My old Ash has kidney failure...advice plse..

**Medusa** · 07-17-2008, 05:08 PM

I could swear that I already posted about this but since I've been w/out a computer for a few days, I'm not sure where my head is. I'm sorry to hear about Ash but renal failure can be managed for quite a long time. My Puddy is in CRF and I've been giving her subQ's for a couple of years now and she just keeps going like the Energizer bunny. She's also operating on one kidney and that kidney has nephritis but the subQ's help immensely. I keep a supply of Clindamycin on hand because she's prone to bladder infections and the sooner that's gotten under control, the better. She's on KD canned, which she loves most of the time and other times she'll turn up her nose but that's a cat for ya. Did your vet tell you that Ash needs subQ's? If so, it's really easy to do it yourself. It saves money but, more importantly, it saves stress on Ash because the subQ will go more smoothly seeing that Mom is the one who will be sticking in the needle. Also, Puddy is on aluminum hydroxide gel which is a phosphorous binder and it also acts as an antacid, which is helpful in CRF cats. If there is anything that you need to ask, Carole, please feel free to PM me. Puddy and I are w/ya!

**carole** · 07-17-2008, 05:47 PM

Thank you all for your kind words and advice.

I have decided to keep Ash on the wet food with some biscuits for his teeth,ideally special food would be great i guess, but i have to pay for his pills every month, the vet advised me that the pills were a better option for him., i simply cannot afford to do both,it is a struggle even for the pills, but i have decided there are some things in life i can do without and that is what i am going to do,no big hardship, i can give up something i love for my cat who i love even more.

As for Sub Q's i am absolutely terrified of the thought of having to do that, i don't know that i can, the vet never mentioned it to me, i think i will take him to the vets if absolutely necessary, i am hoping the pills will help him alot, they are for his heart condition and renal failure.

We still need to get a urine sample done, to check the values again as when they were originally done he had been hydrated, so that can make a difference, hoping they come back better than the original.

I am just a bit gutted, even though Ash is turning 13 this year, he is still not that old, of course he could be older or younger as it is guess work, we adopted him as a stray when he was around five years old , the vet guessed his age by his teeth i think, if i remember rightly, so one never knows for sure how old my boy is, but he certainly is not a young cat that's for sure.

**Medusa** · 07-17-2008, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by carole

As for Sub Q's i am absolutely terrified of the thought of having to do that, i don't know that i can, the vet never mentioned it to me, i think i will take him to the vets if absolutely necessary, i am hoping the pills will help him alot, they are for his heart condition and renal failure.

I know, I said the same thing but, after a few tries, I mastered it and now I do it w/out even thinking about it. It can be expensive if you have to take Ash to the vet for them because, given that he has only 25% kidney function, he may need them quite often. Puddy needed them twice a day in the beginning, then daily, now she's on them every other day. My vet was charging $10 a visit and that was cheap. My other vet, a specialist, would've charged a lot more. This way, I pay $10 a bag, plus the cost of lines and needles, and the bag lasts for 6 treatments. It definitely saves money. Talk to your vet and see what s/he says and I'm sure s/he'll be happy to show you how to do it. Have no fear. It's easy.

**kb2yjx** · 07-17-2008, 07:29 PM

Please do not fear the sub q's, if in time that is what needs to be done. I taught my husband how to do them!!! However, all the cats that Barry could do, have gone to the Bridge. The current ones, Norrton and Raven, are a bit difficult and he leaves them to me.

Regarding diet. I have come to the understanding, that if the cat refuses to eat the
" kidney " diet, then the diet does no good. Right now, I have one kidney cat on I/D(also have liver problems), and the other, absolutley REFUSES to eat the K/D, so is eating Pet Promise Chicken, and loving it!!! Our Molly Meu ate Friskies for years, before she decided to stop, and then ate Fancy Feast!!!

There is a nice site, Tanya's Feline CRF Information Centre. It is site that is run by a woman who has dealt with kidney disease in 2 of her cats. The section on nutrition is excellent!!!

GOOD LUCK, and prayers for your Ash....

**momcat** · 07-17-2008, 07:54 PM

I'm very sad to hear that your sweet Ash is not well. I'm sorry but all I can offer both of you is many, many prayers. Could I ask you to give Ash some gentle feel better lovies from me? And [[[[[HUGS]]]]] for you