***Cosmo Has Kidney Disease ***

[elizabethann]

Cosmo has kidney disease. They did multiple tests on him & the 2 tests for kidney disease were off the chart. He is now on dialysis. They showed me how to administer it. I gave him 350 cc's at the vets. I have to drop him off tomorrow at 8am. I will leave him there & they will administer the dialysis and keep an eye on him & see how he is doing. Then they'll administer it again Wednesday night & I will pick him up. Then I have to do the same thing on Thursday & possibly on Friday.

I bought him some K/D kibble & canned food. When we got home from the vets he ate some food. I was so happy. But right now he is laying under the bed. Not sure if it's because it's hot out. I don't have the a/c on because I thought it might make him cold.

I feel awful. I feel like it's my fault. When I took my pets for their annual check-up last month, the vet suggested I put Cosmo on K/D but I just poo-poo'd it. Then the vet said that I may have stressed Cosmo out by being gone for 1.5 weeks. So I feel really guilty.

I will take each day at a time. If dialysis doesn't work, I will put him to sleep. The thing that kills me is that other than not eating, he really seems to be okay.

Cats can have kidney transplants but they cost about $10,000. Angel Memorial in Boston could perform it. I think about all those wealthy people in the world that have so much money they don't know what to do with it so they buy house after house & SUV after SUV. I would give anything to have $10,000 in my pocket to give Cosmo a new kidney.

I feel I let Cosmo down. I promised him so many things in life (like a house with a fenced in yard so he could run & enjoy the grass). But I was never able to give him that.

I'm so sorry Cosmo.

[Catty1]

Hey! It's not over yet.

Lots of people here have kidney kitties that do just fine on dialysis(Sub-Q fluids).

Sure, maybe you could have started him earlier on the food, but you didn't. No big deal. He ate a bit now, and that is a sign of hope.

Let the vets get him rehydrated and take it from there.

HUGS

[GreyhoundGirl]

Get well soon, Cosmo !

((( HUGS )))

[Lizzie]

Don't worry too much, the results often look dreadful at first but can be brought down to reasonable levels with sufficient sub-q therapy. I had three cats with kidney disease that were brought back to decent levels, and they were so sick initially that they had to be force fed for a week or two. They all lived for 2+ years after the initial diagnosis and all had other health issues.

Good luck with Cosmo.

[Miss Z]

Kidney disease is very common in cats and when it is first diagnosed, I know how much worry and torment is administered to you. But do not worry, because it is easily managed, through the diet and just general routine, do not give up on him yet! Along with his diet, make sure he has plenty of water available at all times, as he's likely to drink more which helps flush out his kidneys. Cats can live with kidney disease for many years, my RB cat Brando lived with it for 8 years, living a perfectly happy life until his last month. ((hugs)) to you and Cosmo and I hope everything works out for the best.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Kidney disease in cats is not a death sentence. Barbara's Filou has been on fluids for at least a year now, if not longer. Jazzcat's Ripley was very close to death at one point, and fluids and loving care brought him back and he's doing quite well these days. Fluids and potassium supplements made a HUGE difference in Tubby. Unfortunately it was the failing of the rest of Tubby's body that finally did him in, not his kidneys. Catsnclay's Fluffy is currently being administered fluids on a regular basis.

I'm sure there are many more here on PT that have either experienced this in the past or are experiencing it right now, so hang in there. There's a very good chance Cosmo will still be around for many years to come. :)

[kb2yjx]

O please do not beat up yourself!!! Older cats do get kidney disease, and it doesn't matter that you were gone or you could not give Cosmo a fenced in yard!!! What matters is the love and care that you have given Cosmo and that you will continue to give him!!! I gave Miss BooBoo Kitty sub q fluids for just over 4 years and the vet said that is what helped her the most!!! Boo did not care for the k/d or the other renal diet, but she did eat them. Love is what Cosmo needs and you will give him plenty of that !!! Take Care...

