Cat Kidney Failure - Urinary Issues
Tuesday August 5, 2008
JAKEPATCH asks: "I have a 9 year old sweet cat that has kidney disease, mild. Recently he has been skipping the litter box, and peeing on anything. No one can give me any life expectancy information at the vet, or tell me anything to help this issue that has worked. Do I put him to sleep and prevent years of urinary tests, blood tests, medicines...due to his kidney disease, do I keep him in one area of the house only? I am at a loss and running out of time with my husband on coming up with a solution."
Comments
Dear Jakepatch,
I just lost my cat today. She was 16 years old but also have a kidney failure which also made her blind. I guess question is how much you love your cat? What your vet is saying? Are you prepare to spend some money to find out? Maybe some medication will help him.
Ask yourself these questions, observe your cat and ask some questions to your vet. Then you will know what to do. In case you decide to put him/her to sleep please be with him/her and hold him/her in your arm to show how much you love him/her.
Take care,
Hi,
We just put our 16 year old cat to sleep 3 weeks ago from the kidney failure disease. We had been battling this disease for over 3 years, but, knew what the end result would be. Our cat would not eat at times and drank water constantly. He would pee a lot, too. He began to lose weight and in the end, he lost all use of his leg muscles and became blind the day we put him down. If we had to go over the last few years, I’m not sure we would have put him through all the suffering, but, because we are humans, we cling to hope that something can be done. We used the subcutaneous fluids via needles which did not work….he fought violently. All the money in the world will not keep your cat from dying from this disease. It is a terminal type of cancer. But, I agree with the previous comment…..love him until the end and be with him when you decide to put him down. We did and are so glad we did. Our cat’s end came very quietly with a strong dose of morphine before the final injection. You could look at our cat and just tell he was tired of fighting the disease and we felt we had done everything we could do for him. It is an expensive experience with the vets to try to save cats who have this disease, but, in the end, there is no cure. Good luck and hug your kitty as much as you can and DO NOT FORGET to take LOTS OF PICTURES so you will have something to enjoy after he is gone.
I am quite saddenened by the dire comments seen here….and my cat has enjoyed a high quality of life for the last two years, with proper diet, Pepcid, and Sub-Q, which he does not mind to have once-twice per week….my guide was his quality of life…it’s a lot easier to give up and euthanize, but with a little effort, your cat could regain his joy and outlook, mine did. It’s natural for them to seem quite ill at first, b/c of dehydration and imbalances…but give him a couple weeks to three weeks of treatment before deciding…I’m so glad I did. After three weeks, if he is suffering, then euthanize, but only as a last resort. My cat became brighter within a week, and with a little effort and a little extra money, he is doing well. He means enough to me to go the extra step. You can purchase from Waggintails and subQ supplies online to save cost. Check out Tanya’s website for info on cat renal disease. Best of luck.
LOST MY CAT TODAY OF 16 YEARS! I JUST LOVED
HEARING HER PERRR.. I MADE A TOUGH DECISION
TO PUT HER ASLEEP! VERY TOUGH!!
I KNOW SHE IS WITH GOD NOW! SHE HAD KIDNEY
PROBLEMS! BLIND, CAN’T HEAR, HAD TROUBLES
GOING IN THE LITTER BOX! WHAT A MESS!
NOT ANYMORE! I FEEL ALL YOUR PAIN!!
Dear Jakepatch, I had a cat with urinary problems that was put to sleep last week. I miss my poor little baby so much, but sometimes I wonder if I should have had him put to sleep at the very outset of the problem, rather than at this time, a year later, after all the suffering we’ve gone through. Not only did the poor baby suffer but my husband & I suffered right along with him. I don’t want to sound negative, but if I ever get another cat which is diagnosed with this kind of problem again, I think I would have it put to sleep right away. I just would not be able to see another cat bear it again, and I wouldn’t be able to bear it again either! If you think your cat is happy, comfortable & playful right now, then maybe give him some more time to enjoy his life. But if his health & happiness declines, I think you shouldn’t feel any guilt about putting the poor creature to sleep before he really becomes depressed and goes through a lot of pain.