Kidney Failure And Losing Weight

[bechdu]

So, apparently, I noticed my 5 years old indoor cat - Baekho's weight has decreased from 9lb to 7lb.
I didn't know why, and I was pretty shock because I usually feed him Royal Canin and sometimes boiled/fried chicken, cat's snack, pate,... and he was fine with it. I do give him parasite treatment every 4-6 months so it can't be worm.

But then, not only he's losing weight but he also vomits frequently, like, once-twice a week.

Pictures of him :

- then - 9lb

- now - 7lb

Last week, I took him to the most famous vet clinic in Vietnam (where we live) and they checked him up. The point is Vietnamese veterinarians are the worst, they took his blood in the most brutal way ever, one of the vets even grabbed my cat's neck, made my cat couldn't breath even tho I was there, and I was so disappointed and angry. The following day, a vet from that clinic called me and said my cat has kidney failure, and told me to buy the medicine called "Renovet".

I've read articles about kidney failure. Feeding him dry food is the main cause and it said I shouldn't feed him too much meat too. But my cat is so addicted to dry food. So now I have to feed him rice mix with some cat's pate and Ciao Churu (a kind of cat's treat), he eats a lil' bit rice and all the meat. He doesn't even eat boiled/fried chicken.

It's been a week since the day I give him the medicine the vet told me, and he's still so skinny. He even vomits for 4-5 days last week. His vomit's colour is kind of a mix betwwen yellow-brown... I really don't know what to do. Can anyone please give me some advice? I'll take him to another vet clinic to do another check up but it'll be better if there's someone can help me.

Thank you so much...

 

[Mamanyt1953]

I'm going to put this to some people who may be able to better help you than I can. But you are not alone. We are here, and we care.

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

I've had three kidney cats, and it's a brutal disease. I'll be frank...there is no cure. BUT, it is also not necessarily an instant death sentence. All of my cats lived several ears after they were diagnosed. But they never gained weight back that they had lost, no matter how much I got them to eat

The best thing you can do is become acquainted with this website: Tanya's Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic Kidney Disease - Everything You Need to Know to Help Your Cat It touches upon everything there is about feline chronic kidney disease, including what they should be eating, how to help with the vomiting, what the bloodwork is really telling you (so you need to get a copy of it from your Vet), signs to look for that indicate if he's getting worse, etc.) And I will tell you that none of my cats ever ate the special kidney food that's available. They just wouldn't eat it. Our Vet said it's much better for them to EAT, plain and simple, than to eat the kidney food. If your little guy will only eat his regular food, then there are ways around that...you can add phosphorus binders to his food if you need to. And if he absolutely won't eat wet food, that let him eat dry. He's got to eat. But don't give up on searching for wet food. Is he drinking lots of water everyday? Most kidney cats drink huge amounts of water. Is he doing mos of his vomiting early in the morning? If so, most of us give our kidney cats Famotidine for that. You can purchase that over the counter, I just don't know what it's called in your country, and you need to make sure you get EXACTLY the right stuff. Here is the page of the above website where it is discussed, along with a lot of other stuff on vomiting. Tanya's Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic Kidney Disease - Nausea, Vomiting, Appetite Loss and Excess Stomach Acid

 

[mewcatmew]

5 is pretty young for CKD, sometimes high blood pressure, undiagnosed urinary tract infections, diabetes, or high thyroid hormones can cause kidney issues as well. Do you know if these were included in his bloodwork and if a urine culture was taken? Of course it could be CKD, but with a cat that young, I would want to cover all bases.

 

[bechdu]

I'm going to put this to some people who may be able to better help you than I can. But you are not alone. We are here, and we care.

Yes I'm pretty confused and worried now so I'd love to get some helps. Thank you so much.

 

[bechdu]

I've had three kidney cats, and it's a brutal disease. I'll be frank...there is no cure. BUT, it is also not necessarily an instant death sentence. All of my cats lived several ears after they were diagnosed. But they never gained weight back that they had lost, no matter how much I got them to eat