[elizabethann]

Cosmo is doing somewhat better now. He wouldn't eat the K/D canned food so I opened up a can of tuna and he ate some of that TWICE last night. And he ate some again this morning plus he ate some of the K/D kibble. He is at the vets again today (he was there yesterday) getting his fluid therapy. I will talk to the vet tonight & start doing the fluid therapy myself. They said they may give him some Purina Kidney food today. If he likes it, I will buy him some.

Question for the folks whose cats had kidney disease....how many times per week did you do fluid therapy when your cat was first diagnosed?

I found some excellent websites on the web which I've been referring to allot. Both Maxie & Fenway know something is not right and they keep smelling Cosmo & checking him out. But they're both excited that I've resorted to feeding Cosmo tuna because that means they get some too!

[jazzcat]

Ripley was diagnosed with kidney failure back in April. The vet said his values were what she would call mild to moderate failure. At that time he was very ill, wasn't eating much and had lost a lot of weight. The vet gave him one round of fluids and within days he improved greatly. Within a few weeks he was even begging for food and that continues on to this day. He may have even gained back a few ounces. He hasn't required any more fluids yet and the vet and I are thrilled with how well he has responded.

I know I'm not much help since Rip has only required sub-q fluids once. The vet has just told me to watch him closely because when the time comes for more Ripley will tell me.

[elizabethann]

Ripley was diagnosed with kidney failure back in April. The vet said his values were what she would call mild to moderate failure. At that time he was very ill, wasn't eating much and had lost a lot of weight. The vet gave him one round of fluids and within days he improved greatly. Within a few weeks he was even begging for food and that continues on to this day. He may have even gained back a few ounces. He hasn't required any more fluids yet and the vet and I are thrilled with how well he has responded.

I know I'm not much help since Rip has only required sub-q fluids once. The vet has just told me to watch him closely because when the time comes for more Ripley will tell me.

Actually, you were a lot of help. It's nice to read about other people's experiences. I appreciate it. I think Cosmo is beyond mild to moderate but I haven't given up on him yet. I used to get irritated when he begged for food. Now I can't wait until he does.

Thanks so much for replying with your experiences. And give a peck on Ripley's hairy cheek for me!

This is Cosmo by the way. Isn't he a cutie pie?

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/CosmoMaxie/IMG_0013.jpg

[Lizzie]

Question for the folks whose cats had kidney disease....how many times per week did you do fluid therapy when your cat was first diagnosed?


With Ted (a big boy) it was 200cc twice a day for a few days, then 150cc twice a day for another week, then 200cc once a day for about a month. His values were almost off the charts but the therapy helped enormously. He also had bladder stones for which he had surgery, kidney stones and calcification of the ureters, and one kidney simply became so tiny it was non-functional. So, he had a lot of strikes against him but he still lived for two and half years after the initial diagnosis, and they were very good years until the last week of his life.

Simka started out with 150cc every day, plus force feeding because she stopped eating completely. Within a few weeks her values were so close to normal that I gave them every three to four days depending on how well she appeared to be and how dehydrated. She also had cancer of the liver. Towards the end of her life, the renal failure really kicked in and she received 50cc of fluids twice a day. She was so tiny then that it was better for her to get small amounts frequently. She lived nearly 3 years past her diagnosis.

So, it's case by case and even then fluctuates with how well the cat is doing.

Edited to add that Cosmo is a gorgeous hunk!

[elizabethann]

With Ted (a big boy) it was 200cc twice a day for a few days, then 150cc twice a day for another week, then 200cc once a day for about a month. His values were almost off the charts but the therapy helped enormously. He also had bladder stones for which he had surgery, kidney stones and calcification of the ureters, and one kidney simply became so tiny it was non-functional. So, he had a lot of strikes against him but he still lived for two and half years after the initial diagnosis, and they were very good years until the last week of his life.

Simka started out with 150cc every day, plus force feeding because she stopped eating completely. Within a few weeks her values were so close to normal that I gave them every three to four days depending on how well she appeared to be and how dehydrated. She also had cancer of the liver. Towards the end of her life, the renal failure really kicked in and she received 50cc of fluids twice a day. She was so tiny then that it was better for her to get small amounts frequently. She lived nearly 3 years past her diagnosis.

