Lincoln's Ckd

Furballsmom

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Of course, with all best wishes and good thoughts too :)

Try sitting with him some more and see if he'll lick other mushed up food off your finger or a spoon. The reddi whip helped another kitty recently but all of the things on the list have eaten by at least one cat.

18 Awesome Cat Feeding Tips By Thecatsite Staff Members

Also here is a compilation of things;

Try feeding in different locations - and utilize different heights. For example put a couple of books underneath the dish, next time use two thick phone books, or a small-ish box so the heights are varied....

Try some raw egg yolk. Egg white must always be cooked, and some people cook the white and make a slurry of sorts by adding in the raw yolk.

Try making these recipes - they're just as viable for an adult cat as for kittens;
Kitten-Rescue.com

These below can be used on their own or combined with food. Also, if you heat the food a little - stir it so there aren't any hot spots from the microwave.

Or you could heat some water, about a tablespoon, and add that to canned food. A small glass works to stir it all up.
  • Chicken, beef or ham flavored (pureed) baby food such as Gerber Stage 2 - make sure there is no garlic or onions in the ingredients
  • Tuna and/or the juice, a low mercury/low/no sodium brand is called SafeCatch
  • Salmon, mackerel
  • Sardines (make sure there are no bones)
  • boiled cut up chicken or turkey with no seasonings
  • canned kitten food any brand
  • Try mixing in Kitten Milk Replacer - there are recipes on the internet or store bought
  • Fish, tuna or BBQ flavored canned wet food (I personally have never seen BBQ flavors, but...)
  • Lickable cat treats or pouch treat 'gravy' poured over the food
  • kitten glop (recipes in website link above)
  • Bonito flakes
  • fortiflora
  • fish oil
  • green beans, asparagus mushed up, lettuce, applesauce, mashed chickpeas, black olives
  • whipped topping such as reddiwhip
  • dry pasta
  • goat milk, or no lactose cow milk
  • whole cooked eggs (the white must always be cooked) or raw egg yolk now and then
  • broth with no salt and no garlic or onion or seasonings of any kind
  • There are also commercial toppers, Applaws is a brand that can work well as a topper
  • Some good treats would be freeze dried Purebites, Orijen, Meowtinis, Meowables, Only Natural Pet, Primal
  • There are also Lickimats that you could spread types of soft food onto, even plain unflavored yogurt, and even freeze it. Licking something can help a cat to feel better emotionally The LickiMat - Food Puzzles for Cats
  • shredded cheddar cheese, string cheese
 
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HelenRB

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Thank you so much Furballsmom, I really appreciate it.

I'm not feeling good about things. Normally when I am home, he is beside me or on top of me. His personality has really changed.

He hid this morning before I went to work, then when I came home at lunch he was back on the couch in his usual spot. He didn't get up and come to me, but he let me sit beside him and climbed on my lap while I brushed him for a while. But, after I tried to give him a little food, he ran under the bed and didn't come out over the next half hour that I was home.

I also noticed when I roused him that his third eyelid took longer to recede in his one eye. It scared me at first - it looked like his eye had turned white.

I am glad we're going to the vet.
 

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Him hiding after getting food could be that "the food" is causing him pain due to his teeth or making him feel sick/nauseous. Cats will hide when they are sick or in pain, so the food could be the trigger.
When he hid this morning, was it after you tried to feed him his morning meal as well?

As for the eyelid, he could be dehydrated. Have you checked for other signs of dehydration like explained in my other post?
 
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HelenRB

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Thanks so much for the good wishes.

Yes, when he hid this morning it was after he had eaten a little. I have to admit I forgot to check for dehydration earlier - I will tonight. That makes sense, though, as an explanation for the eyelid issue.

Poor boy. I feel like I am letting him and my aunt down.
 
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HelenRB

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He is a little more himself this evening. He jumped down from the couch and came to greet me when I got home, and stopped on the way to use his scratching post.

Now we are just cuddled up in bed and he head butts me every once in a while to pet him. I tried pinching his skin on his back and it did snap back again fairly quickly.

Not sure what the rest of the night/week will bring but I’ll take this opportunity to show him lots of love and comfort.
 
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HelenRB

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Lincoln had a pretty good night. I hardly slept because he was demanding to cuddle all night, but of course I couldn’t refuse.

I think it’s definitely eating that makes him hide.

He had about a tablespoon of k/d wet this morning and was okay. I wasn’t able to come home at lunch but when I got home this evening he was happy to see me. I got his food out, and he reeeally wanted it - he was getting up on his hind legs and pawing at the can - but after a few licks he ran to the bedroom and hid under the bed.

He’s back out now and lying on top of me, so that’s good.
 
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HelenRB

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We are not having a good day.

Lincoln ate three tiny bites of plain chicken this morning, then hid behind the couch. I'm home for lunch and tried to give him some Cat-It (a creamy chicken-liver treat he loves) and he wouldn't touch it, and went under the bed. He is getting so thin.