The best thing you can do is become acquainted with this website: Tanya's Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic Kidney Disease - Everything You Need to Know to Help Your Cat It touches upon everything there is about feline chronic kidney disease, including what they should be eating, how to help with the vomiting, what the bloodwork is really telling you (so you need to get a copy of it from your Vet), signs to look for that indicate if he's getting worse, etc.) And I will tell you that none of my cats ever ate the special kidney food that's available. They just wouldn't eat it. Our Vet said it's much better for them to EAT, plain and simple, than to eat the kidney food. If your little guy will only eat his regular food, then there are ways around that...you can add phosphorus binders to his food if you need to. And if he absolutely won't eat wet food, that let him eat dry. He's got to eat. But don't give up on searching for wet food. Is he drinking lots of water everyday? Most kidney cats drink huge amounts of water. Is he doing mos of his vomiting early in the morning? If so, most of us give our kidney cats Famotidine for that. You can purchase that over the counter, I just don't know what it's called in your country, and you need to make sure you get EXACTLY the right stuff. Here is the page of the above website where it is discussed, along with a lot of other stuff on vomiting. Tanya's Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic Kidney Disease - Nausea, Vomiting, Appetite Loss and Excess Stomach Acid

I'm sorry for hearing that you've had kidney failure cats. It must be very hard.

Yes I'm giving him wet food (the pate/cat treats mix with some rice) now. I tried to mix some broth to the rice 2-3 times to make the food wetter but he refused to eat it.
I did't get the chance to see the bloodwork, the vet only called to tell me about the bloodwork result because "your cat is not that sick", the vet said. I guess I'll go to another vet to do the bloodwork again.
I don't think he drinks lots of water. His urine smells really bad and it has a kind of deep yellow colour. He sometimes urinates in my stuffs too.
My cat vomits before or after meal (usually after), mostly in the afternoon/at night.

I'm reading the pages you gave me and it's pretty helpful. What famotidine brand you usually use? What's the dosage should I give my cat? He's 7 lb btw.
Thanks for your help.

 

[bechdu]

5 is pretty young for CKD, sometimes high blood pressure, undiagnosed urinary tract infections, diabetes, or high thyroid hormones can cause kidney issues as well. Do you know if these were included in his bloodwork and if a urine culture was taken? Of course it could be CKD, but with a cat that young, I would want to cover all bases.

The vets only did the bloodwork, they said bloodwork result could show almost every diseases/illness. But since he keeps losing weight, I'll take him to another vet. The veterinary supplies and equipments in Vietnam really sucks and so many pets have died under the hands of inhuman vets, that's the reason why I'm calling for helps, since I can only read 'bout treatments in developed contries - where people treat animals right, and try to find the best solution for my cat.

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

I did't get the chance to see the bloodwork, the vet only called to tell me about the bloodwork result because "your cat is not that sick", the vet said. I guess I'll go to another vet to do the bloodwork again.

You paid for the blood work, you should be able to get a copy of them. I would CALL the Vet and ask them to send yo a copy. them maybe you can post a copy here so we can read it and help you with exactly what it means. Of course, getting a second opinion never hurts

I don't think he drinks lots of water. His urine smells really bad and it has a kind of deep yellow colour. He sometimes urinates in my stuffs too.

This sounds like he is NOT drinking much, and is possibly dehydrated. Do you know how to test for dehydration? You pull up their skin and see if it "tents". If it does then they are dehydrated, very common in kidney cats. But is this smell and color of his urine a change from the past? If so, your Vet definitely needs to know that. It could be something other than kidney disease. Could be something as simple as a Urinary Tract Infection (also common in kidney cats), and the urinating on your stuff is an indication of a UTI. Did they test his urine?

My cat vomits before or after meal (usually after), mostly in the afternoon/at night.

Hmmm. Well, that could be related to his food, or to an underlying issue. Doesn't really sound like stomach acid if he's vomiting AFTER eating. If it's immediately after eating, is he scarfing his food? If he's eating too fast, cats will often then regurgitate their food within about 15 minutes. But if it's longer than than, it may be a food intolerance. BUT whatever it is, there are medications for vomiting that are available

I'm reading the pages you gave me and it's pretty helpful. What famotidine brand you usually use? What's the dosage should I give my cat? He's 7 lb btw.
Thanks for your help.

With one of mine, I actually gave him Pepcid A/C, just like it discusses on that website. 1/4 of a tablet. I believe that website says to start at 1/4 tablet every other day and then work up to more if it's tolerated (and needed). With one of our other cats, we actually used prescription famotidine and gave it to her in shot form. The Vet instructed the pharmacist in how much to tell us to draw up into the syringe. I can't remember now because it's been over a year since we lost her.