So, it's case by case and even then fluctuates with how well the cat is doing.

Edited to add that Cosmo is a gorgeous hunk!

Wow! You are very dedicated to your kitties and must love them very much to give them all that care & attention. There's a spot in heaven just for you! What did you do when you went on vacation? Did you get a pet sitter to administer the fluids?

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

When we first put Tubby on fluids....it's been awhile, but I think it was 200 cc's a day. After about a week of that, the vet cut it down to 100 cc's every other day. Seems they need more at first, then taper off some like Jazzcat's Ripley. I found the hardest part about giving the fluids is keeping the cat still, especially once they start to feel better. At first I could "do" Tubby all by myself, no problem. Once he started feeling better he did NOT want to sit still. Once he jumped down right in the middle of it. The needle came out and fluids went flying all over the kitchen and I didn't know what to grab first, Tubby or the spewing needle! :rolleyes: :D After that I had Terry hold Tubby while I inserted the needle and held it in.

You will have to find a place to do it also. I found the kitchen table worked best - yes, the kitchen table. I laid a towel down and put Tubby on the towel. I hung the fluids from the chandelier above the table. That way they were high enough, but not too high.

Anyway, don't hesitate to ask questions once you start doing it yourself. There are plenty here who have gone through it.

[elizabethann]

When we first put Tubby on fluids....it's been awhile, but I think it was 200 cc's a day. After about a week of that, the vet cut it down to 100 cc's every other day. Seems they need more at first, then taper off some like Jazzcat's Ripley. I found the hardest part about giving the fluids is keeping the cat still, especially once they start to feel better. At first I could "do" Tubby all by myself, no problem. Once he started feeling better he did NOT want to sit still. Once he jumped down right in the middle of it. The needle came out and fluids went flying all over the kitchen and I didn't know what to grab first, Tubby or the spewing needle! :rolleyes: :D After that I had Terry hold Tubby while I inserted the needle and held it in.

You will have to find a place to do it also. I found the kitchen table worked best - yes, the kitchen table. I laid a towel down and put Tubby on the towel. I hung the fluids from the chandelier above the table. That way they were high enough, but not too high.

Anyway, don't hesitate to ask questions once you start doing it yourself. There are plenty here who have gone through it.

Thanks. Nice to know that they become wiggle worms again once they start to feel better. I'll be doing the fluid therapy by myself. I live alone and am currently single so it'll just be me. It will be very very interesting. So far I figure I will be doing it on the bedroom floor next to the closet. I can hang the fluid from the closet door hook and then give it to him on the floor. Plus, I can shut the bedroom door so that Maxie & Fenway don't wonder in and start sniffing around. Plus I don't want to poke them if the needle should come out.

[Lizzie]

Wow! You are very dedicated to your kitties and must love them very much to give them all that care & attention. There's a spot in heaven just for you! What did you do when you went on vacation? Did you get a pet sitter to administer the fluids?

That made me laugh, a little wryly I must admit. The only place I vacation is at home so there is never a problem with keeping up with therapies.

I had a very hard time with Simka at first and ended up taking her to the vet every evening so I could use their table and their "atmosphere" to quiet her down to the point where I could give her fluids. They know me well so let me do this free of charge. She bucked, reared, rolled, thrashed, and the needle came out lots of times. Eventually, she got used to it and I was able to do them at home and then the other two needed treatment and I was experienced enough to control them.

Like you plan to do, I used the bedroom with the door closed and hung the bag by the closet, but I put in a nail so I could hang the bag higher. You want to be able to see the marks on the bag so don't want it too high, but you want it high enough for the fluids to run in as fast as possible. Since it's only going under the skin, it doesn't matter how fast the fluids run in. Some techs will squeeze the bag to make it go fast but I found that impossible alone since I was holding the cat with one hand and adjusting the needle or valve with the other.

