I have posted on here before about behaviour, as Lincoln adjusts to living with me. I adopted him in late January from my aunt who has early-onset dementia. He is a senior, but I'm not sure how old - between 12-15. He went from a big house full of kitty siblings to a small apartment with just me, and I work full-time. He has settled in well, though, and I have gotten really attached to him.
I had started to notice that he was drinking more, and seemed to have lost a little weight. I took him to the vet yesterday, and lab tests showed kidney disease.
The vet said the only thing to do is change his diet, and that some cats do very well with this and can live for years. I bought him some Hill's k/d, both dry and canned (he had been getting a mixed diet already). He seems to like the taste of it and ate well last night and this morning, so that is encouraging.
I am so sad and worried. I found Tanya's site last night and started doing some reading, but it felt really overwhelming. I chatted with a good friend who is a vet tech, and she recommended scheduling a follow-up to check him out in a few weeks, and she also said I should ask about Epakitin. I was disappointed that my vet didn't give me more information, and I was too overwhelmed at the time to ask all the questions I'm now thinking of.
I am committed to taking the best care of Lincoln possible and extending his life, and quality of life, as much as I possibly can, but I feel overwhelmed. Are there things I should be doing right now for him, other than just trying to make sure he eats this new food and puts some weight back on? I have a two-week vacation booked in June, but am planning for him to stay with friends that he knows and likes, so hopefully that won't upset his routine too much.
I had started to notice that he was drinking more, and seemed to have lost a little weight. I took him to the vet yesterday, and lab tests showed kidney disease.
The vet said the only thing to do is change his diet, and that some cats do very well with this and can live for years. I bought him some Hill's k/d, both dry and canned (he had been getting a mixed diet already). He seems to like the taste of it and ate well last night and this morning, so that is encouraging.
I am so sad and worried. I found Tanya's site last night and started doing some reading, but it felt really overwhelming. I chatted with a good friend who is a vet tech, and she recommended scheduling a follow-up to check him out in a few weeks, and she also said I should ask about Epakitin. I was disappointed that my vet didn't give me more information, and I was too overwhelmed at the time to ask all the questions I'm now thinking of.
I am committed to taking the best care of Lincoln possible and extending his life, and quality of life, as much as I possibly can, but I feel overwhelmed. Are there things I should be doing right now for him, other than just trying to make sure he eats this new food and puts some weight back on? I have a two-week vacation booked in June, but am planning for him to stay with friends that he knows and likes, so hopefully that won't upset his routine too much.