I have 5 cats, all teenagers. One has been diagnosed with early stage renal disease, and I have selected commercial foods (dry and soft) based on the databases in Tanya's article. Due to having a multi pet household, I changed the food for all of them.
Link to Tanya's info: Tanya's Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic Kidney Disease - Everything You Need to Know to Help Your Cat
Crystal is age 14. She has not been diagnosed with renal disease. For several months she was throwing up multiple times daily. I tried changing her foods about every 3 weeks. Nothing was helping. It was horrible for her and also for me as I had cat vomit everywhere. She also had projectile diarrhea which rarely remained in the litter box and over time she was pooping just about everywhere.
Next I started making "Spot's Stew" from The Whole Pet Diet. I had previously home cooked for all my pets for years. I had stopped in 2015 as I moved and then had to have 3 joint replacement surgeries. So I started cooking for all 9 pets about 3 months ago. Almost like a light switch, Crystal was fine, no vomiting no diarrhea. That lasted for about 8 weeks, then she started vomiting again. So I took her in to the vet and had blood work done. Now, I also realized I had adjusted the Spot's Stew recipe once with extra chicken thighs. I made the next batch w/out that and she is fine. So there is no issue with Crystal at this time.
During the exam, the vet noticed that she has licked the fur off all her underside. He commented that this can be a sign of a blockage developing, especially with the vomiting and diarrhea, or it can by psychological. An ultrasound was offered to search for issues, but I have declined that. Then they took blood for the work up. A few days later I received a phone call, all the lab results are fine so since she is OK, no need to do anything. A week or so later I called and had the lab report emailed to me, for Crystal's file. I have attached the lab report. The phosphorus levels are below normal. The markers for renal disease are on the lower ends of normal, if I read this report properly. I am not sure why the vet said not to do anything further for now, when the phosphorus is clearly below normal.
So at this time, the cats all have dry kibble available at all times, Hill's Science Diet adult 11+ indoor, which IS a low phosphorus food on the database. And once daily I set out a large bowl (at least 3 cups) of Spot's Stew, which they all partake and it is gone within an hour. I know that Crystal does eat it, I have no idea how much she eats.
I will be in to the vet on Monday (with 3 of the dogs) so if I have questions I need to clarify with the vet, I have an opportunity to do this coming up. I will ask why he said no need to do anything when the one item is below normal. Thought maybe folks on here can help me understand it better, what to ask, what to follow up on. Thank you.
Link to Tanya's info: Tanya's Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic Kidney Disease - Everything You Need to Know to Help Your Cat
Crystal is age 14. She has not been diagnosed with renal disease. For several months she was throwing up multiple times daily. I tried changing her foods about every 3 weeks. Nothing was helping. It was horrible for her and also for me as I had cat vomit everywhere. She also had projectile diarrhea which rarely remained in the litter box and over time she was pooping just about everywhere.
Next I started making "Spot's Stew" from The Whole Pet Diet. I had previously home cooked for all my pets for years. I had stopped in 2015 as I moved and then had to have 3 joint replacement surgeries. So I started cooking for all 9 pets about 3 months ago. Almost like a light switch, Crystal was fine, no vomiting no diarrhea. That lasted for about 8 weeks, then she started vomiting again. So I took her in to the vet and had blood work done. Now, I also realized I had adjusted the Spot's Stew recipe once with extra chicken thighs. I made the next batch w/out that and she is fine. So there is no issue with Crystal at this time.
During the exam, the vet noticed that she has licked the fur off all her underside. He commented that this can be a sign of a blockage developing, especially with the vomiting and diarrhea, or it can by psychological. An ultrasound was offered to search for issues, but I have declined that. Then they took blood for the work up. A few days later I received a phone call, all the lab results are fine so since she is OK, no need to do anything. A week or so later I called and had the lab report emailed to me, for Crystal's file. I have attached the lab report. The phosphorus levels are below normal. The markers for renal disease are on the lower ends of normal, if I read this report properly. I am not sure why the vet said not to do anything further for now, when the phosphorus is clearly below normal.
So at this time, the cats all have dry kibble available at all times, Hill's Science Diet adult 11+ indoor, which IS a low phosphorus food on the database. And once daily I set out a large bowl (at least 3 cups) of Spot's Stew, which they all partake and it is gone within an hour. I know that Crystal does eat it, I have no idea how much she eats.
I will be in to the vet on Monday (with 3 of the dogs) so if I have questions I need to clarify with the vet, I have an opportunity to do this coming up. I will ask why he said no need to do anything when the one item is below normal. Thought maybe folks on here can help me understand it better, what to ask, what to follow up on. Thank you.
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