***Cosmo Has Kidney Disease ***

[Lizzie]

Don't worry too much, the results often look dreadful at first but can be brought down to reasonable levels with sufficient sub-q therapy. I had three cats with kidney disease that were brought back to decent levels, and they were so sick initially that they had to be force fed for a week or two. They all lived for 2+ years after the initial diagnosis and all had other health issues.

Good luck with Cosmo.

[Miss Z]

Kidney disease is very common in cats and when it is first diagnosed, I know how much worry and torment is administered to you. But do not worry, because it is easily managed, through the diet and just general routine, do not give up on him yet! Along with his diet, make sure he has plenty of water available at all times, as he's likely to drink more which helps flush out his kidneys. Cats can live with kidney disease for many years, my RB cat Brando lived with it for 8 years, living a perfectly happy life until his last month. ((hugs)) to you and Cosmo and I hope everything works out for the best.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Kidney disease in cats is not a death sentence. Barbara's Filou has been on fluids for at least a year now, if not longer. Jazzcat's Ripley was very close to death at one point, and fluids and loving care brought him back and he's doing quite well these days. Fluids and potassium supplements made a HUGE difference in Tubby. Unfortunately it was the failing of the rest of Tubby's body that finally did him in, not his kidneys. Catsnclay's Fluffy is currently being administered fluids on a regular basis.

I'm sure there are many more here on PT that have either experienced this in the past or are experiencing it right now, so hang in there. There's a very good chance Cosmo will still be around for many years to come.

[kb2yjx]

O please do not beat up yourself!!! Older cats do get kidney disease, and it doesn't matter that you were gone or you could not give Cosmo a fenced in yard!!! What matters is the love and care that you have given Cosmo and that you will continue to give him!!! I gave Miss BooBoo Kitty sub q fluids for just over 4 years and the vet said that is what helped her the most!!! Boo did not care for the k/d or the other renal diet, but she did eat them. Love is what Cosmo needs and you will give him plenty of that !!! Take Care...

[elizabethann]

Cosmo is doing somewhat better now. He wouldn't eat the K/D canned food so I opened up a can of tuna and he ate some of that TWICE last night. And he ate some again this morning plus he ate some of the K/D kibble. He is at the vets again today (he was there yesterday) getting his fluid therapy. I will talk to the vet tonight & start doing the fluid therapy myself. They said they may give him some Purina Kidney food today. If he likes it, I will buy him some.

Question for the folks whose cats had kidney disease....how many times per week did you do fluid therapy when your cat was first diagnosed?

I found some excellent websites on the web which I've been referring to allot. Both Maxie & Fenway know something is not right and they keep smelling Cosmo & checking him out. But they're both excited that I've resorted to feeding Cosmo tuna because that means they get some too!

[jazzcat]

Ripley was diagnosed with kidney failure back in April. The vet said his values were what she would call mild to moderate failure. At that time he was very ill, wasn't eating much and had lost a lot of weight. The vet gave him one round of fluids and within days he improved greatly. Within a few weeks he was even begging for food and that continues on to this day. He may have even gained back a few ounces. He hasn't required any more fluids yet and the vet and I are thrilled with how well he has responded.

I know I'm not much help since Rip has only required sub-q fluids once. The vet has just told me to watch him closely because when the time comes for more Ripley will tell me.

[elizabethann]

Ripley was diagnosed with kidney failure back in April. The vet said his values were what she would call mild to moderate failure. At that time he was very ill, wasn't eating much and had lost a lot of weight. The vet gave him one round of fluids and within days he improved greatly. Within a few weeks he was even begging for food and that continues on to this day. He may have even gained back a few ounces. He hasn't required any more fluids yet and the vet and I are thrilled with how well he has responded.

I know I'm not much help since Rip has only required sub-q fluids once. The vet has just told me to watch him closely because when the time comes for more Ripley will tell me.

Actually, you were a lot of help. It's nice to read about other people's experiences. I appreciate it. I think Cosmo is beyond mild to moderate but I haven't given up on him yet. I used to get irritated when he begged for food. Now I can't wait until he does.

Thanks so much for replying with your experiences. And give a peck on Ripley's hairy cheek for me!

This is Cosmo by the way. Isn't he a cutie pie?

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

When we first put Tubby on fluids....it's been awhile, but I think it was 200 cc's a day. After about a week of that, the vet cut it down to 100 cc's every other day. Seems they need more at first, then taper off some like Jazzcat's Ripley. I found the hardest part about giving the fluids is keeping the cat still, especially once they start to feel better. At first I could "do" Tubby all by myself, no problem. Once he started feeling better he did NOT want to sit still. Once he jumped down right in the middle of it. The needle came out and fluids went flying all over the kitchen and I didn't know what to grab first, Tubby or the spewing needle! After that I had Terry hold Tubby while I inserted the needle and held it in.

You will have to find a place to do it also. I found the kitchen table worked best - yes, the kitchen table. I laid a towel down and put Tubby on the towel. I hung the fluids from the chandelier above the table. That way they were high enough, but not too high.

Anyway, don't hesitate to ask questions once you start doing it yourself. There are plenty here who have gone through it.

[Lizzie]

Question for the folks whose cats had kidney disease....how many times per week did you do fluid therapy when your cat was first diagnosed?

With Ted (a big boy) it was 200cc twice a day for a few days, then 150cc twice a day for another week, then 200cc once a day for about a month. His values were almost off the charts but the therapy helped enormously. He also had bladder stones for which he had surgery, kidney stones and calcification of the ureters, and one kidney simply became so tiny it was non-functional. So, he had a lot of strikes against him but he still lived for two and half years after the initial diagnosis, and they were very good years until the last week of his life.

Simka started out with 150cc every day, plus force feeding because she stopped eating completely. Within a few weeks her values were so close to normal that I gave them every three to four days depending on how well she appeared to be and how dehydrated. She also had cancer of the liver. Towards the end of her life, the renal failure really kicked in and she received 50cc of fluids twice a day. She was so tiny then that it was better for her to get small amounts frequently. She lived nearly 3 years past her diagnosis.

So, it's case by case and even then fluctuates with how well the cat is doing.

Edited to add that Cosmo is a gorgeous hunk!

[elizabethann]

With Ted (a big boy) it was 200cc twice a day for a few days, then 150cc twice a day for another week, then 200cc once a day for about a month. His values were almost off the charts but the therapy helped enormously. He also had bladder stones for which he had surgery, kidney stones and calcification of the ureters, and one kidney simply became so tiny it was non-functional. So, he had a lot of strikes against him but he still lived for two and half years after the initial diagnosis, and they were very good years until the last week of his life.

Simka started out with 150cc every day, plus force feeding because she stopped eating completely. Within a few weeks her values were so close to normal that I gave them every three to four days depending on how well she appeared to be and how dehydrated. She also had cancer of the liver. Towards the end of her life, the renal failure really kicked in and she received 50cc of fluids twice a day. She was so tiny then that it was better for her to get small amounts frequently. She lived nearly 3 years past her diagnosis.

So, it's case by case and even then fluctuates with how well the cat is doing.

Edited to add that Cosmo is a gorgeous hunk!

Wow! You are very dedicated to your kitties and must love them very much to give them all that care & attention. There's a spot in heaven just for you! What did you do when you went on vacation? Did you get a pet sitter to administer the fluids?