Last night my aunt emailed and asked how he is (she hasn't asked about him in ages). I talked to my Dad and then was honest with her. She's very worried, obviously, and is sending lots of emails about what I am/can do.

We have our appointment with the vet we like tomorrow at 3. I'm wondering if I should call them and try to get in this afternoon, even though it will be a different vet and possibly the one I am not a big fan of. I don't know what I'll do if they think it is time to say goodbye.... if I'll talk to my aunt first or not. Someone suggested I could bring him to her and we could take him to the vet together so she feels involved, but it's an hour and a half drive and would be so stressful for him. But, it might help her to come to terms with it. I don't know.

He still likes to cuddle with me or sleep in the sun, but I don't think he is happy. It seems more like he is just seeking comfort.

This is so awful - I just keep crying.
 

Furballsmom

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Hi! No don't take him, but is she able to come to you?
Can you Skype or similar?
Can you get him in today, and if it's a possibility ask about an appetite stimulant if you haven't already, or syringe feeding or a feeding tube.

Sending all my prayers!! Get some chamomile tea with honey, or holy basil or l-tryptophan, you need to try to be strong for him :alright:
 
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HelenRB

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Thank you <3

I've got him an appointment at 2:20 today, but also kept the one tomorrow with our favourite vet.

Yes, I need to keep calm for my sweet boy. The tea is a good idea.
 
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HelenRB

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Well, what a difference a good vet makes.

I lucked out and got our favourite - I think the staff told him I had wanted him, so he made time to see us. He was so much better than the vet we saw last week. He sat down with my page-long list of questions and went through them all and made notes for me. He also reviewed last week's blood work in much more detail, and gave me copies.

Essentially, he thinks Lincoln's kidney failure is early stage. His BUN/creatine and phosphorus are in the normal range, but he has non-regenerative anemia and some other markers. He said the weight loss (another 6 ounces since last week, which is over 2 pounds since January) is very concerning, but it's not time to give up.

He is not certain the cause is CKD, but he is reluctant to put Lincoln through more invasive tests now. Unlike the other vet, he did not say "it's the prescription diet or nothing". He said we can try numerous things, and he also said that while k/d is great, it's more important that he eats, so don't feel too bad about just finding something he likes.

He gave me nutri-cal and sulcrate (sp?) to help settle his stomach. He also said we can try subq fluids if things don't stabilize. He said to call him any time.

So, Lincoln is still a fragile boy right now, and the vet did say the kidney failure will lead to death at some point (unless something else happens sooner), but I feel better just having a good vet on our side who will give me the information I need, and be gentle and compassionate with Lincoln.
 

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I'm SO glad for you right now! I know a CKD diagnosis is not the greatest, but if your vet feels it is early stage, than you may have much more time than you think. As I mentioned, my boy was diagnosed when in stage 3 (there are 4) and still lived another 3 good years.
As for why he has CKD, unfortunately, it is a very common disease to affect cats as they age. As with mine, is was simply "age related" CKD.
I am really happy that you have a vet who seems like he will work with you and take the time to keep Lincoln happy and healthy.
One question though, did the vet look at his teeth and gums, check for stomitis or any other mouth disease?
Did the vet think that the hiding right after eating was due to nausea? Pain?...
Also, did he talk to you at all about subQs and if they may be necessary to get him feeling better? Did they give him fluids at all while at the vet office? Even just short term fluids for like a week or so can really help a kitty perk back from a crash.
 

Furballsmom

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I'm so incredibly glad for you that you have a vet on your team that you're comfortable with and confident in!!
 
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HelenRB

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Hi Jem,

The vet did check his teeth and mouth out and thought they looked okay. He did also talk about doing subq fluids soon, so we have a plan to follow-up.

I also wonder if I have been stressing him out by being such a basket case when he doesn't eat. I'm sure he could sense my anxiety. I will really try to act more relaxed at mealtimes in future.
 

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I've been meaning to provide you with this link. It is a bit outdated, so I'm not sure if it's still completely accurate considering food companies do change their formulas from time to time and some may be discontinued or new ones not in it but, this is a list of foods that has the protein, carb, fat and phosphorus content. Newer research shows that it is not the protein content that is bad for CKD but too much phosphorus. This may help you find a good quality protein wet food that is also low phosphorus. So, there are more options for you other than the prescription foods. You're vet is totally right about one thing. It's way more important that Lincoln eats, than WHAT he eats. But it doesn't hurt to try to make the better food option if you can.
https://catinfo.org/docs/CatFoodProteinFatCarbPhosphorusChart.pdf

Also, you may have already come across this site in your search for information, but just in case, check this site out.
Tanya's Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic Kidney Disease - Everything You Need to Know to Help Your Cat
It helped me so much when my baby was going thru everything.
 
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