4 Years treating our cat for chronic kidney disease

[Number9Dream]

A year ago, I posted about Alex, our chocolate point Siamese, who was diagnosed with feline chronic kidney disease (chronic renal failure) in 2011. At that time, our vet estimated his kidney function at not more than 25%. Another year later, he's still alive and well. Our vet said subcutaneous fluid infusion treatments might buy us a bit more time with him. Because we love him, and because he's very good-natured to tolerate the treatments, we tentatively agreed to try giving him the infusions (having never done anything like that before). We decided that if they made Alex's life miserable, we would cease the treatments. Our vet told us that the longest he'd known of a cat surviving CKD with infusions was 2 years. Every Monday - Wednesday - Friday for 4 years now, my wife and I have teamed to give Alex 200ml of Normosol. If you saw Alex, you wouldn't know that there was anything wrong with him (other than being 17 plus). His quality of life remains very good.

If any of your pets are diagnosed with CKD (aka: CRF), know that it is possible to prolong a good quality of life for them.

Check in if you have / had a cat or dog with CKD.

[redwitch]

1. Gorgeous cat!

How amazing that he has thrived for so long. My friend had a beloved kitty that she did the same for but I think for only a year or so.

Good job Alex!

[Hoyt]

2. Beautiful cat. That's amazing. I did the IV treatment for only a few weeks on

a cat that was almost 20. He just didn't do very well, and was having other serious issues. So, I appreciate the effort and the devotion you guys have shown.

Here's to more quality years with Alex.

[Number9Dream]

4. Thank You n/t

[Major Nikon]

3. I had a dog with kidney disease that lived with it for many years

We had her on a special diet and gave her various medicines. I don't remember how many years she lived with it, but I'm sure it was at least 5. She lived to be 17 before her kidneys failed completely. She looked terrible the last few years as she lost most of her hair, but still had a good quality of life.

[Number9Dream]

5. Tried Science Diet kidney food early on... he wouldn't eat it

It does come down to quality of life.

[Major Nikon]

7. We had to mix it into her old food and gradually increase the amount

[TuxedoKat]

6. I treated my cat

for about a year with fluid treatments. Perhaps if I'd started sooner with treatments he'd still be with us. He lasted until age 18.5 years. I had another cat with CKD last until 19.5 years with no treatment because at the time vets didn't really encourage that option. Each cat is so individual on how he/she reacts to this disease. Hope you have many more years with your kitty.

[myrna minx]

8. What a joy to have your beautiful kitty well after diagnosis.

You, your wife and Alex are an inspiration. What wonderful hope!

I have a few questions for you.

My kitty was diagnosed two years ago, after he needed blood work for surgery, but only now he's starting to exhibit the symptoms. He's 18 and his blood work has been stable, but last week he turned up his nose to his food. I feed him Wellness turkey, because he doesn't care for Hill's K/D wet, even thought I've tried to dress up the K/D with greenies. Ha.

After he began to recoil from his food (as well as throwing up water) I took him into the vet. She has now prescribed fluids - along with Pepcid for his tummy.

I read on the link below that if a kitty is not eating, Fancy Feast is like cat crack, so he's been eating that for a few days, but that is high in phosphorous. I want to lure him back to Wellness or K/D, but I'd rather him eat junk food instead of nothing at all.

http://felinecrf.org/

All of the you tube videos show tranquil kitties enjoying their fluid treatments. Well, my kitty, while he's a cuddler and snuggler, he's also fighting me all the way with the fluids. Do you or any one else have any tips?

The second time I tried, I caused him to bleed. I feel like I'm hurting him, but my vet insists I just need to show him who's the boss of this operation. Does it get better with time? Do you get better at it?

I've purchased two different needles - the green kitty harpoon- that allows a quicker flow thus a faster treatment, and the pink - the smaller gage, that may not hurt as much, but the treatment takes longer. I've only used the green harpoon. Does anything have any thoughts?