 

[PushPurrCatPaws]

The vets only did the bloodwork, they said bloodwork result could show almost every diseases/illness. But since he keeps losing weight, I'll take him to another vet. The veterinary supplies and equipments in Vietnam really sucks and so many pets have died under the hands of inhuman vets, that's the reason why I'm calling for helps, since I can only read 'bout treatments in developed contries - where people treat animals right, and try to find the best solution for my cat.

It's important to also do a urinalysis along with blood work. I'm glad you will be trying another vet!

Some of these symptoms (weight loss, vomiting) could also indicate diabetes among other things --as a poster also mentioned--, and a urinalysis could show if he has any glucose in his urine. If he was addicted to dry food in the past, it's possible that diabetes could be one thing to look into.

(Am I the only one who doesn't know what "Renovet" is? Could that be Rena-Vite?)

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

Or RenAvast. I just presumed it was RenAvast

 

[bechdu]

With one of mine, I actually gave him Pepcid A/C, just like it discusses on that website. 1/4 of a tablet. I believe that website says to start at 1/4 tablet every other day and then work up to more if it's tolerated (and needed). With one of our other cats, we actually used prescription famotidine and gave it to her in shot form. The Vet instructed the pharmacist in how much to tell us to draw up into the syringe. I can't remember now because it's been over a year since we lost her.

It's important to also do a urinalysis along with blood work. I'm glad you will be trying another vet!

Some of these symptoms (weight loss, vomiting) could also indicate diabetes among other things --as a poster also mentioned--, and a urinalysis could show if he has any glucose in his urine. If he was addicted to dry food in the past, it's possible that diabetes could be one thing to look into.

(Am I the only one who doesn't know what "Renovet" is? Could that be Rena-Vite?)

(it is Renovet btw)

And guys, I went to another vet today. They don't have the bloodwork result yet, but there're neither stone in the kidney nor bladder, and lots of protein in the urine.
So the vet said it might be lymphoma or amyloidosis, and they're both really bad.
There's no treatments for both diseases, and it's kinda like cancer.
There will be the bloodwork result by tomorrow.

I'm doing research about both diseases and I just...

 

[PushPurrCatPaws]

oh no. Sending lots of good wishes

Please keep us posted, bechdu

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

Too much protein in the urine is called Proteinuria. This can be caused by many different things, including diabetes. Or kidney disease, which doesn't have to mean there are kidney stones present. I would not start panicking before you get the final test results. AND, if it IS Lymphoma, depending on which type, we actually have cats here on TheCatSite who DO receive treatment for it, some with excellent results.

When will you have more information? We'll be anxiously awaiting another update.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

Echoing mrsgreenjeens , don't borrow trouble! But do let us know as soon as you reasonably can! We are here for you.

 

[bechdu]

oh no. Sending lots of good wishes

Please keep us posted, bechdu

Too much protein in the urine is called Proteinuria. This can be caused by many different things, including diabetes. Or kidney disease, which doesn't have to mean there are kidney stones present. I would not start panicking before you get the final test results. AND, if it IS Lymphoma, depending on which type, we actually have cats here on TheCatSite who DO receive treatment for it, some with excellent results.

When will you have more information? We'll be anxiously awaiting another update.

Echoing mrsgreenjeens , don't borrow trouble! But do let us know as soon as you reasonably can! We are here for you.

UPDATE :

Guys, the vet sent me this email today, here's the stuff :

"Good morning,

We tried to reach you by phone this morning but I suppose you're at school.

We received Bech Ho's results : in fact, surprinsingly, he doesn't have kidney failure. The values are normal. But his blood protein's rate is low, which confirms that his kidneys are not able to keep proteins in the blood. Normally, urine doesn't have proteins, because the normal kidneys will filter them and keep them. But for Bech Ho, his 2 kidneys can not keep the protein, that's why yesterday when I analysed the urine found many proteins. And that's also why he loses some weigh despite a good appetite.

second point is that both kidneys are bigger than normal, and their aspect at the ultrasound isn't normal also.

There are few hypothesis that combine those 2 symtoms - proteins in the urine and big kidneys. It could be or a tumor or a degenerative or congenital renal disease. For all those disease the treatments are disappointing because they don't work well.

Unfortunately, making the difference between a congenital problem or a tumor involves to perform an exam we can not do here in Vietnam : biopsy - it means we take a small piece of the kidney and we sent it to a lab.

I contacted a colleague I had in France in the past, who's specialized in ultrasound and working with many specialists. She may will have a usefull advice.

