Early Stage Kidney Failure in Monty??

[jennielynn1970]

Perhaps, in Monty's case, he was diagnosised early enough to work with his diet for now. You did not mention how old Monty is. You did a good job as his foster Mom and sounds like he is in good hands now!!! Prayers for Monty!!

The vet felt he was about 5yrs old. Too young.

I can email his new owner and mention the other food options as well. They said he didn't like what the vet gave them. Typical.

[kb2yjx]

Yes, 5 is too young, but Raven was only 4!!! Her kidney disease came about because of the HORRIBLE condition of her teeth!!!! She was rescued from a terrible home. You can read about her,Raven was COTD 12/9/04.

[Medusa]

If it's chronic renal failure, Monty could have lots of good, quality years left. Puddy has had CRF for over 5 years now and has even had one kidney removed and she doesn't even need subQ treatments any more. My RB Peeka had acute renal failure and that's totally different. It comes on fast and furious and usually by the time you see that something is wrong, it's too late. So...if it's chronic, then w/good vet care, proper diet (although Puddy has never eaten special food but then, that's Puddy) and maybe later down the line w/subQ treatments, there's no limit to how long Monty could live. Here's wishing Monty the best and lots of prayers going his way.

[jenluckenbach]

If it's chronic renal failure, Monty could have lots of good, quality years left. Puddy has had CRF for over 5 years now and has even had one kidney removed and she doesn't even need subQ treatments any more. My RB Peeka had acute renal failure and that's totally different. It comes on fast and furious and usually by the time you see that something is wrong, it's too late.

Does anyone know how they tell the difference??

[Medusa]

I noticed that Peeka had lost weight and she was always a chubbette. I watched her that night and noticed that she didn't move out of the spot where she had lain all day in the sun. So I called the vet, they took her right away and told me that they were almost positive it was renal failure. Peeka didn't respond to any treatment, none of it. She wouldn't eat, not even cooked chicken, her absolute favorite. She was on IV fluids and still could not get hydrated. Then her eyes and the inside of her ears turned yellow which meant jaundice and that meant her liver was shutting down, too. She stayed in the hospital for 5 straight days and didn't respond to any treatment whatsoever. When she cried every time I left after visiting and I asked if I brought her home, would it be painful for her to die naturally, I was told that it would be, so it broke my heart but I had her PTS. So I guess you can say that some of the signs are that a cat goes downhill rapidly and doesn't respond to treatment. I'm sure the vet tech who posts here (I think her screen ID is Catlady711 but I'm not sure) can give you more concrete things to look for.

[Freedom]

I purposely didn't mention that until someone else had posted with a good result. Thanks, Mary (Medusa).

Amber died 8 months after his initial diagnosis of kidney problems. It progressed VERY rapidly. He refused to eat ANY of the food the vet sent home. I could just hear him saying, "I KNOW you snuck meds in there somewhere and I'm NOT touching it!"

He peed all over the place from about 6 months before the diagnosis, right through to the end.

I wish Monty a long life!

[Catty1]

Found this online:

Treatment: Cats with severe chronic kidney failure will require hospitalization so that they may be treated with intravenous fluids, nutritional support, and medications. Less severe manifestations of the disease may be managed at home with medications and dietary changes.

The veterinarian may recommend certain commercial cat foods, available only through prescription, that are reduced in protein, phosphorus and sodium -- and should therefore reduce the work load for the kidneys. Other medications are prescribed to control symptoms of kidney failure such as nausea, inappetence, mineral and electrolyte imbalances, hormone deficiencies, and high blood pressure. It is important that fresh water be available at all times to cats with the disease.

The veterinarian may instruct the owner how to administer supplemental fluids under the skin, called subcutaneous fluid therapy. This method usually is recommended for cats with moderate to severe forms of chronic kidney failure. Re-examinations to monitor the disease are recommended on a regular basis. The number of visits will depend on the severity of the cat's disease and its response to treatment.