And when the time may come, you will know and she will love you still. I know, as I've been through it, too. My warmest thoughts to you and Kitty.

She'll be getting a brushing tonight. She loves having it done.

She probably won't like the food. Eventually you will have to inject subcutaneous fluids. If you've never done it before, it's unnerving to do at first, but you'll get used to doing it. The cat won't feel the needle, but won't like being held while you inject the fluid.

We've kept them going for a couple of years after diagnosis. It ain't pretty, but it's doable. And they will stay mostly happy.

Sorry for your kitty.

Glad to hear this isn't necessarily a death sentence. We'll do everything we can.

Thanks!

high to max out the gravity when it's very full. when it gets less than 1/2 full you can squeeze it (under your arm) to get the fluid going faster. If you use warm water, the cat may actually learn to like the whole thing because they feel so much better afterwards.

Saline bags and Terumo titanium needles (finer needle for same flow rate) can be ordered online for 1/4- 1/10 the cost at the vetenarian's office.

My cat had total kidney failure and thrived another 10 years on Feline KD food. She hated it so the first month I had to add it to her regular food, one little spoon at a time. She had no symptoms for many years, no need for fluids or anything.
Good luck!

but I've had three w/ CRF (Chronic Renal Failure). It's not uncommon in older cats.

If I remember correctly, I had to infuse 500 milliliters Ringer's Lactate subcutaneously daily, + medication.

A bit tedious, the saline solution has to be warmed to near body temperature or you risk hypothermia, then the drip has to be adjusted carefully so that it feeds in steadily but slowly. The cat develops a "pillow" on the shoulder-yoke that dissipates over an hour or so.

I had one cat live 1.5 happy years. I can't remember longevity for the others.

This is old information and there may be other therapies now.

I think that would stress the heart. Normally one might start out with 50 a day, maybe 100 a day. The vet can tell the OP.

i think you must be mistaken thinking it was 500 ml.

You're quite right. 50-100. My memory failed me, and I mainly use Metric for wrenches.

If so, kitty can have a few more good years with treatment...if so, ask your vet about giving the kitty sub-q fluids...I've done it on 3 so far, and it really does help. I had no luck with special food...mine were too spoiled. Good luck.

Wishing good things for your kitteh.

Obviously, every situation is different.

This kitty was diagnosed relatively early in her disease. She's not yet ever had to have sub q fluids, but we know that's a possibility if it comes to that.

She has been on a medication called "lotensin" (benzapril is another name for it, I believe).

She does not eat special food, only because she would NOT ever eat it. She eats a prescription diet, but it is not specific for kidney issues.

I wish and your cat the very best of luck, and most of all, I thank you for taking such good care of her!!!

and I'm sure she loves you. She will be comforted by you no matter what, I'm sure.

Do note the suggestions to be sure the fluid is a comfortably warm, not cold or too hot temperature. Test it on your inner wrist like for a baby.

Good advice!

administering the sub-Q fluids. You can also put it on your heater vent in colder months.

I'd be interested in hearing more after you talk to the vet. My cats aren't that old yet, but I suppose it's always possible down the road as they get older.

I got 2-3 more years out of my first kitty who had renal failure -- just gotta get used to the I.V. Procedure and you're good to go...

We've lost many cats to renal failure. It's a lingering disease that will leave your cat thirsty and peeing a lot. She may start peeing outside the litter box. She'll lose weight and become lethargic but won't be in pain.

Things we've learned:

Subcutaneous fluids help with the chronic dehydration associated with failing kidneys and make the cat more comfortable, but in our experience don't seem to prolong lifespan much.

Put out lots of bowls of water and change them often. Ice cubes are appreciated.

Many of our cats developed an obsession with butter when they had failing kidneys. I think they needed the energy in the fat.

When your cat becomes unreliable about where she pees, puppy pads are helpful.

I'd never considered the puppy pads though. That might be worth a shot.

It's possible for a cat to live for years with kidney disease (if it's treated).
I found this to be a helpful website: http://www.felinecrf.com/

Azodyl is a probiotic that slows down the uremic toxins build-up. It has no side-effects, and can be bought over the counter. Your vet may carry it. My handsome boy was nearly 15 when he was diagnosed with CRF. The Azodyl gave him another year.

You might also want to consider a pet drinking fountain, such as a Drinkwell. That may encourage your cat to drink more water.

He is 18 and was diagnosed last year. There is a lot to learn about this disease and I have been trying to educate myself as much as possible because my cat has recently developed high blood pressure and anemia too, which sometimes happens with feline CRF kitties. I will PM you some info because it is too much to write here but if anyone else reads this and wants to know the protocol (medicines, supplements, etc.) that I'm doing for my cat, PM me.

one of my girls may have early stage kidney disease, but we're not sure yet. i've switched her food and we're going back to the vet in a few months and should know more then. she's about 13 and has been with me for eight years, but she's the first cat i've had on my own, so it feels a bit more stressful.