cat with kidney problems

For all your feline miscellany - any interesting stories, news or subjects that do not fit in the other sections.
ladymissk
Experienced Cat Chatter
Posts: 58
Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2015 10:09 am

cat with kidney problems

Post 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
ladymissk
Experienced Cat Chatter
Posts: 58
Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2015 10:09 am

Re: cat with kidney problems

Post by ladymissk »

ANYONE???
User avatar
greenkitty
VIP Cat Chatter!
Posts: 787
Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2014 1:30 pm
No. of cats in household: 3
Location: Hampshire, UK

Re: cat with kidney problems

Post 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!
booktigger
VIP Cat Chatter!
Posts: 2664
Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2014 1:36 pm
No. of cats in household: 3

Re: cat with kidney problems

Post 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?
ladymissk
Experienced Cat Chatter
Posts: 58
Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2015 10:09 am

Re: cat with kidney problems

Post 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.
User avatar
greenkitty
VIP Cat Chatter!
Posts: 787
Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2014 1:30 pm
No. of cats in household: 3
Location: Hampshire, UK

Re: cat with kidney problems

Post by greenkitty »

I've just bought some Fortiflora, it's highly palatable and Tig has been clearing his bowl with this sprinkled on top.
User avatar
Janey
VIP Cat Chatter!
Posts: 930
Joined: Tue Mar 04, 2014 1:04 pm
No. of cats in household: 1

Re: cat with kidney problems

Post 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.
ladymissk
Experienced Cat Chatter
Posts: 58
Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2015 10:09 am

Re: cat with kidney problems

Post 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...
alanc
VIP Cat Chatter!
Posts: 842
Joined: Mon Oct 19, 2015 6:52 pm
No. of cats in household: 1
Location: West Oxfordshire

Re: cat with kidney problems

Post by alanc »

I've found cooked haddock can persuade a reluctant cat to eat. As Janey says, better they eat something than nothing.
booktigger
VIP Cat Chatter!
Posts: 2664
Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2014 1:36 pm
No. of cats in household: 3

Re: cat with kidney problems

Post 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?
ladymissk
Experienced Cat Chatter
Posts: 58
Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2015 10:09 am

Re: cat with kidney problems

Post 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
booktigger
VIP Cat Chatter!
Posts: 2664
Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2014 1:36 pm
No. of cats in household: 3

Re: cat with kidney problems

Post by booktigger »

Have they recommended medication for her blood pressure?
User avatar
Judy Barnett
VIP Cat Chatter!
Posts: 161
Joined: Mon Dec 19, 2016 7:25 pm
No. of cats in household: 1
Location: Stoke on Trent

Re: cat with kidney problems

Post 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.
ladymissk
Experienced Cat Chatter
Posts: 58
Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2015 10:09 am

Re: cat with kidney problems

Post 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
booktigger
VIP Cat Chatter!
Posts: 2664
Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2014 1:36 pm
No. of cats in household: 3

Re: cat with kidney problems

Post 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?
ladymissk
Experienced Cat Chatter
Posts: 58
Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2015 10:09 am

Re: cat with kidney problems

Post by ladymissk »

Yes, I thought plain chicken ws OK to give her? She also likes the Gourmet pates are they OK?
booktigger
VIP Cat Chatter!
Posts: 2664
Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2014 1:36 pm
No. of cats in household: 3

Re: cat with kidney problems

Post 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
User avatar
MarkB
VIP Cat Chatter!
Posts: 1348
Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2014 2:40 pm
No. of cats in household: 4
Location: Whitstable, Kent

Re: cat with kidney problems

Post 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.
User avatar
Kay
VIP Cat Chatter!
Posts: 1961
Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2014 2:50 pm
No. of cats in household: 1
Location: West Wales

Re: cat with kidney problems

Post by Kay »

there are a few varieties of Gourmet Gold Pate in a senior version - Tesco sell them
ladymissk
Experienced Cat Chatter
Posts: 58
Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2015 10:09 am

Re: cat with kidney problems

Post 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?
User avatar
greenkitty
VIP Cat Chatter!
Posts: 787
Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2014 1:30 pm
No. of cats in household: 3
Location: Hampshire, UK

Re: cat with kidney problems

Post 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.
booktigger
VIP Cat Chatter!
Posts: 2664
Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2014 1:36 pm
No. of cats in household: 3

Re: cat with kidney problems

Post by booktigger »

Aww, I'm so sorry to hear that, RIP little one
ladymissk
Experienced Cat Chatter
Posts: 58
Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2015 10:09 am

Re: cat with kidney problems

Post 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.
User avatar
Lilith
VIP Cat Chatter!
Posts: 3600
Joined: Sat Dec 20, 2014 8:00 pm
No. of cats in household: 1
Location: West Yorks

Re: cat with kidney problems

Post by Lilith »

Greenkitty, so very sorry to hear about Tig (hugs) x

Good luck and all the best with your little girl, Ladymissk x
User avatar
Mayday21
VIP Cat Chatter!
Posts: 845
Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2015 7:44 am
No. of cats in household: 5
Location: Australia

Re: cat with kidney problems

Post 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
ladymissk
Experienced Cat Chatter
Posts: 58
Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2015 10:09 am

Re: cat with kidney problems

Post by ladymissk »

Thanks Lilith x
ladymissk
Experienced Cat Chatter
Posts: 58
Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2015 10:09 am

Re: cat with kidney problems

Post 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...
User avatar
Lilith
VIP Cat Chatter!
Posts: 3600
Joined: Sat Dec 20, 2014 8:00 pm
No. of cats in household: 1
Location: West Yorks

Re: cat with kidney problems

Post by Lilith »

So very sorry to hear (hugs) x
booktigger
VIP Cat Chatter!
Posts: 2664
Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2014 1:36 pm
No. of cats in household: 3

Re: cat with kidney problems

Post by booktigger »

I'm so sorry to hear this
ladymissk
Experienced Cat Chatter
Posts: 58
Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2015 10:09 am

Re: cat with kidney problems

Post by ladymissk »

I've sat with her and cuddled her and told her how much we love her...
Post Reply