CKD diagnosis - what to expect

[blumarine916]

So I’m creating a new thread for those of you with experience handling CKD to share your thoughts or experience with me.

My 11 year old cat Meffy was diagnosed with late stage CKD on Sunday evening. The vet has started with IV drips treatment and although she’s looking better than she did on Sunday, she still didn’t want to eat much. I know I may be too anxious to see result but I would just like to know what should I expect.

1) How long did your cat take to start eating once the IV treatment started?
2) Did they eat lesser or normal?

I know it’s only been 2 days but I’m just so worried she won’t eat normally again. Her energy levels aren’t as good yet and today she seems more tired that yesterday. A lot of loafing with her eyes down or just laying down mostly. She also isn’t watching TV with us as usual.

I’ve also been reading Tanya’s thread but it overwhelms me with so much info. I’m just really a wreck right now so any advice or sharing is really appreciated.

 

[Furballsmom]

Hi ...just to mention, Tanya's kidney cat website has a support group as well. Hang in there

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi. If your cat was not being treated in any manner for CKD before this late-stage diagnosis, the situation could be very unique to her. Most cats that reach this stage have long been on numerous treatments/supplements/medicines. And all of that can change the results/approach for treating a cat that 'crashes' (I am not an expert by any means, but it sounds as if that might be the case). I don't know what all lead to the reason for the vet visit, so crash may not be the appropriate description.

If you know at least the basics of information on Tanya's web site, you can try joining the CKD forum to ask advice/guidance from them - they are part of that forum solely to due CKD. [email protected] | Home

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

I've had three kidney cats but they were all diagnosed when in stage 2. None of them ever needed IV drips, but they did require sub-q fluids be given at home. So, that being said, can you clarify whether your cat is indeed getting IV drips or sub-q fluids? IV drips are usually done with an in hospital stay for several days, and this very well could be the case. Usually this is because of acute kidney failure due to some sort of poisoning, or a crash for some reason.

None of my cats ever regained their appetites from the time of diagnosis. That was one reason they were seen by the Vets and diagnosed in the first place...lack of appetite and increased water intake. From then on it was a chore getting them to eat. I found what worked best was to feed them many small meals throughout the day and night. And wet food worked better since they need as much moisture as possible. So I would feed maybe one tablespoon of wet food with filtered water added to it maybe 8 or 9 times in a 24 hour period. And I constantly switched up the food so they didn't get bored. I never fed the kidney diet, mainly because they didn't like it and our Vet said it's better for them to eat anything than not eat. We used an appetite stimulant and also antacids to help, which they did. AS far as middle of the night feedings, I put two bowls of food in the freezer and at bedtime took them out and set one on a towel in a ziploc bag to start thawing. The other I set on an icepak (also in a ziploc bag). Both of these went on my nightstand. When they got hungry they would wake me up and the first bowl would be thawed, so out it would come and I'd set it right on the bed for them to eat and take the other bowl off the icepak. A few hours later they would let me know they were hungry and come back for more. By then the second bowl would be thawed (since it was just a tiny amount) and I'd set IT on the bed for them to eat. It worked out well since I never had to get out of bed to feed them. Note: I never had more than one kidney cat at the same time. My other cats were trained to let the kidney cats eat in peace because they knew they would get a treat if they waited patiently for them to finish. ( I kept treats under my pillow for them )

 

[blumarine916]

Will Meffy ever be back to cheerful, playful herself despite being sick? Or have I lost this forever?

 

[FeebysOwner]

Give a treatment plan some time to work and see what happens. All cats differ, so you just never know. I think once she has had some time with her new way of life, she will probably bounce back from where she was - but the big key is that even if she doesn't return to the Meffy you once knew, she is still Meffy and will still want your love, caring, and support.

It is like any individual - be that a human or a pet - who ages, they go through changes that we have to come to accept - but we always cherish them all the same, and the time we get to spend with them.

Keep us posted, please.

 

[blumarine916]

Update : It’s Day 4. Today she looked a bit more energetic when I picked her up at the clinic. Vet even said Meffy has enough energy to attack them when they were doing the Sub-Q. Once we arrived home she immediately checked her food bowl. I bought a pack of Temptations in case she didn’t want anything else. Gave her about 5 she ate all. Then gave her some canned food mixed with boiled chicken she ate a tiny bit of that too. Then she waited for more Temptation. Fine…gave her 5 more pieces mixed with her usual kibble but she is not fooled . I’m just glad she eats something. Hoping she eats more tomorrow.
Look at all that water weight!

 

[Furballsmom]

Sending tons of love, Meffy!

 

[blumarine916]

Is it normal for her to prefer sitting alone at the balcony outside? She’s been doing this since 2 days ago. She usually sleeps there during the day but now she even hangs out there alone.

 

[Furballsmom]

She may be looking for a comfortable, comforting place that gives her peace and calm.

 

[FeebysOwner]

I saw that you have joined the CKD forum affiliated with Tanya's web site! Good for you! Just don't panic over what they tell you, these people are very good, but they can come across a bit 'forceful' at times too! I won't interject in the conversation you have going with them, as many of them have been around the block with CKD a lot longer than me. But I will be following...

After reading the posts on the CKD forum, it got me to thinking if there is any possibility that she ingested something toxic - which could explain the suddenness of this illness? That would be labeled more as acute kidney injury, if treated quickly and aggressively damage can be avoided.
Tanya's Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic Kidney Disease - Acute Kidney Injury (felinecrf.org)

 

[blumarine916]

Day 4, she came back looking a bit better and she also ate a bit. But later that night she just kept to herself, preferring to sit out at her cushion at the balcony. I tried to get her inside but after awhile she went out there again all night

There’s also an odour on her, like urine.I notice the fluid they put into her didn’t get absorbed well because now it’s 7am and she’s still quite puffed unlike 3 days before. I didn’t notice her using the litter box. Is this normal? She did so 3 days ago when we arrived home.

