PT Prayers for Henry please *Update*

[CultureJunky]

Lucky Henry, to have two guardians to take care of him. I've had several cats live for years with this condition, even without going on a special diet - though I used subq fluids which helped enormously. However, I just lost my Nougat to CRF only weeks after she was diagnosed, which really shocked me after the others had lived so long. As you said, it can go either way. We will all hope for a good few extra years for Henry.

Has your vet suggested Epatikin? You sprinkle it on their food and it helps bind excess phosphorus. Will you give subq fluids?

I will ask if there are any meds to sprinkle on food, thanks for that suggestion. What exactly is subq fluids?
He did have metacam which was a fluid, on the leaflet that came with it it said it was for muscular-skeletal problems, however the vet told me to stop putting the drops on his food as this particular one wasn't good for cats with kidney problems.

The anti-biotics are called Amox and have penecillin in them, twice daily. He also has two weeks worth of Fortekor, once daily. The vet didn't explain what this was for, and it didn't come with a leaflet, just in an envelope.

[Lizzie]

Fortekor isn't available in the U.S. but an online search gave me this information:

"After oral administration, benazepril is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and hydrolysed to benazeprilat, a highly specific and potent inhibitor of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). Fortekor produces significant inhibition of plasma ACE activity for more than 24 hours after a single dose in cats and dogs.

Inhibition of ACE leads to reduced conversion of inactive angiotensin I into active angiotensin II and therefore reduction in the effects mediated by angiotensin II, including vasoconstriction of both arteries and veins, retention of sodium and water by the kidney and modeling changes (including pathological cardiac hypertrophy and degenerative renal changes).

In cats with chronic renal insufficiency Fortekor reduces the protein loss in urine and reduces systemic and intraglomerular blood pressure. Fortekor increases the appetite, quality of life and survival time of the cats, particularly in advanced disease."

Fortekor is flushed out of the system mainly through the GI tract, only a little through the kidneys, making it fine for use with CRF cats. However, I think Metacam needs to go through the kidneys and that would be why the vet won't want you to use it. I don't know if your vet will think Henry needs a potassium binder, it may not be something they use in the U.K.

Subq fluids is basically water with added electrolytes which is given just under the surface of the skin, and anyone can learn to do it at home. It flushes the kidneys and I've seen dramatic reductions in BUN and Creatinine levels in my cats after using subq fluid therapy even for only a few weeks. However, as with Epatikin, it may not be a treatment that they use in the U.K.

[3Catcondo]

Thoughts and prayers to Henry, that he can be healthy and pain free for a long time to come! Thank you for taking good care of him!

[cassiesmom]

prayers for sweet Henry

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry to hear this. I hope that Henry will remain as comfortable as possible. I'll keep him in my thoughts and prayers.

[weluvcats]

Kate,

I am so sorry to hear of your sweet Henry's troubles...Bless his sweet heart.
I hope that the antibiotics will help the problem with his teeth, however his kidney trouble poses a much more difficult problem. We lost our sweet Billy last summer to kidney failure, so I can understand and sympathize so with what you are going through now. We were able to give him sub-q fluids at home for a year before he died, which made it easier to treat him for a longer period of time...I wish your vet would agree to that...Would it be possible to find another vet that might agree to allowing you to treat him with fluids at home?

In the meantime, the best you can do is what you are doing...Love him bunches, and try to keep him as comfortable as possible for as long as possible. There will come a time though, when his kidney failure will progress to a point where you will likely have to make the "decision." I know what a horrendous situation this is to be faced with...When we were at the end with our Billy, we too hoped that he would just fall asleep and pass on that way, but it never happened.

You are such a loving, kind and compassionate person for looking after Henry...He is so lucky to have you. Bless you for all that you are doing for him. It is so difficult caring for a sick animal that you love, when there is only so much that you can do for them. Please know that all of us here at Pet Talk are thinking of you and sweet Henry, and are praying for you both.

Judy

[Medusa]

Please know that my prayers are w/you and Henry. I treated my RB Puddy w/subQ's for years due to her CRF, so I know the upset that you're experiencing. I do hope that Henry can remain as comfortable as possible and that you will find some peace of mind. Keep the faythe.

[Anikaca77]

Prays continued for Henry.

I'm glad he's home with you. Prays,

Melissa