Suspected CKD - advice please

[PurpleFlower1983]

Hi everyone,

My cat has gradually lost weight over the last few months but has not changed besides that. This was no bad thing as she was overweight before and as she is 15-16 (we’re not sure as she came to us 6.5 years ago) had started to slow down a bit. Over the last few days she has had a severely decreased appetite and has lost weight quickly. I took her to the vet who said she had lost muscle mass and did some bloods. The kidney reading came back 4x higher than it should and the vet felt her kidneys saying he thought they were enlarged. He suspects Chronic Kidney Disease and said there were 3 options:

Hospitalisation to see if she picks up - he didn’t recommend this due to her current condition and the stress it may bring.

Further tests - namely ultrasound first to further confirm what he suspects.

PTS - he said he believes the outcome whatever we do would likely be the same so if it was his cat he would probably go down this route.

I need further confirmation in my own mind before I consider PTS as I feel acting on just a blood test seems quite rash, that said, my husband and I have noticed a fast deterioration over the last 48 hours, she has started eating a little more after some medication to stimulate her appetite but this is minimal.

I have booked the ultrasound for tomorrow but I’m just hoping we have done the right thing, I don’t want her to suffer longer than necessary. She is still mobile and toileting normally at the moment but generally weaker and lethargic. She still loves a fuss though.

Does anyone have any experience/advice?

I wouldn't hospitalize either (and didn't when faced with a similar decision for my 15 year old cat a few years ago). As she's still mobile and toileting ok I don't think it will do any harm to do the ultrasound for your own peace of mind. It seems a reasonable middle way and I think you'll probably know when it's time to pts. These decisions are so tough.

My cat had kidney failure. I didn't realise till it was too late. Her bloods were off the scale. She also had severe heart disease. I think the diuretics caused the kidney issues. I looked at her the evening she'd had bloods done and realised the light had gone from her eyes, it was definitely time.

At that age, I wouldn't hospitalise, for me it was quality over quantity.

Does your cat still have some quality of life? After eight weeks my vet told me it was time for my boy. I still felt he had a bit more life, two days later he enjoyed the sun and he sat on my lap outside, but the following day I couldn't see what he got out of it and I knew it was right to let him go.

Talk to your vet about sub-q fluid therapy. You can administer at home if you're needle confident. Kept my girl going for 2 years after her kidney crash.

Thank you all for your supportive words. She’s been very subdued for the last couple of days but still comes for a fuss and a cuddle. She’s taken to sleeping under our bed during the day as we have a toddler who loves her but who is a bit much while she’s not feeling well. She’s been coming down stairs when she has gone to bed but she’s struggling with higher jumps which is new in the last couple of days

I think the vet is of the opinion that she is nearing the end. I feel bad that we didn’t know about this before but she has seemed normal up to now apart from gradual weight loss which as I say I thought was no bad thing.

I will explore all avenues before PTS but I don’t want her to suffer.