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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

Cat with renal failure

10 replies

FriendofDorothy · 13/01/2012 22:42

It has been a tricky week as my lovely little cat is at the vets having fluids. She has been diagnosed with renal failure and the vet has already warned me that the prognosis is poor.

Does anyone have any experiences of having a cat with this kitten?

OP posts:

Sonotwonderwoman · 14/01/2012 21:58

So sorry to hear about your cat FriendofDorothy bumping for you

Fluffycloudland77 · 14/01/2012 22:03

One of my childhood cats had renal failure, she drank more but didnt seem in distress. When it got painful and the cat withdrew from us she was pts.

This sounds trite but you really do know when the time has come, I'm sure you have given her a lovely life so far.

Renal failure does seem very common in cats. Isnt there a special diet you can buy from the vets for some cases?

suzi2 · 14/01/2012 22:08

I had a cat that had it rather suddenly. She showed little sign (though had other health problems, she was blind and epileptic from birth) and one day just refused her dinner. I took her to the vets a day or so later who did bloods and immediately started her on a drip. 5 days later she hadn't improved and she was put to sleep. I was told then that it could have been a tumor, or could have just been sudden which isn't uncommon.

My last cat went downhill in old age just over a few days. He was pts too, with the suspicion being renal failure. He showed a lot of signs, yet bloods were always fine. He drank a lot, he lost weight over a couple of years etc. I agree that when the time comes you'll know.

I believe that diet, medication and in some cases, IV fluids can make a huge difference. Both my cats were past that stage when it happened though. I don't think it's easy to say which way it'll go for you. I hope you get lots more time with your kitty.

Latsia · 14/01/2012 22:09

Oh I'm really sorry to hear. One of our cats was diagnosed with renal failure a few months ago. She is on a special diet (Canins Renal) and some extra meds for her breathing. We basically made the decision that as soon as she stops eating / looks lethargic etc we would make that difficult call, but for now she eats, drinks a lot obviously and generally makes a nuisance of herself around the house.

The fluids should really help and will buy you a bit more time with your cat. Just take each day as it comes. How old is she?

suzi2 · 14/01/2012 22:18

I agree with Latsia - watch for quality of life things. With my last cat it was so plain obvious he was dying and he wouldn't have long left. He stopped eating, became withdrawn, didn't respond well to us, was uncomfy and wanting left in peace etc.

Original poster

FriendofDorothy · 14/01/2012 22:48

She is about 14 (not quite sure how old as she was a rescue cat)

Have picked her up from the vet (£500 lighter - ouch!) and she seems happy enough. She is on special kidney diet.

Se, we will see how she is. When her quality if life deteriorates and the vet advises that euthanasia is the kindest thing then we will have to make that difficult decision. I am sure we will know when that will be.

Until then we will enjoy having her around.

Thanks for your advice.

OP posts:

Latsia · 15/01/2012 10:48

Good luck with her. It's a horrible time.

winterreise · 15/01/2012 21:08

MIL's old cat has this. Vet wanted her on medication and special diet costing more each month than MIL's food so she said no. 3 years later cat is thin but still happy and well. The end will be the same whether cat had tablets and diet food or not.

cambridgeferret · 19/01/2012 21:41

I've had both outcomes, good and bad.

Cat 2 had the fluid treatment in 2009 and is currently asleep on the chair.
Cat 1 had it in mid-October last year but sadly passed away two weeks after finishing treatment. It was basically picked up too late.

Would recommend buying renal food from Viovet or similar rather than your vet - much cheaper.

Hugs from me and licks from Cat 2.

mrsjay · 20/01/2012 12:44

I have another thread about my cats kidney just got back from vets today she has early onset renal failure , she has been put on tablets the diet she is on is fine for her so no need to change , she seems ok though the vet wanted to xray her but because of her age (18) and she wouldnt lie down for it she would need sedated we didnt want that , cats can live for a long time with it ( i think ) but im sure when the time comes you wil know when its time for the cat to go , Mine is still eating/drinking and going out to the toilet so she is ok just grumpy and old

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