My kitty just diagnosed w/ CRF - need advice & prayers

[Freedom]

My Mr. Amber Cat developed this when he was 8 years of age. Amber was also on sub q fluids. I did them here at home myself. I used a loop of sturdy string, over the hinge of a kitchen cabinet, and an S hook. That stayed in place. Time for the treatment, I'd hang the fluid bag from the S hook, and he was up on the counter top, a nice reach for me.

Amber had undiagnosed over active thyroid for some time, which lead to the kidney failure. So he was quite far along in the illnesses. We started the fluids at every other day; by the end of 6 months he was at 3 times per day. When he needed it 4 times per day, he was not happy in between treatments any longer it was just too much and I let him go to RB. It was very difficult, my first cat.

Earlier in the process, in between gtreatments he was his usual self.

I think he did have steroid pills too; hard to remember, he's been gone 8 years now.

Prayers from RI for you and your Blackie.

[Ladybug70]

Blackie has gotten some of his pep back in the last 15-16 hours! Last night and this morning he has shown signs of the lovable, sassy cat we know. Purring, "chirping", vigorous use of the scratching post, and enthusiastically "patrolling" our patio during his daily "outdoor time" (what he lives for).

And jackpot on the food situation! I found what Blackie will eat right now... baby food (per vet's recommendation)! Between last night and this morning, he's eaten a small jar. He licked the plate clean! I agree that if they won't eat the special diet food then you have to find what they will eat (he turns up his nose at the K/D kibble and soft food right now). So we gotta get that energy up! Vet also gave me the kitty version of "pedialite" yesterday... a powder to put in his water to help him get some nutrients.

My stomach is in knots as we'll get the results of his 3rd blood test today from the vet. Blackie went to the vet yesterday for his 4th daily Sub-Q and got more blood drawn. We're hoping that the creatinine and BUN numbers have stabilized.

Please keep your fingers and paws crossed for us!! I'm trying not to get too excited about the latest improvements as I know this will be a rollercoaster ride. I'm just so happy to see that little "spark" in his eyes again. I'll give you an update later today. Thanks again for all the great information and kitty prayers you've provided so far... our family is soooo grateful.

Purrs,
Lisa

[Medusa]

Hey, that's great news! My Puddy was on baby food for a while, too. As my vet said and you just concurred, if they won't eat the special diet food, it won't do any good, now will it? Here's praying that Blackie continues to improve. Keep the faythe.

[kb2yjx]

Lisa, Baby Food is used at our house, too!!! It is the ULTIMATE bribe food and they LOVE it!!! To get them off it, I have mixed the baby food with the food they are to eat. It was good to read the Blackie licked the plate clean!!!! Sandra

[Ladybug70]

So we got some mixed news yesterday from the vet. Blood results show that his creatinine and BUN are still WAY too high... but the numbers have stabilized and the creatinine has actually dropped ever so slightly (creatinine went from 11.4 to 9.7, BUN is still 156 - ouch!). Not the best news but Blackie is still showing signs of increased energy and an interest in eating. He's loving the baby food. I also got him some kitten milk that he seems to like and some alaskan salmon fancy feast "appetizers" (LOL)... but they are juicy and moist and he makes an attempt to eat a small portion (or at least lick up all the gravy). I just try to put something under his nose every 2 hours. The best news of all is that he hasn't vomited since Thursday morning!

We took him in to the vet yesterday for another fluid treatment (5th day in a row) and the doctor commented that Blackie looked like he felt a bit better. Since he won't get any fluids over the weekend, we're watching him carefully and still encouraging eating/drinking. We've let him out on our patio and he's loving it... even tried to escape over our patio wall (I don't blame him after all he's been through this week). We also got out the laser toy for some mild playing and he really perked up! Just trying to keep him stimulated and happy.

Please keep kitty prayers going over the weekend as he won't get sub-Qs until Monday. So far so good.

Thanks again for all your comments, suggestions and well wishes!

Purrs,
Lisa

[Medusa]

Do you think you're now in a place where you can give Blackie the subQ treatments yourself? His creatinine is still very high and the fluids might make a difference. After my Puddy had a treatment, she always perked up and when she was at her worst, I was aggressive w/the treatments and administered them sometimes twice a day. Whatever you decide, I'm glad that Blackie is showing signs of improvement no matter what his levels are. Keep it up, buddy!

[kb2yjx]

Paws and hands folded in prayer that your boy continues to EAT and have a good weekend!! I attached a photo of Miss BooBoo Kitty getting her sub q fluids with her private duty nurse, Nicholas, watching. Boo went to the Bridge at the age of 16 in 2004 and Nicholas in 2007, Boo was the first of my 9 kidney cats. She was a patient and kind teacher. I can never thank her enough!! Sandra

[Momto4FemaleFelines]

LadyBug70, I hope your kitty will do well even with the CRF.

I think there is a Yahoo support group for CRF kitties. I have an on-line friend who helped her cat, who was 15 when diagnosed with CRF, live 3 decent quality years despite the diagnosis. She used special diet and meds, then started SubQ fluids for the last year or so.

[Ladybug70]

Hi all-

Just wanted to give an updated on our sweet Blackie. It's now been 3 weeks since he was diagnosed with CRF. We've been doing aggressive fluid therapy at the vet clinic but tapered back to 3x/week last week and this week.

We had another blood test this past Monday and since Blackie's overall behavior/symptoms have greatly improved over past 2 weeks, we were hopeful for better numbers. Unfortunately, the results are worse. His BUN, creatinine, potassium and phosphorus numbers are alarmingly high. So it's really amazing to see Blackie doing so well considering the numbers! He is alert, eating, washing himself, playing, cuddling, etc. and no vomiting in 2 weeks!

Given Blackie's strong will to fight the odds, our vet is recommending we ignore the blood results going forward and just continue with sub-Qs until Blackie tells us otherwise. The vet feels sub-Qs 2-3x/week should keep him stable for now. The vet is very supportive of us doing the sub-Qs on our own.

So, we are now taking the step to now learn how to do sub-Qs ourselves. The vet and his wonderful staff gave me my first lesson with Blackie at the clinic yesterday. I watched carefully... fortunately, Blackie seems to be an excellent patient and just sits quietly (with his head tucked into my stomach). Even the staff commented at how good he always is. Tomorrow, my fiancee will join me and we'll get another sub-Q lesson. This time I'll be handling the needle with the vet's supervision.

Wish me luck!

Thanks for everyone's support and encouragement. I'm sure I'll need more of it once we start doing this at home... but just trying to take it a day at a time and not get too stressed about it.

Purrs,
Lisa

[kb2yjx]

You will be a pro in no time giving sub q, especially if Blackie is a good as you say!!!!!!!!