If the fluids don't run well, it's often because the slanted open part of the needle is sitting against fat or skin so you have to turn the needle slightly. To hold the cat, and everyone does it differently, I knelt on the floor with the cat between my knees, and my ankles locked so they can't back out. I scruff and lift the skin high between the shoulder blades so it's in a U shape and slide the needle into the middle of the U. This is the trickiest part because it's the time when you are using both hands and the time when the cat is most likely to react. If Cosmo reacts extremely badly to the needle, you may have to use a narrower gauge - I did with my Artful Dodger. The problem with that is the fluids run a lot more slowly.

If I did get a sudden loss of control of the cat during the time I was giving fluids and the needle came out, I put on a new needle and started again if it was 50cc or less and gave up for the day if it was more. The reason for that is that it's hard to put a needle into a bulge of fluids.

I'm sure you will get lots more advice, and I'm sure I will learn more from others who have gone through this also - because I know it will come up for me again, and any advice is useful.

[elizabethann]

Cosmo is back from the vets. He seems to be doing a little better. Though he is crying allot & is not too steady on his feet. Tomorrow & Saturday I will be giving him fluids by myself (350cc's). Then they said not to give him anymore and to watch him and see how he does. But I'm afraid to stop the fluids. What if I stop & he gets dehydrated again & stops eating? I think it would be cruel to do that to him. What do you think?

[jazzcat]

Cosmo is back from the vets. He seems to be doing a little better. Though he is crying allot & is not too steady on his feet. Tomorrow & Saturday I will be giving him fluids by myself (350cc's). Then they said not to give him anymore and to watch him and see how he does. But I'm afraid to stop the fluids. What if I stop & he gets dehydrated again & stops eating? I think it would be cruel to do that to him. What do you think?
I think you will know quickly if he needs more because he really should perk up with all that he's getting and you will see a decline when he needs more. The main thing I've been told is to watch them closely.

Cosmo is gorgeous!!!! Looks like a big loveable Maine Coon kitty.

[rg_girlca]

I am so sorry that your gorgeous boy Cosmo has kidney disease.

You have been given some great advice from others who have been through this with their own cats.

Prayers being sent out to Cosmo that he has many, many, MANY more years with you.

((((((HUGS)))))) for you.

[Barbara]

Filou is on fluids now since April 2005. He's doing very well.
He gets weekly fluids but of course the amount and frequency depends on the state of the kidneys- so it will be more often later :(

In the case of Cosmo it was kind of a kidney crisis, so they will start with IV fluids- as opposite to the Sub-q fluids that you can administer yourself.

Many kitties here have become better after such a crisis and I am sure Cosmo will have quite some happy time with you.

One thing about kidney transplant: If you transplant a kidney in humans then in many cases it is a donor who knows about it and has agreed. In the case of cats the kidney is taken from another kitty who has no chance to agree to anything.... I would never do that. It is a risky operation and it is not sure that my cat would live that much longer and with much better life quality. Filou is only ten years old and when he has to go it will break my heart- but I will not put two kitties under the stress of a kidney transplant.

[elizabethann]

Do or did any of you question whether it was right to keep giving your cat fluids? I'm sort of in a moral delimma and would like to hear your opinions on this subject.

I feel like I'm keeping Cosmo alive. But I'm starting to feel it's morally wrong and that I should put him to sleep. But then I see him and it breaks my heart - I don't want to lose him. I wonder if I'm being selfish by keeping him alive. He's doing "okay". He hasn't perked up too much. He's not running around like he used to. He's definetly a changed cat.

I'm just wondering if anybody felt or feels the same way as me.

:(

[Catty1]

I don't have experience with this - but in general, he has been at the vet's for two days, has had a lot of changes....just keep up the fluids, keep an eye on him, and give him lots of love! It may take several days for him to feel secure again.

Love makes a big difference. :)

[elizabethann]

I don't have experience with this - but in general, he has been at the vet's for two days, has had a lot of changes....just keep up the fluids, keep an eye on him, and give him lots of love! It may take several days for him to feel secure again.