I'm so intimidated by the treatments. *Sigh*

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Number9Dream]

9. Working on a detailed reply - I'll DU mail it when done

[myrna minx]

14. Thank you so much for your help! All of your advice has helped immensely. I've had many successful

treatments - some with squirmy drama and others tranquil due to greenie distractions. I feet so relived. Thanks again to you. May you your wife and Alex have a wonderful summer.

[bettyellen]

11. Use a sink of hot water to warm the fluid first, also use gravity to increase flow and if you can

Get someone to help and squeeze it so flow will go faster. Make sure you pick up the scruff well and stab just in the "tent" you've created. Treat them after you do it so they associate the sub cu with good things. It should help perk her up so pet her well after too, so she feels doubly better!
Look online for how to hold the cats-I used to need to swaddle mine a bit in the beginning but it did get easier and easier!
Purines sells an additive that helps make fools more palatable- forti flora. Baby food (pre toddler- no spices!) in pure chicken turkey or beef is a good healthy food that is more tolerated than chunkier kinds.
My cat had kidney failure at age 8 and lived another 9 years. It took two moths and a lot of wasted cans, but spoonful by spoonful her intake of KD increased daily. She absolutely refused to taste it- but two months later, it was all she ate. Within six months, she did not need fluids anymore!

[myrna minx]

15. Thank you for your help! I've had several successful treatments, and it's just

amazing how much he's revived. He's now eating K/D - even though he's dubious - he's at least eating. He hasn't had any nausia and it's like I have my snuggly baby back. Thank you again for your thoughtful advice. I'm very appreciative.

[bettyellen]

16. Oh Myrna! soooo happy to hear this! A friend who usually hates other prescription food

Strongly suggested I try it- and keep the cat on it forever. I did and it worked wonders. She lived another nine years, just about doubling her age.
Glad you're getting the hang of it! When you buy the supplies online it's not too bad at all.

[myrna minx]

17. Thank you. I feel fortunate that I can afford his treatments.

I know for many it would be really expensive and not possible to pay for the fluid, drip set and food. I've been able to get better deals on pet 360 then from my vet.

Kitty is a little snobby with the K/D *sniff/*sniff* but if I've made a slurry with warm water and top with greenies, well, he may partake. Ha. They make us work!

Thanks again for your advice. It really helped me.

[bettyellen]

18. Oh yay- I appreciate you coming back and telling me so!

I think the warm water trick is the best. :-D
Years ago when my poor Little Girl was first very sick (as well as a dear human friend!) and I was worried about the cost- I had no confidence that I could do the saline myself, and even if I could the bag and line set was very pricey from the vet, the vet also recommended she go in for some expensive treatment and I was between jobs- so the hundreds of costs monthly we're going to break me... Anyway- it seemed dire. I was on the she of tears walking through a park, and I ran into an old friend and told her about it. She told me it could be done - easily for 1/10 the cost!- and she would show me how. She said not to worry about the weekend intense treatment is she was already bouncing back. And she showed me how to do it (on her own cat) and gave me a bag of saline and some needles. I took care of her cat when she went away for a weekend- and she saved my cat's life!
It was before the Internet, so I just took the vets word for it and was close to putting the poor baby down!
One last thing- check out Yahoo or Google groups for Feline & CKD there will be a lot of additional
Support and tips there for you! Invaluable.
Good luck and congratulations! :Hattip:

[tblue37]

10. I also enjoyed exra good years with an older cat by treating her with regular subcutaneous

Last edited Thu Jul 16, 2015, 10:46 PM - Edit history (1)

fluid injections.

Most pet cats used to die at around 15 years old because of kidney failure. My Lila lived to 19, though her kidneys began to have trouble when she was not yet 15.

[restorefreedom]

12. beautiful kitty

had one that lived for 3 years. we were hoping for one and she just kept going. and was happy.

[shenmue]

13. Cute feller