Renal Food

[tamsynstead]

My CKD cat has had to revert to renal food, which he now eats, but his stools are always small, soft and light in colour. I give him Krill oil capsules, B Complex, Methycobalamin, and CBD for his hypertension. I've also grown wheatgrass for him which he constantly nibbles at. I'd been giving him Miralax but have now stopped as he's defacating. I think the problem may be his gut health, due to the renal (pap) diet, but of course cannot change this. He's constantly drinking and I'm not having him on SubQ, two of my dogs were on that and died shortly afterwards. I feel the stress for the animal far outweighs any short term benefits. I've also decided not to have him locked in a box on IV for a week every month. I was reading through the daily messages I had been receiving from the clinic and although they'd got him eating again, the outcome 'no poo today' every other day was the same. Could it be he needs a pro/prebiotic? I've tried to talk with my vet about this but his only answer is to admit him for IV, which doesn't solve the problem or even address his stool. In the meantime, cat is active but does look poorly and I'd like to know if something's missing from his supplementation. Any advice welcome.

 

[GranolaLouise]

I have a renal cat and I received gloom n doom news from 3 vets. Someone on the forum suggested finding a specialist. I made an appointment at a local animal hospital with an Internal Specialist and what a difference! After the specialist appointment, they send you back to your vet and the 2 work together for your pet's welfare. It was not all that expensive, but most likely cheaper than those IV overnight treatments.
I am just saying what helped me and perhaps trying that will help you too.

 

[FeebysOwner]

You could look for low phosphorus foods and try those instead of the renal diet to see if that improves his stools. Renal foods generally serve two purposes, to lower the phosphorus as well as the protein. The latter is not really considered appropriate anymore for older cats, including those with CKD.

There are so many folks who either cannot get their cats to eat the renal food or have their cats tire of it quickly, so they are placed in a position to find something else. The food charts from Tanya's web site might be something for you to look at.
Tanya's Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic Kidney Disease - Diet and Nutrition Overview (felinecrf.org)

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

I see no reason why not to give pre/probiotics. Many people here do give them to their cats. I do, and did when I still had my kidney cats. And I use human ones.

Are you giving any mainstream medication for the hypertension?

As far as sub-q fluids, I get it. We did that we our last two kidney cats, and have decided if we ever have another one, we probably will not do fluids. I know I always tell people here that they are easy to do, and they are, but as I've grown older and probably more pragmatic, I've decided sometimes you've just got to let nature take it's course. And a lot depends on the cat too. As you said, if it stresses them out, then which is worse, the fluids or the stress ? But I'm wondering about that week in a box getting IV fluids? What's that about? I thought fluids via IV only took about 48 hours, and also thought that was only when they were in crisis.

As far as food, if he's eating the renal food, is it the wet version? If so, great, and perhaps you could add some water to it to help with hydration. If it's dry, then I'm totally surprised about the soft stool since kidney cats are typically constipated, and can't see anything you are giving him that would make a difference in that unless you JUST stopped the Miralax. But I have never heard of renal food causing soft stool, although anything is possible.

The fact that he isn't looking good, but is active is concerning. Have you had bloodwork done lately to make sure everything aside from his kidneys is in order. I would do that if you haven't. Maybe something else is out of whack.

 

[tamsynstead]

I have a renal cat and I received gloom n doom news from 3 vets. Someone on the forum suggested finding a specialist. I made an appointment at a local animal hospital with an Internal Specialist and what a difference! After the specialist appointment, they send you back to your vet and the 2 work together for your pet's welfare. It was not all that expensive, but most likely cheaper than those IV overnight treatments.
I am just saying what helped me and perhaps trying that will help you too.

Sorry for the delay in replying. My new vet specialises in cats (he's training in cardiac surgery part time). I'm constantly bothering him with questions via a messaging app when my nerves get the better of me and he always responds at length straight away. The only thing we disagree on slightly is the IV/Sub Q. I had three dogs go this route, very stressful/expensive and they all died anyway. They were rescues, same this cat, (which I had on IV when he stopped eating months ago and wouldn't do it again), well they just turned up (as they do here in Thailand). Cat currently on B Complex tonic, probiotic, krill oil capsule and CBD oil every day. Currently lacing his awful renal food with kitten food (which he loves) and will recheck his phosphorous in a couple of weeks, Has been normal so far so here's hoping as the phosphorus binder makes him poorly and his behaviour (hiding) changed back to when he was on renal food only, so stopped it. I trust THIS vet, the rest are simply mills here and the last very expensive one missed his periodontal disease. Thanks again for your response. Btw, have read that feeding a COOKED egg white or whole will help rebuild muscle mass as high in protein but low in phosphorous so may give that a go too, if he'll eat it.