. I am going to ask about the Forketor when we go for our visit. Interesting that it is an ACE inhibitor (heart medication). My guy suppposedly had high blood pressure . They put a cuff around his tail and measured it twice, but his pressure has been back to normal now. He also has a heart murmur. I'd want to see a lot more data on Forketor, if it was me. I've been trying to find the FDA information on it. Found this for starters (when you can concentrate better). http://www.felinecrf.org/treatments.htm#ACEISuggest joining one of the support groups for CRF. JustMe |
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Never forget our cats and dogs and the Pet Food Recalls of 2007; the reason most of us are here!
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Nabiya
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« Reply #24 on: September 04, 2007, 04:20:28 PM » |
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Hi Orange Fuzzball, Even if KD is ARF and not CRF, she needs the fluids. This is a proactive approach even if her numbers aren't that bad. Twice weekly would help her out tremendously. If she's not eating at all, then you need to get something in her. Have you tried baby food? Gerbers jarred stage 2 foods, meat only. A couple of the relatively safe brands of Fancy Feast are the Turkey and Giblets Feast and the Savory Salmon Feast. For some reason even very sick cats will still eat this [edited] (testing filter here). Both the baby food and FF would be recommended just to get her over the not eating problem and wouldn't be recommended long term.
I'd like to know more specifically what the blood panel shows for the BUN and Creatine values. Would you mind sending me a PM on this? The ACE inhibitor I believe is a phosphorus binder but I'd like to know what the phosphorus value was in the blood panel, too.
I still don't have a very comfortable feeling about this vet since he didn't really address the question of getting fluids started on a regular basis. I can tell you that I don't know of a vet in No. California where I live that wouldn't recommend starting fluids when the cat is still ARF and certainly if they are CRF.
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5CatMom
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« Reply #25 on: September 04, 2007, 04:32:01 PM » |
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Orange Fuzzball,
Just found this thread and read what you and KD are going through. Sure hope you find a good vet that is willing to work with you. Lots of help available here, too.
My crew and I will say a special kitty prayer for you and KD tonight.
Sandpaper kisses from Anthony, Rocky, Cleopatra, Spot, and Buster.
5CatMom
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"What is man without the beasts? If the beasts were gone, men would die from a great loneliness of spirit. For whatever happens to the beasts, soon happens to man. All things are connected." Chief Seattle
"We are the caretakers of our creatures . . . the peacekeepers of our planet"
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JustMe
Global Moderator
Hero Member
Posts: 4664
Herdin' Cats and 2 GSDs
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« Reply #26 on: September 04, 2007, 04:56:23 PM » |
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Fortekor is not a phosphorus binder. It is an ACE inhibitor (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitor. The link explains it in basic terms. The manufacturer claims it reduces the loss of protein in urine. http://www.felinecrf.org/treatments.htm#ACEIJust in case you need the information. The phosphorus levels for FF/Gluten Free. 1. Ocean Whitefish & Tuna Feast- Dry Matter Phos-2.59% 2. Gourmet Chicken Feast- Dry Matter Phos- 2.04% 3. Savory Salmon Feast- Dry Matter Phos- 2.13% 4. Turkey & Giblets Feast- Dry Matter Phos- 1.63% 5. Tender Beef Feast- Dry Matter Phos- 2.04% 6. Tender Beef & Liver Feast- Dry Matter Phos- 1.68% Phosphorus levels for Wellness: PHOSPHORUS DRY MATTER BASIS Kitten: 1.15 Turkey: 1.05% Beef & Salmon 1.06% Chicken: 1.15% Beef & Chicken: 1.17% Salmon & Trout: 1.28% Sardine, Shrimp, Crab: 1.30% Chicken & Lobster: 1.31% Turkey & Salmon: 1.44% Chicken & Herring: 1.48% |
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« Last Edit: September 04, 2007, 05:02:10 PM by JustMe »
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Never forget our cats and dogs and the Pet Food Recalls of 2007; the reason most of us are here!
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lesliek
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« Reply #27 on: September 04, 2007, 04:57:37 PM » |
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OF- That was 1 of the meds we tried. Didn't do much. I agree on the 2x week subc fluids,it helped more than anything else. I had no luck with the rx dry foods. Or wet. Patches wouldn't eat them. My vet had me try some of Dr Strombeck's recipes. Those she ate for a few mo's. We were able to keep her happy & comfy for 2 1/2 yrs.Sending hopes & prayers & good thoughts your way.
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"the world's most inept extortionist"
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Orange Fuzzball
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« Reply #28 on: September 04, 2007, 07:10:31 PM » |
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I got a recommendation for another vet from a friend and will be calling him tomorrow. My friend says he is always willing to take the time to sit down and explain everything in detail, and that's what I need right now. JustMe: Thanks - she's been eating Wellness Turkey and Beef & Salmon for a while now but I can hardly get it into her lately. I was happy with those phosphorus levels when her kidneys were just "iffy" - but now that she's in CRF I'd rather go lower. And unfortunately, my only option for that might be the prescription crap. If she'll even eat it.  Can you recommend a support group? I'll definitely look at joining one, once I'm on a bit more solid ground with KD's treatment plan. Nabiya: I'm hoping this other vet will be more proactive. You're lucky to live where you do - there seem to be a lot of good vets on the west coast. I listed KD's lab results in the first post in this thread in international units - I'll try to find a conversion chart for the US units and send you a PM. |
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