Bless you for deciding to let Zelda live with this disease - many have not... My Beyli lived five happy years after diagnosis - I say happy because the only change in his life was to take medication and have fluids from time to time. It is not torturing them, it's loving them. He was such a trouper when I gave him his fluids and would jump down and have a snack afterwards and then come for a thank you cuddle. He got Fortekor (Benazapril) daily to help with common blood pressure issues that often come with CRF, and some Famotidine to deal with acid (got rid of the cramping and lessened the vomiting). I also raised his food bowl to cut down on acid forming in his throat - this way the food has an easier direct route to the tummy (I use the plastic baby wipe containers - perfect height). He got VERY little dry food after diagnosis because it worsens dehydration and also gives cramps since cats have pointy teeth and can only snap their food so they swallow it practically whole. With so many good quality canned foods on the market it really helped him and was more nourishing (given they are also carnivores) - Wellness and Natural Balance were his faves (Turkey). I wish all of you success in treating your beloved kitties who have this disease. My Caramel has Thyroid issues and slight kidney issues but at least I'm not as terrified - we'll deal with it together. A great CRF website is felinecrf dot org by the way - it is the best resource online as far as I'm concerned and has a wonderful Yahoo group too.
Please have your pets sterilized as soon as possible to lower, and one day hopefully eliminate, unwanted and abandoned pets. It IS our responsibility. Adopting from a shelter also helps - encouraging breeders just adds to the overpopulation.
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