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cat with kidney problems

Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2017 11:38 am
by ladymissk
Hi Catchatters, Ive not been on here for a while!! My cat Beryl has previously had a few kidney problems. She had a biopsy this week and her kidneys are enlarged, and she may have a urinary tract infection. I have tried to get her to eat renal food, shes ok with the biscuits, but wont eat the wet food. Someone suggested Minced turkey, is this ok? Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks

Re: cat with kidney problems

Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2017 2:18 pm
by ladymissk
ANYONE???

Re: cat with kidney problems

Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2017 3:23 pm
by greenkitty
I have a cat in renal failure, like Beryl he won't eat the wet food. I tried mixing it in with his normal food but as I as start cutting back the normal food he won't eat it. Have you tried things like warming it up? Crushing a couple of her favourite treats are sprinkling it on top of it?

TBH he's at the end stage so it's more important that he eats something rather than nothing!

Re: cat with kidney problems

Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2017 6:10 pm
by booktigger
Renal dry is more palatable, and I've had two cats where just changing the dry and leaving on normal wet (neither were big wet fans) reduced their levels back in normal range. Mixing renal and normal can help, if not senior can be a good compromise. If she has a UTI, her kidneys may only be temporarily affected - has she had blood tests? When will you know if a UTI is definite?

Re: cat with kidney problems

Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2017 7:01 pm
by ladymissk
Thanks guys, I'm just waiting for the results of her urine tests. Should get them tomorrow. I've tried minced turkey but she just walked off! She's lost weight so I just want her to eat anything at the moment.

Re: cat with kidney problems

Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2017 9:21 am
by greenkitty
I've just bought some Fortiflora, it's highly palatable and Tig has been clearing his bowl with this sprinkled on top.

Re: cat with kidney problems

Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2017 9:27 am
by Janey
Definitely better to eat something than nothing (as my vets advised when mine have had kidney issues). Have you tried Gourmet pates? they never fail with mine, just using them atm with my elderly ferals who have cold.

Re: cat with kidney problems

Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2017 7:22 pm
by ladymissk
Ive just tried fresh minced turkey but she won't eat that...I'm at my wits end, she's so thin. I've ordered some Hills renal food, and she's back at the vets Tuesday...

Re: cat with kidney problems

Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2017 7:58 pm
by alanc
I've found cooked haddock can persuade a reluctant cat to eat. As Janey says, better they eat something than nothing.

Re: cat with kidney problems

Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2017 7:59 pm
by booktigger
Royal Canin tends to be popular, they do 3 kinds of dry and 4 minds of wet. What food does she normally eat? Have you had her urine test back yet?

Re: cat with kidney problems

Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2017 10:29 am
by ladymissk
Yes no urinary infection, just very high blood pressure..I'm just going out to get a selection of foods, I'll keep u posted

Re: cat with kidney problems

Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2017 8:04 pm
by booktigger
Have they recommended medication for her blood pressure?

Re: cat with kidney problems

Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2017 8:47 pm
by Judy Barnett
I had a cat who was in renal failure for six years before he passed away. When he was on a downward path for a few days I broke up chunks of cheddar cheese for him and it perked his appetite up enough to get him eating again.

Re: cat with kidney problems

Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2017 3:29 pm
by ladymissk
I've finally got her eating plain cooked chicken breast!! She loves it, so I'm going to keep feeding her that. She's got some new renal food arriving Tuesday so I'm hoping she likes it. yes she is on medication for her blood pressure she's on Amodip

Re: cat with kidney problems

Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2017 4:15 pm
by booktigger
The problem with plain chicken is not only is it very high in protein, but it isn't balanced. Is she still eating the biscuits?

Re: cat with kidney problems

Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2017 4:17 pm
by ladymissk
Yes, I thought plain chicken ws OK to give her? She also likes the Gourmet pates are they OK?

Re: cat with kidney problems

Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2017 4:54 pm
by booktigger
It's not ideal, as if she stops eating biscuits, it doesn't contain enough nutrients. Gourmet pate is complete so she will get enough nutrients with that

Re: cat with kidney problems

Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2017 8:24 am
by MarkB
I agree with Desley. I have had several cats over the years with CRD. None of them have been keen on renal wet, but senior wet is a good compromise. Felix senior pouches are lower in phosphorus and protein than the adult versions. One of mine managed for 5 years on renal dry and senior wet food. Things like chicken and turkey are better than nothing, but high in phosphorus, which isn't good - and as Desley says,not balanced. I was talking to my vet last year.She specialises in cats. She said many of them with chronic illnesses like kidney disease,end up dying from starvation rather than what is wrong with them, so keeping them eating is the most important thing- however, much better if they are eating balanced cat food.

Re: cat with kidney problems

Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2017 9:40 am
by Kay
there are a few varieties of Gourmet Gold Pate in a senior version - Tesco sell them

Re: cat with kidney problems

Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2017 2:16 pm
by ladymissk
Thanks guys. She went to the vets last night and it wasn't good news. Her kidneys are bigger, and she's lost a lot of weight, she reckons we are looking at 2 months max. I'm heartbroken. With her drinking a lot, she's getting her fur wet under her chin and it looks so sore. I'm at my wits end, I don't want her to be uncomfortable but I must don't know what to do?

Re: cat with kidney problems

Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2017 10:27 am
by greenkitty
I let Tig go on Saturday, I knew he was in decline and had a long think about his quality of life, he hadn't had a good day in over a week, was starting to become constipated on top of everything else and just seemed to be existing rather than living, lip licking despite anti nausea meds and sitting/sleeping upright all the time. I talked it through with my vet and she agreed it was time. I found it hard because he looked "normal" on the outside but things weren't good on the inside. I kept in my mind better a day too early, than a day too late. The vet said it would only be miserable from here on so that was decision made for me - it took me a few days to actually call the vet though but I was the right thing to do for him.

Re: cat with kidney problems

Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2017 12:33 pm
by booktigger
Aww, I'm so sorry to hear that, RIP little one

Re: cat with kidney problems

Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2017 4:54 pm
by ladymissk
So sorry to hear of your loss. I won't let her suffer, the minute she shows any sign of distress I know it's time to let her go.

Re: cat with kidney problems

Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2017 9:28 pm
by Lilith
Greenkitty, so very sorry to hear about Tig (hugs) x

Good luck and all the best with your little girl, Ladymissk x

Re: cat with kidney problems

Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2017 9:16 pm
by Mayday21
Greenkitty sorry to read about Tig - it's a hard decision but to watch them suffer is worse. RIP Tig & enjoy the bridge. Vivian

Re: cat with kidney problems

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2017 4:12 pm
by ladymissk
Thanks Lilith x

Re: cat with kidney problems

Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2017 7:46 pm
by ladymissk
I think it's time to let her go....she's just sat by her water bowl, picking at food...I've been dreading this moment...I think my heart is actually breaking...

Re: cat with kidney problems

Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2017 8:16 pm
by Lilith
So very sorry to hear (hugs) x

Re: cat with kidney problems

Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2017 8:19 pm
by booktigger
I'm so sorry to hear this

Re: cat with kidney problems

Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2017 9:24 pm
by ladymissk
I've sat with her and cuddled her and told her how much we love her...