Love makes a big difference. :)

Thanks for your encouraging & kind words. :)

Cosmo thanks you too.

[Killearn Kitties]

I don't have experience with giving sub-Q fluids, although I am following the thread and wishing you and Cosmo all the best.

My own feeling is that it is much to early to feel that you are keeping him alive unfairly. All the evidence on this thread points to the fact that cats can recover very well from this stage and have a good quality of life for quite some time afterwards. If I was in your position, I think I would give it a bit longer and just see how he gets on over the next few week.

Lots of luck to you both.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

My own feeling is that it is much to early to feel that you are keeping him alive unfairly. All the evidence on this thread points to the fact that cats can recover very well from this stage and have a good quality of life for quite some time afterwards. If I was in your position, I think I would give it a bit longer and just see how he gets on over the next few week.

Ditto.

Of course, this is a decision that only you can make because you are there and you know him and can "read" him better than we can. All we know is what you are telling us and what we have experienced. I suppose there are cats out there that didn't respond to the fluids, but from what I can tell, the majority of cats have recovered and lived full lives for several months or even years after the first initial infusion of fluids.

I believe that Cosmo will let you know when he's ready. He's been through a lot in the past few days and it's not surprising that it's taking him a little while to come around fully. If he were mine, I'd give him a little time yet.

[Lizzie]

I want to say "Please give Cosmo more time" but he's your cat and only you can decide. I've had five cats that have gone through this to varying degrees, two very mild and the other three chronic, and they were all pole-axed by it at first. When I was both force feeding and hydrating mine, I was often in tears and beating myself up about what I was putting them through. In each case, though, after a few weeks they started to be their old selves and within a month or so it was an established routine and simply a small part of their very good lives.

You have to give Cosmo time to adjust to being handled a lot in a way that he's not going to enjoy. All you can do, I think, is enrich the rest of his time with you. Give him extra attention before the fluids, and give him extra lap time afterwards. Make sure that you both feel that the disease and treatment is just a small part of his life and not the only aspect of it. Focus on some fun things you want to do with him.

Regarding the fluids, they didn't tell you to give 350 at one time?! Sub-q fluids can put a strain on a cat's heart and the max I ever gave at one time was 200cc, to a 15 pound and youngish cat with no heart problems. I always found that by 150cc, the cat is getting super restless and it was only that Ted's ran in fast that I could hold him for 200cc. It's 350cc over the course of the next three days? If they want you to do this and then stop, I'm sure they will want to do a blood re-test on him by the middle of next week. At least, that's what my always did since it's the only sure way to know what is going on. At this state, and given Cosmo's poor initial reading, I wouldn't go on just my observations.

[elizabethann]

Regarding the fluids, they didn't tell you to give 350 at one time?! Sub-q fluids can put a strain on a cat's heart and the max I ever gave at one time was 200cc, to a 15 pound and youngish cat with no heart problems. I always found that by 150cc, the cat is getting super restless and it was only that Ted's ran in fast that I could hold him for 200cc. It's 350cc over the course of the next three days? If they want you to do this and then stop, I'm sure they will want to do a blood re-test on him by the middle of next week. At least, that's what my always did since it's the only sure way to know what is going on. At this state, and given Cosmo's poor initial reading, I wouldn't go on just my observations.

Yes. The first time I brought him in and they showed me how to do it, they gave him 350 cc's. So they told me to do 350 cc's today and tomorrow. Then stop & see how he's doing. They didn't even tell me to call them or set up an appointment regarding blood work for next week. Now I'm really upset. Should I call them and ask them why I'm giving him so much? Or should I just do what I was told for the next 2 days? Kidney disease sucks. I wish cats & dogs lived forever.

:(

[Lizzie]

I did a little web cruising to find out more on amounts of fluids to give and blood tests. This site looks very good: http://www.felinecrf.com/ and is packed with information, including write-ins from vets. That site states that frequent blood tests are not a good idea, so it's an individual vet call I guess. I certainly didn't like it when they took blood two weeks running, but I went with the vet recommedation and it was okay. Few sites seem to mention amount of fluid, stating that it's case by case, but one said 100-150 which is what I was used to. However, another said that her cat had 300cc a day in his sickest early days, so another case by case call.

