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Thread: Willy ~ Renal failure

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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
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    Willy ~ Renal failure

    Willy has been losing weight lately and drinking a lot of water. We took him to the vet yesterday figuring diabetes. But, his urine sample is definite for kidney failure.

    He's only 6 years old! Willow, is sister, is healthy as a horse.
    We started them on k/d wet and dry food. Luckily, everyone seems to like the wet food. Willy loves the dry food more than the wet.



    If you have any experience or advice, please let me know. Our vet does not seem hopeful for his long term health.
    Ask your vet about microchipping. ~ It could have saved Kuhio's life.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
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    Oh no. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I knew Willy was so young.
    My Taz was diagnosed with renal failure shortly after he had surgery to remove some sacks that were surrounding his kidneys. I believe there was more to his health than I knew. Or the surgery brought on the failure. Not sure, but he was around 14/15 years old at that time. He did not make it a year.
    But I know there are lots of others here on Pet Talk that have had (and still have) cats that are staying strong through the years. I remember reading somewhere recently (can't remember who posted or where I read it) that their cat was diagnosed 5 years ago. With proper care (and I know you will give proper care) Willy can be with you for years to come.
    It might come down to you needing to give him sub-q fluids at home. Have you done that before? I had read about it here on PT and thought I'd NEVER be able to do it. I did it with Taz and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. They seem to know it helps them.

    I will be thinking of you and Willy.
    Our goal in life should be - to be as good a person as our dog thinks we are.

    Thank you for the siggy, Michelle!


    Cindy (Human) - Taz (RB Tabby) - Zoee (RB Australian Shepherd) - Paizly (Dilute Tortie) - Taggart (Aussie Mix) - Jax (Brown & White Tabby), - Zeplyn (Cattle Dog Mix)

  3. #3
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    oh Lisa, i am so sorry to read this, he is so young, but i am sure with the love and expert care you give him and advice from your vet Willy will live a long life, i went through it all with Ash, but then he was an old cat, and he was on steroids, which may or may not be suitable for Willy,i wish you and Willy all the best and i hope he will continue to do well on his new diet.,thinking of you both. HUGS.

    P.S as for SUB Q'S i would discuss this fully with your vet first.
    Furangels only lent.
    RIP my gorgeous Sooti, taken from us far too young, we miss your beautiful face and purssonality,take care of Ash for us, love you xx000❤️❤️

    RIP my beautiful Ash,your pawprints are forever in my heart, love and miss you so much my big boy. ❤️❤️

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    RIP our sweet Nikita taken suddenly ,way too soon ,you were a special girl we loved you so much ,miss you ❤️❤️

    RIP my beautiful Lexie, 15 years of unconditional love you gave us, we loved you so much, and miss you more than words can say.❤️❤️

    RIP beautiful Evee Ray Skye ,my life will never be the same with out you ,I loved you so much, I will never forget you ,miss you my darling .❤️❤️

  4. #4
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    Aug 2004
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    Lisa, if it is CRF - the chronic kind - Willy could live many good years yet with the right food (great that they BOTH like it!) and sub Q fluids when the time comes. I don't have kidney cats (yet?) but I seem to recall that a few can get by on extra wet food and going to the sub fluids later.

    Thank goodness you saw to this early! Willy looks perky and healthy - I bet he'll fool the vet and then some!
    "Do or do not. There is no try." -- Yoda

  5. #5
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    While Myndi isn't a cat, she was diagnosed with kidney disease, tho not full blown kidney failure. She has been on prescription k/d for about a year and a half, and is doing very well considering that she is now 16. She takes no meds for it and does not require fluids. Once you get the k/d into Willy, you should notice a drastic change in the amount of water he drinks, and of course the peeing that goes with it.

    Prayers that he does well and is with you for a good long time to come.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Wolfy ~ Fuzzbutt #3
    My little dog ~ a heartbeat at my feet

    Sparky the Fuzzbutt - PT's DOTD 8/3/2010
    RIP 2/28/1999~10/9/2012
    Myndi the Fuzzbutt - Mom's DOTD - Everyday
    RIP 1/24/1996~8/9/2013
    Ellie - Mom to the Fuzzbuttz

    To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.
    Ecclesiastes 3:1
    The clock of life is wound but once and no man has the power
    To know just when the hands will stop - on what day, or what hour.
    Now is the only time you have, so live it with a will -
    Don't wait until tomorrow - the hands may then be still.
    ~~~~true author unknown~~~~

  6. #6
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    This is from Sunday's Cat of the Day's thread, the person who posted it promised she doesn't work for that company, but has had such good results with it, she wanted to make sure people knew about it.

