Feeling fragile and wondering if I’m doing the right thing

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

I haven’t been too good recently as my Mum’s death suddenly hit me and I’ve been questioning my judgment on a lot of things, the latest being Harry. Am I being cruel by choosing not to treat his kidney disease? He has absolutely no symptoms and has been more playful recently than he’s been for a long time.

Should I be trying to do more? He’s having Ipakitine in his wet food but we haven’t taken him for blood tests or got a urine test. I believe in quality over quantity and I don’t want to put him through any more tests as he’s been through so much.

[Fluffycloudland77]

What were your original reasons for not treating?.

[Vinorosso74]

You have had a lot to deal with and it sounds like Harry is ok in himself. How old is he again? I don't have any experience of kidney problems but would having the tests done change what you're doing? I agree quality of life over quantity is kindest.
Would you be able to have an honest chat with your vet? I'm asking as I had a good relationship with ours and I was able to be honest with her about things.

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

He wouldn't eat the renal wet food as he's a fussy bugger, he can't eat the dry food because the kibble is too big, he can't have Pronefra (the vet's treatment of choice) because he doesn't like it in his food and we can't syringe anything into his mouth because of his jaw.

The vet said we wouldn't have known anything for several years if he hadn't had blood tests when he had an x ray on his jaw. He doesn't drink loads and he's not losing weight.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Ok, so all those reasons are valid & still apply. So you're doing the right thing for a cat you love.

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

Sorry, cross post vino.

We think Harry is 12, coming up to 13. I don't know whether it would make a difference with the treatment to be honest as he's so fussy, or particular as the vet called him!

Our vet is lovely and we have a good relationship with everyone there, but she wanted me to have his jaw operated on so we could syringe meds into him! Apparently he could have it wired, pinned or partially amputated! Needless to say we said no to that.

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

Thanks Fluffy. It's so hard, I just want to do what's best for him but I don't want to make his senior years miserable.

[Vinorosso74]

You're doing the right thing and to let him enjoy his life. I never realised his jaw problems meant you couldn't syringe meds in.

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

It doesn't necessarily mean you can't but Harry's jaw is unstable so the vet said it's a risk (it doesn't cause him any issues otherwise we'd do something).

As well as that DH and I are pretty useless! We had to syringe antibiotics so I held Harry while the vet supervised DH syringing. Harry has very few teeth so DH syringed through a gap, forgetting he hasn't got any the other side. The antibiotics went in one side and out the other and all down me!

[Weedsnseeds1]

It seems a reasonable and thought out course if action to me.
You are aware of symptoms to look out for and can make the next decision for him as and when it's necessary.

[TheLongRider]

You're definitely doing the right thing with Harry. One of mine is on more medicines than any cat has a right to be but he's still chirpy and enjoying life. As soon as his quality of life degrades we'll do what is necessary.

It is tough when you've been through so much recently but you're still making the right decisions.

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

Thanks everyone, you’ve put my mind at rest. What happened with my Mum made me question a lot of my decisions and I always worry that I’m not doing the right thing for Harry.

[isadorable]

Having had a cat with renal problems who lived ten years with his diagnosis i think you're doing the right thing. I couldn't get him to take pills so for years he was just on the food which luckily he did like. Later, he took semintra and that went well for a while. But to be honest I was led by him and by my vet's view of where we were. I found this site really helpful too: www.felinecrf.org

For example, those chicken cat soups are fine for cats with kidney problems and he totally adored them.

Enjoy Harry! I understand that you've had a real journey with him health wise, and it is clear how much you love him and it put his interests first. I'm so sorry about your mum too.

[Toddlerteaplease]

If he’s happy, that’s all that matters.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Our cat with kidney problems lived to 17 & bit the vet so hard he bled while he was trying to pts.

Apparently the vet cried after but I think it was relief.

[Want2beme]

You're doing your very best and you know what's right for him. It sounds as if between you and your vet, he'll get the best of care. So sorry for your loss and I hope you'll be ok

[Toddlerteaplease]

Baron Harry could not have a better slave too attended to his every whim. Every decision you have made is based on what you think at that time is right for him. And that’s all that matters. Both his girlfriends send love and purrs to you both!

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

Thank you for all your kind words and support, it means a lot.

The Baron returns the love and purrs to you and the lovely Fatty and Snorg

[timtam23]

My old girl cat developed kidney failure in her last year of life (aged 17), I also have my young boy cat who has a new diagnosis likely to lead to chronic kidney problems.
With my girl cat we decided just to let her eat whatever she wanted. We didn't want to battle with her over renal diets and loads of medications. Also the vet said cats with renal problems tend to be more likely to lose weight so he'd rather she ate whatever she wanted.
It's very early days with my young cat & his kidney issues but we will probably do the same for him, he loves his food and I'd rather he lived a shorter but content life.

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

When we tried him on the renal food he sniffed it and jumped back - that told us!

He's definitely not losing weight

You've summed up how I feel timtam, I want Harry to have a content life.

[lljkk]

imho, quality > quantity (of life). x

[Toddlerteaplease]

He’s so gorgeous I just want to come and squeeze him!

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

Here’s another one! I love that lush white belly!

[Toddlerteaplease]

Sqeeeee!