I thought the sign of her eating was positive but she’s just looking more poorly. Purring but no grooming either today
I’ll be taking her to the vet again today for her treatments.

 

[Furballsmom]

Is this normal?

No, not normal from my experience. Talk to them about about this when you get there.

 

[FeebysOwner]

I personally think that sub-Q fluids, when given too often, can be a bit too much compared to IV fluids. IV fluids go into the system/blood stream in a slow drip, the sub-Q fluids are given in tissue and have to be absorbed over time.

 

[blumarine916]

I personally think that sub-Q fluids, when given too often, can be a bit too much compared to IV fluids. IV fluids go into the system/blood stream in a slow drip, the sub-Q fluids are given in tissue and have to be absorbed over time.

Yeah it seems much. I wonder why is it being absorbed so slowly this time compared to when it started. She also has an odour last night.

Is she dying? I really thought she was coming back after seeing a positive improvement in day 3. Oh she did pee a little this morning. I can’t tell earlier bcos both cats are sharing the big box.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Too much fluid via sub-Q will result in slow absorption. The puffiness should be confined to the generalized area where the sub-Q fluids were administered. I wish I could, but I can't, tell you something about what you ask. Did you pose this same question to the CKD forum? I do think there are ups and downs when treating what I think might be an AKD case. I wish I could offer more.

 

[blumarine916]

I saw that you have joined the CKD forum affiliated with Tanya's web site! Good for you! Just don't panic over what they tell you, these people are very good, but they can come across a bit 'forceful' at times too! I won't interject in the conversation you have going with them, as many of them have been around the block with CKD a lot longer than me. But I will be following...

After reading the posts on the CKD forum, it got me to thinking if there is any possibility that she ingested something toxic - which could explain the suddenness of this illness? That would be labeled more as acute kidney injury, if treated quickly and aggressively damage can be avoided.
Tanya's Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic Kidney Disease - Acute Kidney Injury (felinecrf.org)

I read that article. There are no plants in my house and I keep all my chemicals or detergents locked away. It's very cat safe and my apartment is small.

Yeah I totally agree on them being "forceful". It intimidates me so much that I can't stay there for long. I'm already very exhausted going up and down the clinic during my lunch break these past few days. Sleeping is hard and I get weird nightmares.

And my mom just called to ask if I wanted a new kitten bcos the stray Siamese cat behind her house has 4 new babies LOL

 

[blumarine916]

Is it normal for SubQ fluids to flow down to her “arms”? The first 3 days it went below her belly but lately it’s been going down her “arms” so her paws are puffy. I’m not sure if this was why she wasn’t grooming herself. She still manage to scratch my sofa though

Day 5: Came home and I gave her 5 Temptation treats which she ate. Nope to the Fancy Feast but yes to the boiled mackerel. She ate a quite a bit so I’m thankful for that.

 

[cat nap]

Is it normal for SubQ fluids to flow down to her “arms”? The first 3 days it went below her belly but lately it’s been going down her “arms” so her paws are puffy. I’m not sure if this was why she wasn’t grooming herself. She still manage to scratch my sofa though

Day 5: Came home and I gave her 5 Temptation treats which she ate. Nope to the Fancy Feast but yes to the boiled mackerel. She ate a quite a bit so I’m thankful for that.

Yes, it is normal for SubQ fluids to flow into her 'arms'.
The fluid will actually sometimes flow into any spaces, under the skin, where you would not expect it too.

(with my previous rainbow cat, Spotty, it went into his arms, belly, sides, etc.
It freaked me out, the first time I saw it, though, since I thought that I had done something wrong. Then I went online, and found that this was quite normal.)

Will you be trying to do any of the subq fluids at home?
It really is not all that difficult, once you get a routine going, and after the vet techs, show you how.
There are many good youtube videos to watch, beforehand, and afterwards,...that give good 'tips'.

One of the other members, Twylasmom finally found a cat food that worked for her cat.
Have you tried Fancy Feast Wild Salmon Primavera?
Am I overreacting?
Post #26.
Not sure if your Meffy likes pates, grills, shreds, etc?
But it might be worth a try, if she already likes fishy flavours.

Hope your Meffy gets to be feeling like her usual self.

 

[cat nap]

Oh, one more thing, since you are taking Meffy to the Vets, for her treatments...
ask them if it's okay to give your Meffy a vitamin B12 injection...since this is supposed to help with energy, absorption,...and also is supposed to make the colour of the urine become more orange-like.

This way you may notice...which of your cats is using the litterbox, more, ...due to the different colour of urine.
Not sure how much B12 is needed, and also...you can give these injections under the skin, ..at home, too.

Edit to add:...Also buy some Hill's A/D critical care wet cat food for your Meffy, while a the Vets.
You can use this food, in small amounts, to entice Meffy to eat...and also use it to entice her to eat some of the other wet foods...you give her. She could also use this food, until she begins to eat the foods you find that are lower in phosphorus and salt, for her.

(I used it when I had to transition my previous ckd/hcm cat, spotty, because he did not initially like to eat the hills k/d wet food.
It did work, somewhat, except, that he also seemed to lose so much weight being on the hills k/d, but he was different than your Meffy, in that he was diagnosed when having dental extractions done, at age 14. With the ckd and hcm, he lived until 15.5 yrs...so the treatments can definitely slow down the ckd.)

Does your Meffy have any dental issues at all?