Acute Kidney Failure

[spac]

I need help ASAP, please.

My 9 y/o cat is in kidney failure. I guess it started with proteinuria a while back. The vet didn't know what was causing it and neglected to tell me I should change his diet.

About a week ago he stopped eating and I took him to another vet last Friday. I got the results of his blood work and urinalysis Monday and it's bad. His creatinine is 10 (anything over 2.6 is abnormal). They're doing IV fluids during the day at the vet clinic and I bring him home overnight. They don't seem to be doing anything other than giving him fluids and offering food. They told me they would syringe feed him if he doesn't eat, but they haven't done that despite me asking numerous times. They also said they would be giving him other things and I'm not sure they have. They gave him an appetite stimulant and it didn't work. I think they gave him Cerenia.

I'm also concerned they're giving him the wrong fluids (sodium chloride) and giving too much. He seems to be well hydrated at this point, but his behavior at home is worse since starting IV fluids. He's hiding under the chair.

I was syringe feeding at home until he started IV fluids. But he fights me and I can't get enough in. I could barely get in 180 kcals a day. I pureed the food and gave 12-14 mL every hour, but it wasn't enough.

I called a few other vet clinics, but some don't do IV fluids anymore. Others weren't sure if they do them or not (they were puzzled when I asked). The ER is unaffordable. I'm gonna try calling other clinics on Thursday, but don't expect much.

I didn't think treatment would work, but I don't want to let him die. I see spark in his eyes, but he is tired and something else I can't describe. He gets annoyed when I keep offering food to him. I wanted to selfishly give him a chance. I'm not sure what I should do. I don't want him to suffer, but I'm not quite ready to give up.

Any suggestions? Should I be syringe feeding him? It seems like I should and that I should add a phosporus binder like aluminum hydroxide to his food. His phosphorus is high. His potassium is slightly low.

 

[silent meowlook]

Hi. It sounds like you have a very sick kitty. With the creatinine so high, and your cat feeling so poorly, not eating, hiding, it honestly sounds like you need to have him hospitalized at a 24 hour facility for care. I do understand that isn’t an option.

There are specialty hospitals and universities that can handle such cases, but they are not inexpensive.

Of course your cat needs to eat, but I don’t know that fighting to get food in is the best option. It causes stress to the cat and you, and destroys any trust.

Would have to see the bloodwork to guess why your vet would want to I use NACL instead of LRS.
That being said, I am not a vet, so would only be guessing.

I am sorry this is happening. Has the vet given you any idea of what is going on? Have they done any diagnostics other than blood work? Have they checked a blood pressure? An ultrasound of the kidneys would be great, but that should be done with a specialist.

The bottom line is, that even with the best of care and if you had unlimited funds, you still might not be able to help your cat.

Acute kidney failure is usually brought on by an event that damages the kidneys, such as toxins or a cat unable to urinate. If the cause is removed, the kidneys have a good chance to be able to function. With chronic kidney disease it is more of a decline in kidney function over time. Usually that sort of damage cannot be repaired, but you can do maintenance to improve the quality of life for the cat.

Do you have anything the cat could have got into? Plants? Human medications? Topical medications? Is your cat indoor or outdoor?

 

[di and bob]

Bolus hydration, under the skin, can be done by you at home and is much cheaper. Did they suggest any kidney supplements to give, they may help. I would just keep looking for a canned kidney food that he will eat on his own. Stress is a HUGE factor in bringing on kidney problems. it sounds like he is going through a lot of stress right now. Reduce that and you will reduce his problem.

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

Just backing up a step, when your little one was diagnosed with proteinuria and the Vet didn't suggest a diet change, there really isn't a specific diet for that. I had a cat with that once, and the Vet wasn't able to advise me on what to do . But I don't think there would be a correlation between that and ACUTE kidney failure, since ACF comes on quickly and is normally caused by injury or them eating something they shouldn't, like certain plants, certain human medication, or even antifreeze.

Here is a website strictly on kidney disease in cats, and this particular section is devoted to Acute Kidney Failure. It discusses causes, and treatments, among other things: Tanya's Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic Kidney Disease - Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)

for your little man. I've had three cats with Chronic Kidney Disease, but their creatinine never got near 10! Hoping the continued IV hydration helps.

 

[silent meowlook]

Unfortunately, subcutaneous fluids won’t help with a creatinine of 10.