Kidney problems

Question
My cat Muffin was just diagnosed with a kidney problem she's now 17 years old.  A reading of something (now sure) of 3.1 was a little higher than a normal reading of 2.5.  My Vet suggested putting her on a low protein diet.  She also has an over active thyroid and is taking medication.  This condition of an over active thyroid masked her kidney condition.  Any suggestions or help would be appreciated?

Thanks
Dan Rosanova


Answer
It is very difficult to have a cat you love diagnosed with renal failure. Her creatinine and BUN levels were probably elevated. It is not uncommon for a 17 yr old cat to develop renal failure.

Your vet is right in suggesting a low protein diet. This is ease the burden on the kidneys.

K/D is a diet that has the proper amounts of protein for a cat but it is made more bioavailable to the body and thus the amounts can be lower than normal adults diets. There is an increased amount of fat for energy and brain function. The diets you are feeding from the stores are too high in protein, which causes more urea to be excreted into the blood since the kidneys and then the liver cannot filter it out- so then the ammonia levels raise in the blood which makes the cat sick and then they vomit. Your vet might have suggested using this food. It comes in both dry and canned forms.

I went through this with my cat Floyd who lived to be 19. He was on K/D as a preventative measure from age 10. When he developed renal failure right after his 19th birthday, I kept him hydrated with fluids and made sure he was comfortable and was eating.

Inappetence is a problem with cats in renal failure (no appetite).
Food starts to make them sick because they are already sick from the buildup of waste products in their blood stream due to the kidneys not filtering well anymore. It takes 80% of kidney loss function before we see a problem with cats. Thus the kidneys are running on 20% or less of their maximum output. This is what causes the buildup of the toxins in the bloodstream. Coupled with Tapazole or whatever you are giving her for her HT, she is straining to filter a lot.

If your cat isn't at this point that is good. I would get her a small bag of dry K/D and a couple of cans and offer her both. Most cats love the taste of K/d and gobble it down. Make sure you measure the food according to the bag and her weight.

You can get some time with her if she takes to this food and eats well Dan. But you are facing a downhill battle. In other words, she isn't going to get 'better.' Renal failure never reverses itself and you need to prepare yourself for the day when her quality of life is not what it should be and you have a very hard decision to make. I know it wont' be easy but when the time comes, and she isn't eating anymore and just lying in one spot most of the time, you will know it's time.

When it comes I know you will do the right thing. Please let me know if I can help in any way, now or then.

Take care