I'll call you as soon as I get further information, before the week end I hope. If you have some questions until then please call the clinic, my colleagues will talk to you in Vietnamese.

Best regards,
P"


Well, apparently, the bloodwork result shows that there's nothing wrong in my cat's blood. But in the urine there're lots of protein, and when the vet did the ultrasound, I could see that there're some black things in his kidneys. His kidneys are really big too, I could see the kidneys when the vet touched his belly.

So my cat doesn't have kidney failure, it isn't diabetes, but it worse, and "the treatments don't work well" hits me hard tho.

About the Lymphoma, I've read that the treatments don't work with some cats aye. This is so heart breaking.
But we still need to see what kind of disease it is tho.

And guys, thanks for your concern, I appreciate it. :<

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

I'm sorry that you still don't have all the answers you're looking for, but at least now you've got more Vet's involved, even one in France. Perhaps even though you won't be able to get that kidney biopsy done, together they will be able to at least TRY some treatment plans and give your little guy a chance . I have been reading that sometimes a change in food (lower protein and sodium), plus adding in Omega 3's can help, however it's always best to treat the cause, and that's still the unknown here

Hoping the french Vet comes up with something that helps

 

[Mamanyt1953]

I don't have anything very helpful to add, except that I am still here, and I care, and lots of and for both of you!

 

[bechdu]

I'm sorry that you still don't have all the answers you're looking for, but at least now you've got more Vet's involved, even one in France. Perhaps even though you won't be able to get that kidney biopsy done, together they will be able to at least TRY some treatment plans and give your little guy a chance . I have been reading that sometimes a change in food (lower protein and sodium), plus adding in Omega 3's can help, however it's always best to treat the cause, and that's still the unknown here

Hoping the french Vet comes up with something that helps

Yes, I'm really upset because they can't do the biospy test in Vietnam tho. And I'm glad this vet is enthusiastic and takes it seriously. And the vet sent me another mail today to tell me about some treatments we can do.

I don't have anything very helpful to add, except that I am still here, and I care, and lots of and for both of you!

Aw thank you It's really hard these days. My cat and I feel blessed.

UPDATE :

So, the vet sent me an email this noon, these are some hypothesis (from the mail):

"- lymphoma (cancer). We don't have chemotherapy drugs here in Vietnam for feline lymphoma. But steroids are part of the chemotherapy treatment, so at least we could try that and check-up. Steroids will not treat the cancer but they will normally reduce the inflammation for a while.
- Chronic glomerulonephritis (it means chronic inflammation on the kidneys). This inflammation can be due to :
- prior stones in the kidney (your cat may had stones in the kidneys in the past and they made damages on them. The treatment for stones and crystal is to change the food and give a specific one, it'll dissolve the stones),
- auto-immune inflammation (it means Bech Ho's immune system is over-reacting and creates a useless inflammation on the kidneys. The treatment for it is high-doses of steroids)
- or a bacterial infection (the treatment for it is antibiotics, but I don't think your cat has infection because I've checked his urines and didn't find any germs on them).
- FIP (feline infectious peritonitis). This one is a virus and it can create an inflammation on the kidney. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for this disease and 95% of the cats die, and steroids can increase the disease."

It is really scary to read those hypothesis, and very upsetting to not knowing what kind of disease my cat has to deal with.

And these are some treatments:

"What I suggest is 2 weeks of treatment with :
- specific food to remove stone and to protect the kidneys.
- small dose of steroids, in order to be active in case of lymphoma and auto-immune glomerulonephritis
- antibiotics
- follow-up in 2 weeks by email before the end of the treatment (you give me some news and you weigh him in order to know if he's still losing weigh or not). If the treatment works, we'll continue it."

Well, I'll go to the vet tomorrow. And, from the bottom of my heart, thanks guys.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

We are here. We know that you will, given Viet Nam's limited options, do the very best you can for your kitty!

 

[bechdu]

Hey guys, just wanna do another update
So Bech Ho's 2 weeks treatment ended and I've just taken him home from the vet after a check up. Can't believe it but he gained 2 grams and his kidneys is less swollen. The kidneys' size dicreased from 4.2 cm to 3.6 cm. And he has only vomitted twice in 4 weeks, which is less than before.
The vet said this is a good sign.
I was given an advice of giving the Royal Canin Urinary food for him only, I mean, he gained 2 grams by eating this for 4 weeks.
He's still skinny and his health is still bad but I just hope for the best.
Thanks guys for your concern towards my cat.