***Cosmo Has Kidney Disease ***

[jazzcat]

Cosmo is back from the vets. He seems to be doing a little better. Though he is crying allot & is not too steady on his feet. Tomorrow & Saturday I will be giving him fluids by myself (350cc's). Then they said not to give him anymore and to watch him and see how he does. But I'm afraid to stop the fluids. What if I stop & he gets dehydrated again & stops eating? I think it would be cruel to do that to him. What do you think?

I think you will know quickly if he needs more because he really should perk up with all that he's getting and you will see a decline when he needs more. The main thing I've been told is to watch them closely.

Cosmo is gorgeous!!!! Looks like a big loveable Maine Coon kitty.

[rg_girlca]

I am so sorry that your gorgeous boy Cosmo has kidney disease.

You have been given some great advice from others who have been through this with their own cats.

Prayers being sent out to Cosmo that he has many, many, MANY more years with you.

((((((HUGS)))))) for you.

[Barbara]

Filou is on fluids now since April 2005. He's doing very well.
He gets weekly fluids but of course the amount and frequency depends on the state of the kidneys- so it will be more often later

In the case of Cosmo it was kind of a kidney crisis, so they will start with IV fluids- as opposite to the Sub-q fluids that you can administer yourself.

Many kitties here have become better after such a crisis and I am sure Cosmo will have quite some happy time with you.

One thing about kidney transplant: If you transplant a kidney in humans then in many cases it is a donor who knows about it and has agreed. In the case of cats the kidney is taken from another kitty who has no chance to agree to anything.... I would never do that. It is a risky operation and it is not sure that my cat would live that much longer and with much better life quality. Filou is only ten years old and when he has to go it will break my heart- but I will not put two kitties under the stress of a kidney transplant.

[elizabethann]

Do or did any of you question whether it was right to keep giving your cat fluids? I'm sort of in a moral delimma and would like to hear your opinions on this subject.

I feel like I'm keeping Cosmo alive. But I'm starting to feel it's morally wrong and that I should put him to sleep. But then I see him and it breaks my heart - I don't want to lose him. I wonder if I'm being selfish by keeping him alive. He's doing "okay". He hasn't perked up too much. He's not running around like he used to. He's definetly a changed cat.

I'm just wondering if anybody felt or feels the same way as me.

[Catty1]

I don't have experience with this - but in general, he has been at the vet's for two days, has had a lot of changes....just keep up the fluids, keep an eye on him, and give him lots of love! It may take several days for him to feel secure again.

Love makes a big difference.

[elizabethann]

I don't have experience with this - but in general, he has been at the vet's for two days, has had a lot of changes....just keep up the fluids, keep an eye on him, and give him lots of love! It may take several days for him to feel secure again.

Love makes a big difference.

Thanks for your encouraging & kind words.

Cosmo thanks you too.

[Killearn Kitties]

I don't have experience with giving sub-Q fluids, although I am following the thread and wishing you and Cosmo all the best.

My own feeling is that it is much to early to feel that you are keeping him alive unfairly. All the evidence on this thread points to the fact that cats can recover very well from this stage and have a good quality of life for quite some time afterwards. If I was in your position, I think I would give it a bit longer and just see how he gets on over the next few week.

Lots of luck to you both.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

My own feeling is that it is much to early to feel that you are keeping him alive unfairly. All the evidence on this thread points to the fact that cats can recover very well from this stage and have a good quality of life for quite some time afterwards. If I was in your position, I think I would give it a bit longer and just see how he gets on over the next few week.

Ditto.

Of course, this is a decision that only you can make because you are there and you know him and can "read" him better than we can. All we know is what you are telling us and what we have experienced. I suppose there are cats out there that didn't respond to the fluids, but from what I can tell, the majority of cats have recovered and lived full lives for several months or even years after the first initial infusion of fluids.

I believe that Cosmo will let you know when he's ready. He's been through a lot in the past few days and it's not surprising that it's taking him a little while to come around fully. If he were mine, I'd give him a little time yet.