Are you with a vet that you know and trust? Have you always felt confidence in him/her? If so, then you need to follow their expert advice.

One more thing, and I really don't want to panic you but I do need to ask. Did your vet tell you to watch Cosmo for breathlessness while he was getting fluids? They can put pressure on the pleural cavity and make it a bit difficult for the cat to breathe easily. You will know right away because Cosmo's side will start moving in and out like bellows.

Cosmo's care can become a routine, but it is not easy. I absolutely hated and dreaded it, but then it became as routine as giving pills.

[elizabethann]

Thanks for the site. I've been using a TON of sites. Most are very helpful.

My vet never told me about breathlessness. It's not that I don't feel confident in my vet, it's that I feel like any other patient. I don't feel special and I don't feel they go out of the way to help me. I never have. I've been going to this guy for eons and always say to myself that I'm going to find another vet. But I never have. There aren't any vets in the town where I live. They also lost one vet so they're not open on Saturday's which I find very inconvenient. If I need a vet on Saturday, I have to go to the emergency vet in Manchester.

There are 2 Cat Doctors that I found in NH. They soley do cat's, no other kinds of animals. However, one's in Dover & the other is in Nashua. Both long rides for Cosmo. He HATES the car.

If worse comes to worse and I don't feel like they're giving Cosmo the attention they deserve, I will go to one of the Cat Doctor's.

My sister mentioned Tuft's in Boston. I may even check them out. I figure if Cosmo has to go for a ride, it may be one to the big city.

Thanks so much for your help! I REALLY appreciate it!

[Lizzie]

In your place, I would take Cosmo to one of the cat specialists for one assessment and conference with a true expert very soon. Ask your vet for Cosmo's record, especially his blood results, and tell him what you are doing. He should understand. I've done it with several of my cats for different things and my vet was completely understanding. Actually, the fact that you are seeking more expert opinion may jolt your vet out of his seeming lethargy. This visit will make you feel that you are doing everything you can for Cosmo, and will give you both reassurance and confidence to continue with his treatment. It's a very positive step which I know always makes me feel better.

Another poster mentioned kidney transplant and I remember wanting to do this very badly for both my Artful Dodger and Ted, but there was no way that I could afford it. I would have taken them to U.C. Davis, which is the closest veterinary transplant center to Seattle. There, they use cats from humane societies as donors, and the kidney recipient's guardian has to take the donor cat home with them, and take care of them for life. My vet told me that they do not remove the malfunctioning kidney from the cat but put the donor kidney in the chest cavity - that surprised me.

[Barbara]

Regarding Filou I think the fluids are not a lot of stress. And the life he is having is a fun life. Yesterday a moth came into our living room and he had a ball catching it (and eating it ;))
He is happy, cuddly, funny and sweet. I feel I'm doing the right thing for him. If you feel Cosmo doesn't enjoy his life- then you may question it. But on the other hand if he's happy- then he should get his fluids as long as they help him.

[elizabethann]

Well I gave Cosmo his fluids last night and about a 1/2 hour ago. Some of it ended up all over the rug because he would get mad & walk away. I close the door to the bedroom & do it in there. Maxie, my other cat scratches the door and wants to be let in. My dog Fenway just lays on the couch looking scared.

Cosmo has been peeing, but he still hasn't pooped. He eats very little. I've given him tuna and K/D moist. But he just nibbles at it. I wish he would eat more.

He sleeps in the corner of the living room and he when he's up he cries and cries. It's just so sad. For some reason he is very affectionate now. He NEVER was affectionate. He sits on my lap and when I go to bed, he lays down on the pillow next to me. He never sleeps on me or near me, he just lays there. And he just stares at me. It breaks my heart. I don't know if he's telling me that he's hurting and wants to go. Or if he just can't see that well anymore so he just stares at me wondering who I am.