    Has your Momma heard about "Tripsy"? It is a liquid drops supplement for cats with kidney problems. It has VERY GOOD reviews. Please have your Momma search for Tripsy at
    www.petwellbeing.com. Read the reviews for it. It has a 4.6 out of 5 stars rating, with 303 reviews. I give it to a couple of my older cats to prevent future kidney problems.
    I've Been Frosted

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
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    Cincinnati, Ohio USA
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    Lisa,
    Please, do not dispair! Tex was in renal failure for years, on two different meds, and did very well. If your vet is giving you a poor picture, please, find someone else to assist Willy.

    Lots of luck and love coming to you two.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
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    Litter Box, Greenville, SC
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    I have no suggestions, but I can give you positive thoughts and prayers. Willie, make it through this.
    Anne
    Meowmie to Lucy Lou and Barney, and Aunt to Timmy (RIP)

    Former kitties now in foster care: Nellie aka Eleanor van Fluffytail (at a Cat Cafe), Lady Jane Grey, Bob the Bobtail, and Callie. Kimi has been adopted into another family that understands Siamese. HRH Oliver Woodrow von Katz is in a Sanctuary.

    I'm Homeless, but with resources, and learning to live again.


    RIP Timmy (nephew kitty) May 17, 2018, Mr. Spunky (May 10, 2017), Samwise (Dec 2, 2014), Emily (Oct 8, 2013), Rose (Sept 24, 2001), Maggie (Fall 2003)

  9. #9
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    Mar 2002
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    Lisa, I'm so sorry to hear about Willy. So far I haven't had any cats with kidney problems only urinary tract problems. I sure hope that Willy will continue to like his new food and will be around for many more years to come. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent his way.

  10. #10
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    It's going to be interesting, seeing Willy's blood test results in April after only a diet change. I've never been able to go that route because either the cat hates the food to the point of not eating at all or I have younger special needs fosters who have to have the usual cat foods. My vets have always suggested a special diet but all six vets I've worked with on CRF cats over the years have prescribed fluids also. With values as high as Willy's, we've started off with large amounts daily, tested the blood 4-6 weeks later, and then been able to cut back. However, if Willy is eating that well those toxins are not making him feel nauseated and that's great.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
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    Methuen, MA; USA
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    Continued prayers from RI for Willy.

    Since you are talking about a second opinion, would you consider a practitioner of TCM - Traditional Chinese Medicine? - a TCMVet? This person is a qualified vet who also uses herbs in the treatment - not in place of, but in addition to. I recently became involved with this when my dog, Sugar, had blood work which showed elevated liver enzymes. After the fact, we figured out the toxin was from chicken jerky from China. In cases where dogs are treated only with the pharmaceutical medicines, it takes several months to clear the liver of toxins which have built up and sometimes other issues developed as a result. WITH the herbs, we got everything under control in 2 weeks. I was sort of thrown into it all, due to the crisis with Sugar, but did lots of online research, talked online with tons of folks and was comfortable with following the TCM vet's guidance.

    Just a thought.
    .

  12. #12
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    Willy's appetite is okay -- not great, but okay. If I warm the food in the microwave a little, he's more interested. But, he is cooperating with the Tripsy twice a day. It has improved his appetite and he hasn't lost any more weight.

    He seems to be feeling better. No longer isolating himself and he's a real snuggle bunny. But, he's not playing with his favorite toys or cat nip.

    Walter (kidney transplant kitty on IMOM, is rejecting his kidney. It has already been damaged. The anti-rejection medicine that he will need to take for the rest of his life, does not seem to be working right now but there is still hope he will approve.
    Ask your vet about microchipping. ~ It could have saved Kuhio's life.

  13. #13
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    Took Willy to the vet today. He has lost another 2 pounds The vet showed Bobcat and I how to give him sub-q fluids. We will do that every other day. I asked the vet how much time Willy has and he said a month or 2. We're still praying for a miracle.

    For those of you who may not have heard, the kitty on IMOM that received the kidney transplant, did not make it.
    Ask your vet about microchipping. ~ It could have saved Kuhio's life.

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