Ratman

The last three weeks have definately been interesting. About 4 weeks ago one of my cats wasn't feeling so good. He was throwing up as though he had a hairball for a couple of days. It didn't resolve itself, so I took him to the vet. They thought hairball as well and gave me some Laxatone to grease up the system, as well as a shot to stop the vomitting and one to ease the inflamation in his stomach. Two days later he was crashing. He would drink water and throw it right back up, couldn't eat, fitfull sleep. I took him to the vet again and we ran a blood screen. Several points were way out of line and indicated renal (kidney) failure. They immediately inserted an IV and a catheter and put him in a kennel with warm packs around him to bring his temp up and jump start his system. He stayed for 4 days. I visited him twice a day, as did some of my friends, so he had a lot of support and love to get him through.

On the third day he was looking much better. He could drink and not vomit and they started to feed him with a big syringe loaded with food. On the 4th day, he was eating and pooping like normal. The blood test was totally clear. I brought him home and thanked God.

He was still a bit under the weather for a few days. Eating a bit and drinking, but not so energetic. I was worried about the not eating enough. I was trying to give him some meds orally, which were in a fairly big capsule. The vet recommended mixing the contents with food, but he wasnt eating enough to get the all the medicine, and I have another cat that eats everything. I didn't want to medicate both of them. We went back to the vet for a blood check and there was a slight elevation at a couple of points. They suggested assisted feeding. No problem, says I. Give me one of those big syringes and I'll be on my merry way! UH...... We can't give you a syringe. Oh, no problem, I'll pay for it. Uh.... we can't sell you one either.

Turns out that in Japan, syringes and the general public shall never meet. No heroin problem here, and they are detrmined to keep it that way. So how do I feed this cat? I tried by hand for a couple of days. He got enough food to get by, but it took 5-6 sessions a day. He wasn't so happy to have me stuffing my fingers in his mouth either. What to do? He was nervous everytime I came near him.

Desparation is the mother of innovation. I remebered that when you buy whipping cream in Japan (the liquid kind that you make yourself) it comes with a small plastic pastry bag and nozzle so you can decorate stuff. I took one of the unused ones I have and tested it with really well mashed up cat food. It was strong enough to do the job! I loaded in about 50g of food and gave it a try. Bingo! It worked like magic. I could get the food in the cat without a hassle, and he didn't seem to mind so much. In fact, after he ate he had a lot more energy.

I feed him this way once a day for now, because he is eating on his own as well, just not enough. I can also mix his meds with the food, so I know he is getting them and not the other cat. I can't tell you how releived I am.

CRF (chronic renal failure) is much scarier than it sounds. A change in diet is necessary. So is closer monitoring of food and water in and out. CRF cats can lose their sense of smell somewhat, and lose interest in eating. If a cat doesn't eat for a couple of days, it can lead to fatal liver failure in a short time. I was lucky that I got him to the vet early enough to prevent serious damage. The special Kidney-friendly foods are pretty stinky, so even a cat with reduced smell is gonna be interested. It's not much more expensive than regular food, but even at twice the price would be worth it.

Some vets will recommend euthenasia for CRF cats in early stages. Get a second opinion! My cat was into the danger zone, but can now look forward to many more years of sleeping 18 hours a day. Don't give up! And if you can't get the equipment you need, stop, think, improvise.

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Lady Sage

You are a sincerely fabulous person for doing the right thing for you and your baby!

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tinfoil

I am pleased to see that you took the effort for your pet/friend and am shocked that a vet would recomend such a thing for a condition that is certainly treatable.

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Sweetpea

fantastic! You're a wonderful person to take such steps to take care of your pet. Thanks for sharing your experience and advice.

sweetpea

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Ratman

An update. I went to the vet yesterday to pick up a couple of cases of special kidney-friendly food. I took the pastry bag and told them how I fed the cat with it. They were very impressed, and gave me a case of the food as a present for giving them a solution to a problem that is obviously frustrating them. Now they can tell others about how to assistance feed a cat with minor difficulty.

OBTW, my vet didn't recommend euthenasia. They are the sweetest people, and care very much for the animals in their care. I was reading up on CRF on the web, and came across that warning on a couple sites dedicated to CRF. I was shocked as well, and thought I should include it in my post. Cats seem to be pariticularly prone to kidney problems, so you all should know there is a lot of info available.

Kuma ("bear" in Japanese) is doing quite well now, and mostly eating on his own. I will continue to monitor, and intervene if necessary. Gotta love the furry ones that love us unconditionaly!

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The difference between theory and reality is that in theory there is no difference.

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james t kirk

My cat was supposed to be dead 2 years ago due to Kidney problems.

She's in the next room right now watching the acedamy awards.

Seriously though, I've done a lot of research on the topic of CRF and I am convinced that the large numbers of cats suffering from it is due to their diet of "convienient" cat food - especially that dry kibble crap. I have her kidney levels tests periodically and it is not getting better, howeer, the rate of deterioration has slowed.

I have been feeding her a natural diet of chicken, supplements, and a bit of veggies now for 2 years. (As recommended to me by a very good local vet.)

I have ranted quite a bit about it in the pet food thread and if you want to read about my thoughts and experiences, go here:

http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=109562

Randerolf

Ratman, I'm glad your cat is going better. My friend also has a soft spot for cats and though she had one with a stomach tube and a plastic collar, it regained its health in time with a special diet and special care.

Ratman

Thanks for your good wishes, I am confident we are headed in the right direction. Capt Kirk, before there was a Tilted Pets forum I contributed several links several times to sites dedicated to feeding a natural diet to pets. My cats have been eating fresh food like chicken and fish for a couple of years, and as you have pointed out in your threads on the subject, they have been much healthier because of it. Sometimes chicken breasts can have higher levels of phosphorous, and the fish can contain mercury and other environmental poisons, but overall I think it is a lot better than commercial food. For now he is getting special food that is formulated for CRF, low protien, phosphorous, etc. Until he is stable and and at a good level for a few months, it is going to be the course I take. Unfortunately, living in a foriegn country with some language barriers doesn't allow me to research the food here as much as I would like. At any rate, I hope to have him back on a natural diet as soon as I can.

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The difference between theory and reality is that in theory there is no difference.

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*Nikki*

Excellent info, thanks for posting and taking such good care of your baby

Ratman

Well, he gave me a scare this morning. He has been really active and eating well (4AM kitty rodeo with his brother). This morning he ate, drank, pooped and then threw up. More than once. First time was just water, then three times with the mucous-y foam. This is what he did when he was first sick. I got him to the vet as soon as they opened, and they took a blood test. His blood was the best it's been since he got sick, BUN was 16, two weeks ago it was 37. Cr was 2.4, 1 full point below two weeks ago. What a relief!

We think it was a bit of hair, or just overdiong things a bit. I brought him home, gave him some meds, and lots o' love. He was acitve, eating and then he slept, just like normal. Tonight he's as normal as can be. Still monitoring...

Thanks for the support. I give him rubs and let him know you care!

__________________
The difference between theory and reality is that in theory there is no difference.

"God made man, but he used the monkey to do it." DEVO