So we have a 10 yo cat, Smudge, who we have had since about one week old that we had to bottle feed. When small he had some neurological deficits but with lots of thereaputic play got over that. Was fairly healthy since other than bad teeth which he had many removed over a couple of surgeries. About 1 1/2 yrs ago he stopped jumping on counters etc and I thought he was getting arthritis as he had no other symptoms. He has always been obsessed with drinking water out of each and every faucet in the house whenever we go near them so drinking a lot had been checked out by the vet early in his life with no problems noted. Finally he sneezed on am and had blood come out of his nose. Took him to the vet and the only thing they could think of was his gums were very infected and they felt it could cause sewelling in his nose or a brain tumor! So they took all his teeth out and got his mouth healed up. No more bloody nose. Then we noticed his eyes were dilated ALL the time took him to vet and found out he was blind. Got around really well for a blind guy! Took him to eye specialist who couldn’t figure out why. After drops etc he continued to have edema in his eyes and bleeding in them so we had them removed. In testing his eyes found he had histoplasmosis a fungal infection from dirt or bird droppings that our indoor only cat got! They said it can come in a window or through the AC. Did chest X-rays and found it was all throughout his body. So he was put on the anti fungal meds and did well, gained weight and got active again and seems to be recovered from that. We are awaiting blood tests to be sure right now. The weekend before Christmas he again sneezed and had a bloody nose. Just the once. Back to the vet. Did blood tests, urinalysis etc etc. They found his BP was really high even though at the time of his eye stuff it was checked and just fine. They also found his urine very diluted and his numbers for kidney function showed stage 1-2 kidney failure. They are putting him on blood pressure meds and recommend a special kidney diet.
So I am wondering if there are any words of experience with the kidney stuff folks can share with me. Is there any over the counter foods that are just as good as the vet kidney diet?? I know with my PKU cat they pushed SO diet, which no cat liked, and through research I found Friskies pate was one of the best foods I could give him for low carb diet. So just wanting to help educate myself more so I can help the little guy live as long and healthy as he can be. Poor guy has certainly gone through a lot in his life.
Sorry this is long but it is a long story! Thanks for any advice.
So I am wondering if there are any words of experience with the kidney stuff folks can share with me. Is there any over the counter foods that are just as good as the vet kidney diet?? I know with my PKU cat they pushed SO diet, which no cat liked, and through research I found Friskies pate was one of the best foods I could give him for low carb diet. So just wanting to help educate myself more so I can help the little guy live as long and healthy as he can be. Poor guy has certainly gone through a lot in his life.
Sorry this is long but it is a long story! Thanks for any advice.
