topic Re: Kidney Disease in Cats and Fluids in Pet Lovers

Kidney Disease in Cats and Fluids

HollyChase — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 18:41:16 GMT

Hello,

I was curious if anyone had a cat with kidney disease that required daily IV fluids (or semi regular daily IVs). The reason I ask is my 15 year old girl, has been on a daily IV fluid regimen for just over a year. So far, so good. But the vet did say weigh her once a week, so bought a baby scale and have been keeping track of her weight. The vet also said that would be the best indication if everything is going OK. She did reach her optimum weight about 2 months ago. But in the last month, she has lost just under a pound. Her last blood work about 1.5 months ago, showed progression and he said to have a new set of panels taken in 2 months.

Has anyone gone through this? I know eventually her kidneys will not respond, but would love to hear how long other's cat survived on daily IVs? I also give her potassium, prescribed by the vet, daily. As I said, she is doing well. She is eating her KD food, and still playing but just curious has anyone else gone through this and what was their experience.

Re: Kidney Disease in Cats and Fluids

author — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 18:58:20 GMT

It sounds as if you are doing exactly the right things and she has responded so well! Evidence of her feeling ok is the good appetite, no serious weight loss or weakness, and her playful nature, all good.

We had a cat with the same thing and we did the same things you are. She was diagnosed at 17 when she suddenly became quite ill. We did daily fluids, potassium, KD food, and lots of love and attention.

It got to be such a nice routine that she purred when we gave her the warmed IV fluids every night, so sweet. She lived to be 20, but I imagine if we had begun this when she was younger she might still have lived to 20, so your cat probably has some good years ahead.

Best of luck with her; I know how precious they are to us.

Re: Kidney Disease in Cats and Fluids

mariadomenica — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 20:21:52 GMT

Here is my experience with kidney disease in my cat..Marley will be 11 in March..He is goin on 3 years with kidney disease...also called "chronic renal failure"... I was devasted with this news....I found him on the highway when he was ony 10 months old. He has been an indoor cat only. The vet said perhaps something damged his kidneys prior to me "saving" him...He is doing well. His creatinine has been fairly stable and holding at Stage 2 ...early..however he has gone from1.6 to now 1.8..his BUN has increaded from 7 to 19. Still good values after 3 years. He has no signs of anemia, he eats very well...there is no signs of diabetes....no nausea.... He is a big cat weighing in at 12.5 pounds....His treatment has been 80cc of Ringer Lactate subcutaneous (under skin nape of neck) twice a week..however with the slight increase in creatinine..and BUN vet suggested 3 X weekly is good...I am an RN for people...but this kills me.....however I would do anything for my pets..I love my Marley so much...

I Forgot to add that he eats RC E formula wet food and E dry High Fiber response due to fact he also has an ideopathic high calcium level..this high fiber keeps that in check..He was on KD but being a younger cat the vert felt he would muscle waste too soon. YES thank you for seeing the beauty is this BLACK MINK BEAUTY.....How someone just tossed him out to die as a young kitty was pure eveil...but he was saved...and now he saves me...every single day..!!!

Re: Kidney Disease in Cats and Fluids

Sooner — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 19:56:18 GMT

All depends on the cat and for one beloved cat we had, we decided it would not give him the good quality of life he was used to. I have never regretted the decision.

Re: Kidney Disease in Cats and Fluids

geezerette — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 19:57:42 GMT

@mariadomenica

Marley is a very handsome kitty! 😻

Re: Kidney Disease in Cats and Fluids

Bookplate — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 20:04:25 GMT

We started our last cat on daily fluids when he was 16, and he died when he was 20. He was also on the KD diet of course, with regular vet check-ups, but we didn't do the weekly weighing. That does sound like a good indicator of health.

Re: Kidney Disease in Cats and Fluids

mariadomenica — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 20:10:28 GMT

Thank you !!!!!

Re: Kidney Disease in Cats and Fluids

moonandthestars — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 20:45:02 GMT

@HollyChase It's been quite some time since I had my kitty with kidney failure. He was hyperthyroid for some time and diagnosed with kidney failure at a very late stage. Apparently this was not something his vet was checking for . His numbers were extremely high at diagnosis, but even at that he survived 2 years. He was on fluids 2x a day, every day. That was from the start. He also would not eat k/d so we found other foods that met the critera to be healthy for him.