The vet said to give him fluids for 2 days but I think I'm going to continue until Monday. Then I need to call the vet on Monday and ask about giving him fluids the rest of the week.

I'm supposed to be leaving for a 3 night trip on Thursday and I thought if I could get him on fluids, my sister won't be so worried to watch him. I'm still not sure if I'll be canceling my trip. I was really looking forward to it. But I'm not sure I would enjoy myself becuase I'll be worried about Cosmo. If I cancel, it will cost me big bucks - I'll lose a huge deposit. I wish I could bring Cosmo with me but I know he wouldn't like the car ride.

Thanks for the advice everybody. I'm sure this isn't the last you'll be hearing from me. Please keep Cosmo in your thoughts.

P.S. Quick question - when you give your cats fluids, is it normal for some of it to come out in the area where you stuck the needle?

[Lizzie]

It's normal for some fluid to leak out, there's sometimes a little blood in it also, especially when you give a large amount. It's hard to do when they want to rush away from you after the fluids, but putting a little pressure on the needle hole can help reduce the amount leaking back out.

I also found that my cats became more affectionate and I put it down to their realizing that they needed me, found comfort from me, and that the treatment, while they hated it, was a bond between us. If all goes according to plan, in about a month you will be glad that you did give Cosmo a chance to enjoy more years of life.

[elizabethann]

Cosmo pooped! I've never been so happy about seeing poop before! It was one little poop, but he pooped nontheless. He ate breakfast this morning too - very little. But at least he had something.

I bought some new kibble. It's called Innova Lite. It has 26% protein. I hope he likes it (Maxie too). I also bought some lite soft food - can't remember the name of it. But it has 8% protein. Cosmo hasn't been eating the K/D. I had a sample of Fromms and he ate that up. But it has 32% protein so I didn't think it would be good for him as his regular meal.

[Lizzie]

Congratulations on the poop! Isn't it a relief when you now their system if functioning as it should.

My vet has always told me that when a cat is very sick and not or barely eating, it's far more important to get them to eat than trying to give them what they should eat, that can be adjusted when they are enjoying their food again. I was really shocked when he told me that, but it's worked out for me.

[elizabethann]

Okay, so Cosmo doesn't like the Innova Light. He would rather eat the Fromms. I'll have to go & buy some. I also picked up some Fancy Feast. It's a new kind of Fancy Feast. And he ate it when I got home tonight (about 1 tablespoon). And he had some Fromms (about 5 pieces of kibble).

I bought a Fresh Flow water fountain for him too. You plug it in and the water goes through a filter and the water is fresher and more oxygenated. He seems to like it. And Maxie & Fenway do too.

I have to give him some fluids tonight as well as his pill. I don't want to disturb him. He's sleeping right now.

[elizabethann]

Cosmo is doing a whole lot better. He's been eating & eating! He keeps wanting me to feed him. Of course I do. I didn't give him any fluids on Monday but I gave him 100 cc's yesterday. I will the do the same today. I'm leaving to go up North on Friday and will be back Sunday. We originally were going to be gone Thursday too but I cancelled that. I think 3 nights may set him back (stress him out). I think he can handle 2 nights without me. My sister will be feeding him. However, she can only come once on Saturday so I will ask my neighbor to feed him Saturday night. We'll see.

Thanks for the advice & encouragment. I really thought I was going to have to put him to sleep and he'd be gone by now. But I think he has some fight left in him.

Thanks again!

[TopCat3]

Hello there
I don't get on here to post much at the moment, but I always check the pets pictures every day. Today I had a quick look at Cat Health and saw your post.

I remember how I felt a year ago when my Cleo was diagnosed with high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism and kidney disease. In a word, devastated.

A lot of confusion and questions and reading and crying. I sense that you went through something similar, just from reading your posts, I thought I could sense that reaction - forgive me if I'm being presumptious.

Cleo started medication for the high BP and hyperthyroidism, it was then that the extent of the kidney problem was unmasked, once these conditions were under control. That's quite common. Cleo was nearly 17 at that time.

