Community Chat

[terrier3]

Thanks to you, I have been hydrating my Murray, who is 18 and has kidney disease. I had been doing two or three time a week, but he threw up some mucus this week -first throw up since I started the hydration.

I think I will hydrate 3-4 times a week and see if that helps. His appetite is still good.

The vet was very "loose" re: how many times a week to hydrate.

Is 4 times a week OK? or even more?

I trust your judgment - you taught us so much about managing a cat's chronic illness!

TIA.

[grandkidsrgreat]

bump. I know Sammycat will have good advice for you when she sees this. Good luck!

[Tissyanne]

Bump for Sammycat.

[Sammycat1]

How much are you hydrating on the days that you do so?

Also, if the spit-up is mucusy/foamy vs. food, it could be nausea from increased stomach acid due to the kidney failure causing the problem. Fluids will not totally take care of that. And unfortunately, vomiting begins to be more of a problem over time.

Schmoo had to go on a 1/4 tab of pepcid (original strength only) at first once a day, then twice a day, to help with this problem.

I'd call the vet, report the vomiting situation and ask if pepcid would be appropriate to try with Murray or if in his opinion additional fluids are the way to go. It's possible to "over-hydrate" a cat and put too much pressure on its heart -- that's why I suggest you call Murray's doc first.

Good luck and let me know which way he goes!

[Sammycat1]

I forgot to say that you have to be careful on how much you hydrate, both per day and per week, in the event that Murray may have other health conditions, too. Schmoo had heart disease, so we could never do more than 75 ml, every other day, and sometimes we'd just have to stop altogether for awhile to avoid risk of fluid buildup (if you ever see Murray breathing too fast, say more than 40 breaths per minute, he may be retaining fluid instead of processing it and his heart may be struggling. Not to scare you, just an FYI for the older cat.) Our other cats, though, could tolerate 100 ml/day up to 5 times a week as they deteriorated. You're doing a remarkable job in that Murray has only vomited once and still has a good appetite. That's why I'd check with his vet re: possibility of stomach acid/nausea before just adding fluid. It comes to a point where you do have to try little bits of several things as you navigate his illness over time. Sounds like Murray's in excellent hands to me!

[Sammycat1]

Terrier3, just making sure you saw my previous replies to you. Hope all is well with you and Murray!

[Nonametoday]

Edited/deleted. Sorry, just realized this was another Sammycat dedicated thread.

[kittymomNC]

Terrier3, I "met" you on a couple of threads recently about the VW situation and funding elections, and very much liked what you had to say. I just found this thread and am interested in knowing more about you and Murray--is there another thread with your story? I have a 15-year old (almost 16) little girl named "Baby Cat", a black & white tuxedo, who was diagnosed with kidney disease almost 3 years ago. Apparently we caught it in time to start treatment early-twice a week fluid treatments and special diet. I have not been able to do the treatments at home, because she won't let me do it alone and I don't have anyone I can count on on a regular basis to help. We've been to the vet twice a week every single week for 2 years and almost 11 months. (She was diagnosed the first of April). It's like the post office - rain, snow, or sleet, or hail, etc. etc., Baby Cat gets her treatments no matter what! So far, her blood work is stable and she is maintaining her weight, also seems to feel well. I know it can't last forever and I've already had her much longer than I thought possible, but I don't dwell on what the future holds, I'm blessed for every day I have her.

It's good to know that there are people here who have or are going through the same things. I have been so touched by Sammycat's story about Schmoo and have such admiration for how they took care of him. I don't have a lot of family, and they don't really understand how I feel about my animals. I know there are many true cat/animal lovers here, and hope you all will allow me to "join" you - there are times when I could use the support of other people who understand that I will do absolutely everything I can possibly do for my babies, just as I would for my own child. I hope Murray improves very soon!

[Tissyanne]

kittymomNC, this thread has nothing to do with me, but I sure admire/respect you for caring so deeply about your baby. I have a female cat that is 15 years old, and a 5 year old male. I post every day on Sammycat's Schmoo thread. You are certainly welcome to join us there, and we would love to hear from you. I am a huge pet lover, but cats are my weakness. Please let us hear more from you.

[Shop Till you Drop]

I second Tissyanne- Please join us on Sammycat's original thread. She is wonderful in guiding us through the ups and downs of pet health. I have followed this journey since the first post, and now I am clinging on to the wonderful advise Sammy has to offer as I too have started the kidney failure journey with my precious Joey. Her advise and the prayer of this entire group is beyond awsome. Blessings to all.