It sounds as if you are doing a great job with your kitty. I'm not sure what blood values your vet runs regularly, but I would recommended looking very closely at phosphorus As a preventative, you may want to consider putting kitty on phosphorus blockers. Definitely something to discuss with your vet. Also, hopefully his blood counts are being monitored regularly. Important not to allow kitty to become anemic. Prevention wise you might discuss with your vet giving kitty b vitamins and / or something else the vet might recommend.

Has your kitty been eating the same amount of food? Maybe the vet could recommend some higher calorie foods for you give kitty, to supplement or in addition to the kd.

There was a website that was very helpful to us at the time. I'll find it and post for you later. It's an information website for feline kidney failure also a chat message board wihere you can post and ask questions.

Re: Kidney Disease in Cats and Fluids

HollyChase — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 21:22:12 GMT

Thank you everyone for the kind words and advice. All of your stories were very encouraging, which this mom needed. I agree @mariadomenica, I don't understand people at all for their disregards towards animals.

Re: Kidney Disease in Cats and Fluids

moonandthestars — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 21:46:12 GMT

@HollyChase I googled the website. Is this a web link that I'm allowed to post? Hate to have things poofed. If you google: Tanya's comprehensive guide to feline chronic kidney failure you should easily find it. I found it to be an amazing resource. There's also a separate link listed for a support group.

I also want to mention again to please make sure the vet is monitoring/controlling phosphorus levels and blood counts. I think too, to also see what the vet would approve of another food to add into the k/d mix. One of the many things I learned is how important it was to stay ahead of potential issues.

Re: Kidney Disease in Cats and Fluids

Another new name Sue — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 22:41:13 GMT

We did this for our cat, but I think she was sicker than yours as she would barely eat and was extremely thin. We set up a pet heating pad in a basket on the sofa, and she spent most of her days there. I think she lived several months this way, I can't remember exactly how long..

By the way, it's not "IV" fluids, it's "subcutaneous" fluids unless you really are doing intravenous.

Good luck with your kitty. Sounds like she is doing well if she's eating and playing. It's a labor of love to do this for your dear pet. Best wishes for her to survive quite some time ahead.

Re: Kidney Disease in Cats and Fluids

BlueFinch — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 00:35:14 GMT

@mariadomenica Being velvet black, with those hypnotically gorgeous eyes, Marley could wrap any cat lover around his little paws.

Seems it was meant to be for you two to find one another. Maybe a little Marley magic. He looks like he could cast a spell :-).

I hope with all your tender, loving care, that Marley will be with you for years to come. Enjoy every day you have to the fullest.

Re: Kidney Disease in Cats and Fluids

author — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 01:03:24 GMT

@mariadomenica He is such a BEAUTY! Congratulations on your work to keep him so healthy. It is all SO worth it!

Re: Kidney Disease in Cats and Fluids

mariadomenica — Sun, 25 Sep 2022 18:06:51 GMT

Oh Gosh...Thank you so much for your kind words...Yes he melts me every day....He is like mink !! I couldn't do it without the guidance from Tufts Animal Hospital in Grafton Massachusetts.......Thank you SO MUCH !!

Re: Kidney Disease in Cats and Fluids

mariadomenica — Sun, 25 Sep 2022 18:08:21 GMT

A million warm wonderful THANK YOU"S !!! from Marley and I !!! It means so much !!

Re: Kidney Disease in Cats and Fluids

Catty2 — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 00:21:15 GMT

Years ago, the 18 year old cat I had started to get fluids every few weeks. She lived to be 19 so I know it helped her.

Re: Kidney Disease in Cats and Fluids

Nonametoday — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 00:27:10 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
All depends on the cat and for one beloved cat we had, we decided it would not give him the good quality of life he was used to. I have never regretted the decision.

@Sooner

I understand that decision. I have had several cats, all of the house cats developed kidney disease. None of the outdoor cats and they all lived to a ripe old age. My oldest running disease of one was 4 years. Another lived longer, maybe 1-2 years. One began seizures early on and I had it euthanized. Broke my heart but you do what you have to do. I know it is said that housecats are healthier and live longer. My feral cats, those that I have tamed and those I could not, have been by far healthier. Perhaps, the housecats I have had were too finely bred, but tha thas been my experience: It all depends on the cat.