Kidney disease

[Judystilldreamsofhorses]

My MIL’s lovely cat has just been diagnosed with stage three kidney disease. She is seven, and MIL brought her to the vet this week because she had been weeing a lot, outside her litter tray. She got the call tonight, and they are to go back tomorrow.

Any positive stories? I am so sad for her. She was my “gateway cat” - I had always been #teamdog but after having her here for a month while MIL was on a trip I was converted, and we adopted our own cat within three months. She was brought into a rescue centre as a pregnant stray when she was very young - MIL has one of her kittens too.

My old girl who is nearly 12 has just been diagnosed with kidney disease too - unfortunately we think it is quite advanced, the vet thinks stage 4 but they'll do more tests in 2 weeks after she's been on the renal diet for a while. She's not suffering, is loving her new food and eating it in one sitting every time. She's a lot more active today too and following me around the house to sit in the same room as me! I was very worried yesterday but she has perked up considerably today

I was told by the vet that cats with kidney disease can do quite well, and I believe the prognosis for stage 3 can be quite positive - just under 2 years life expectancy to as much as 5 years in some cases. So please don't write her off just yet! Her new diet will slow the progression of the disease.

I'm being realistic about our old girl, and am expecting good days and bad days. For now though she's drinking plenty and eating like a horse so we're making the most of her. If her quality of life nose dives we will do the right thing by her, but until then plenty of cuddles, quiet time and fuss from the children (10yo will be devastated when she passes). She's the loveliest cat we've ever had.

Hi Judy.
I'm so sorry you are facing this with your lovely cat.It's so upsetting.I went through it 4 years ago with my girl cat.She started drinking such a lot and I just knew, so took to the vet, and he said by the time symptoms show it can be quite advanced.Stage 3.
She wouldn't touch the renal food, we tried everything but the advice was to get some food down her at all costs.She was basically ok for 2 years.
She lost a lot of weight and went downhill slowly over the course of 3 months.
The last weekend was a bit rough, she was constantly sick, vet couldn't do a lot.
Monday morning she got out of her bed and collapsed.
We rushed her to the vet but had to have her put to sleep.She was 14, so from diagnosis to the end was 2.5 years.

Thank you so much for the replies. So sorry to hear you are in the same boat @, and sorry to hear about your girl @Clarich007

She was back at the vet today for more bloods, so we shall see what that brings. Apparently the vet said they hadn’t ruled out an infection rather than kidney disease, but MIL says she hasn’t eaten much today.

Thank you, it was 4 years ago now, but I still miss her

My girl was diagnosed at stage 4 after a crash in 2018 - she lasted another 2 years until this August. We had her on a renal diet and regular subcutaneous fluids - by the end she was on 60+ ml a day. I would recommend pronefra, a drinking fountain, buying some urine sample kits (much cheaper than at the vets) and visiting Santa's CKD site.

Good luck - it absolutely isn't a death sentence. My girl fought hard and got nearly 2 years more than expected - diagnosed aged 9. I miss her so so much.

Off to have a little weep.

Our first cat was diagnosed with kidney disease when he was about 13 years old.

We had to take him for I think steroid injections and he was on the renal diet food (although he preferred the dried variety)
He went very regularly then every few weeks would have a blood test and the regularity would get less or stay the same. In the end he got down to every 6 months.

Untill the test came back that he didn’t have to have the injections again

He was 23 when he finally passed through something completely unrelated.

Dcat collapsed with kidney failure at 12. She's now 19 and still going strong. When has half a tablet daily and accepts kidney biscuits but refuses the meat so has normal food - she point blank refuses to eat when it was the ckd meat sachets! She has blood tests and urine tests every 6 months (getting the wee samples is entertaining).

I genuinely want to get out the pompoms and cheer all these kidney disease legends. So happy for you @thecatisboss

Thanks @ Evvyjb Dcat's current position (the desk is above a radiator)

@Thecatisboss I am honestly crying. What a bloody legend. I wish every every every good thing for you guys.

Off to sob into a pillow.

@Evvyjb I just realised how similar the position of our cats is! She was absolutely gorgeous!

[quote Thecatisboss]@Evvyjb I just realised how similar the position of our cats is! She was absolutely gorgeous![/quote]
Sorry. Weeping. I miss her so so so much. She was my soul cat.

Thank you for the positive stories, and also photos of such beautiful cats! No word from the vet on Thursday’s tests, but hopefully on Monday.

Our own cat is currently wedged between DP and me, on the heated throw, purring like a loon - if it hadn’t been for her stripy cousin she wouldn’t exist. It doesn’t bear thinking about.