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MysticFireTopaz -> RE: What is your cat doing? (6/23/2013 5:42:24 PM)
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ORIGINAL: Duskypearls
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ORIGINAL: MysticFireTopaz
Thanks, Dusky :) Misty and I appreciate the well wishes.
I joined that Yahoo group this time last year, when she was first diagnosed with CRF, and have found it very helpful.
Unfortunately, Misty completely rejects the prescription catfood that she is supposed to be eating. She'll reject it even if it's mixed with something else. As I told the vet, I have found exactly one catfood that she will eat that stays down. All other catfoods she either turns her nose up at or don't stay down. I'm thankful she will at least eat that one.
Good, sweetie, I forgot I gave it to you. I really feel for you and Misty. Stay strong, both of you.
Sorry about not eating the Rx food. As you're learning, only to well, one of the hardest things w/CRF kitties is food and eating/not eating it.
For those who don't know what the heck we're talking about with cat's who have Chronic Renal Failure. Kidney's have so many important jobs; they concentrate urine, filter waste products, regulate electrolytes, create a hormone that stimulates the bone marrow to create red blood cells, and produce renin, which controls blood pressure.
Cats can have kidney disease for a loooooong time before most folks notice, because the signs/symptoms may be subtle for a long while, and they hide their illness well. By the time most people realize there's a problem, usually 70% of the kidney is destroyed, and the cat's basically being poisoned to death by its own waste products.
One of the main symptoms is increased thirst. They need more water intake because their kidneys are damaged, can longer concentrate urine, and needs lots more water than normal to remove waste. They get so dehydrated and need to drink a lot of water, which makes them pee a lot, which makes them need more water. The cat can't drink enough to make up for the water they're losing. Increased water consumption and increased peeing are two of many possible symptoms.
Chronic Kidney Failure cannot be cured, but with a good bit of luck, might be managed, and it is not easy. You've got to get, and keep, the cat hydrated enough. They need a diet of low phosphorous, high Potassium and low quantity, high quality protein. Most of what we feed our cats is low quality protein, which damages kidneys. They get put on a "Kidney Diet," that controls other substances that may be too high or too low in them such as salt, magnesium and B vitamins.
Cats are notoriously sensitive and don't like sudden changes even when their well, especially with their food. Getting them to eat the new food can be the hardest thing of all. They've already lost weight due to the disease, are weak and feel like shit and probably aren't eating well, because the toxins build up in their system, and their Potassium is too low, which makes them weak and their muscles painful. Not the best time to have to suddenly change their diet to something that is less palatable, and different from what they're used to. The BEST success comes from a VERY gradual change.
It's a rough disease, and heart-breaking for the owner. It's like walking on a tightrope. My heart goes out to sick kitties and their Mom's and Dad's.
Yes, it is a rough disease, and unfortunately, not that uncommon. A friend's kitty was just diagnosed and he's only 7. Two other friends lost their cats to CRF, one at age 12 and one at age 14. As I recall, there was a person who posted here who lost her cat to CRF at age 5.
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