Cat with renal disease - anyone similar?

[CoonRapids]

Sad situation with our cat who is only 10 years old. He's had renal disease for a few years now and has special diet and tablets plus injections every month. We're finding it hard to cope with this from a number of angles in addition to having 3 children 5 and under including a 4 month old baby. At the moment the worst thing is that he's being sick daily, e.g. on our beds .

So although his results last month showed the kidney function hadn't declined markedly am having to consider taking him for more blood tests this week. Anyone been in a similar situation? He's asleep by the fire at the moment . When do you decide that enough is enough? I'm sorry for him but on the other hand, financially we are hard pushed at the moment to afford the insurance and excess on the vets bills. Feel heartless as he's a much loved pet, but what quality of life has he got anyway?

aw poor chap. sounds like you are all having a pretty tough time at the moment.

remember that renal disease is not ever really "cured" its just something we manage until the animals quality of life declines to the point when it is kinder to PTS.

if the sickness is a recent thing it could well be that his kidney function has taken another drop and its the build up of toxins in the blood that makes them feel so sick.

i would have a long chat with your vet or maybe one of the nurses at the practice who has looked after him and knows his history. (trust me we remember cases we have nursed and would be more than happy to discuss the options with you).

it may be that if the blood tests show his kidneys have got worse then his medications could be altered slightly to give him a little longer. or you could come to the decision that despite any blood test, there are no more treatments to try and if he is still getting worse then maybe the time has come

i completely understand how overwhelming it must be for you with your dc's and a cat in renal failure and you must not forget that you have done brilliantly tomanage it for a "few years" (more than most prople would ime)

hope your vets can help. wishing you all the best.x

Thanks, that's a much appreciated message. The sickness has been there off and on since and before he was diagnosed 2 years ago. It seems a bit worse at the moment though and last week and in Dec he'd lost some weight. He has the demeanour and appearance of an elderly cat but is still purring and not phased by living in a busy household.

I think the main thing I've decided is that I don't want him to have lots more dialysis and in-patient stays at the vets. (He's only had that once so far). The sickness we can just about cope with for now as long as he's still happy enough.

Will speak to the vets again as you suggest. We go monthly now that he is on steroid injections. They are v. nice...

I think I'd feel the same at the stage you're at maryz. However much we love the cat, I think you have to consider the needs of the rest of the family too and children come before pets surely? I'm surprised your vet is horrified. Most would take a more balanced view wouldn't they?

My cat was diagnosed with renal disease a few weeks ago. So far it seems to be managed by diet and, touch wood, we haven't had any sickness problems. Unfortunately, she's now developed a swelling on her chin which the vet says is part abscess and part tumour. The abscess has been treated with antibiotics but they won't remove the tumour because of the renal problems and her age (she's a grand old lady of 18). I have to take her back next week to see how it's responded to antibiotics and decide on course of action. Probably steroids to prevent growth but her appetite is poor and I'm reluctantly wondering if this might be the beginning of the end of her. At some point I will have to make the decision and it's a tough one. You have my sympathy.

Sorry to hear about your cat MummyDoIt

Ask the vet if you can try something like cimetidine tablet or syrup and/or antepsin liquid. Cats with renal problems often get gastritis (stomach inflammation) as a secondary problem related to the uraemia (=high blood levels of the things the kidneys filter usually). This is then what makes them sick. If you can get this better under control the sickness may improve. I won't pretend that the cat will take them willingly, but it may be worth a go.

Think I'm getting some tagamet syrup, maybe that's similar. Now we're snowed in though so tricky to get to vets

Tagamet is cimetidine yes. Hope it helps.

Thanks - picking it up later. It may be that we're noticing more sick as he's inside so much at the moment. Hope it's that...