During the summer (Christmas and just after, here in Australia) she was really off her food and lost weight. The heat and humidity of the Sydney summer really affected her. She was not on fluids then. She started fluids around February, I think it was, once a week at the vet. I was going through some legal wrangles at the time and just couldn't cope with the thought of doing it myself, I was just so wrung out with everything it was a relief to have someone take over anything for me. In hindsight I realise my stressed state affected Cleo. So what I guess I'm saying here, is the more relaxed and steady you can be, the more routine and calm your life is, I think it will really help Cosmo. I really think Cleo was distressed at MY distress over her and everything else that was happening at the time.

Giving the tablets became a routine. We have a special song we sing when it's time (well, I sing it!) and she takes them like a good girl, just the occasional spit when I don't get it right on the back of the tongue. She also has Chinese herbs and potassium supplement and now I am mixing in a little Green Lipped Mussel extract into the liquid potassium supplement for arthritic joints as she is a little stiff after resting. I just tip her head back and squirt in 2ml with a syringe and hold her head back till I hear her gulp. She knows what she has to do, and just gazes into my eyes the whole time, trustingly and lovingly.

I learned to do the fluids myself after all my dramas were past and I could mentally take it on board. It was very scarey at first but I did it at the vets several times then at home. Cleo went up to fluids twice weekly, now she has them three times weekly, about 100ml at a time. She is eating really well and even eats the kidney diet biscuits with gusto, now. She is not fond of the wet kidney diet, as are most cats apparently, it is just so boring and tasteless, the vet tells me.

We do the fluids together now with much ease and confidence. She sits still and afterwards I brush and comb her once or twice a week. I figure that apart from keeping her coat nice, the gentle brushing acts like dry skin brushing does on us, helping to remove toxins. Also it will help the lymphatic drainage which will also help remove toxins.

She felt the cold badly in winter and hugged the heater a lot. I made her a little polar fleece coat. She eats really well and has put on weight. Cleo will be 18 in December and everyone is amazed at how young she looks and how well she is.

Please, if I may say so, don't give up on Cosmo. Kidney disease is usually quite far advanced in cats before it is detected (I'm sure you know this now from reading all the websites) so at first they do feel wretched - and so do we and they pick up on that. Once stabilised and into a routine of fluids plus any medication they might need to address concurrent conditions (quite common), they seem to recover well and become much more their old selves. This year has been very precious as Cleo and I have become even closer than we were and she has found a deeper level of love and utter trust in me. We will both know when it is time. When she no longer can eat or drink or toilet or if she ceases to respond to fluids and is just miserable, I will give her the most loving gift of all, release from misery. I lover her too deeply to let her suffer.

This has been such a poignant time for me I have felt unable to share it until I sensed what I believed was despair and confusion as to the best course of action, in your post.

I do hope things are going well now for you and Cosmo and your other cat and dog have become supportive. My other cat, Colette, cuddles up to Cleo and helps to groom her - she teases her too and makes her run for a bit of exercise!

Take care and thank you for reading our story and thank you for posting so that I felt able at last to share the preciousness of this year since Cleo was diagnosed. Sorry if I've rattled on a bit, I am not renowned for brevity!!

Here is a picture of Cleo at her trip to the vet when she weighed in a little heavier, she's wearing the coat I made her.

Good luck.
TopCat

[elizabethann]

TopCat,

Thank you so much. Your post was so thoughtful and encouraging. I really appreciate it. It sounds like Cleo is loved very much. I so love the picture with her little fleece coat - beautiful! I've been closing the windows now that the nights get to 50/60 just because I know Cosmo (who used to love sitting in the window) gets chilled a bit more these days. He's actually doing so well. When people come over, they can't believe he has kidney disease. He is skinnier but other than that, you would never know he has this issue. I've been giving him his fluids about once per week or once everyother week. I will finish the bag of fluids I have and then watch him ever so closely. He eats like a pig and that's a good sign. I love him dearly and will make him comfortable and give him extra kisses & love.

Thanks again for your post. I wish you & Cleo the best (Colette too). :)