Update on Tom...Please send vibes

[angier106]

I went to visit him today and she seemed in good spirits.
He recognized us and started meowing and eating.
Then after I left the vet, I got a call because they were doing blood work.
It turns out that his kideys starting to fail.
The Vet did say that between 1-10, Tom is at 3rd or 4th stage.
She said that he'd probably live two more years with proper supervision and special food.
Again, anybody with cat who've had this, have they gone on to live years?
Thanks.

 

[jcat]

Sorry the news wasn't so good. Lots of for Tom!

 

[yayi]

More

and for Tom!

 

[catlover73]

Sorry the news was not better vibes for both of you. I had a male senior cat named Claude who was diagnosed with CRF but in in 2006. I do not remember what stage he was in though when he was diagnosed. He would not eat any of the prescription foods and I was told to feed him a decent quality wet food.

Claude lived until August of 2010 when he had to be put to sleep after he had a stroke. He lived to the age of 15. He seemed to be dealing with the CRF fine. He was a little bit thin but he was the runt of his litter and was always on thin side any way.

 

[jalindal]

I'm so sorry to hear that the results weren't good. I did a lot of research to figure out Mackerel's ARF recently, and there are some really great websites and resources available- I think there's a sticky at the top of the health forum with a link to a great CRF site.
->Tom

 

[farleyv]

I am sorry you have received this news. Try to learn what you can about this. As you see, kitties can go on for quite a while with the right care.

You are in my prayers. for your Tom

 

[ruthyb]

I'm so sorry for this bad news but I know there are a few people on here who have CRF cats and they I am sure will be able to give you some fantastic advice and I know that yes with the right diet and care Tom will live on for maybe more than a couple of years. Continued vibes for you.xx

 

[angier106]

Thank you all! I'm glad that my Tom may be around for time to come.
He is already 5 yrs old.
My main concern is that he is an outside kitty.
I will now have to make him feel comfortable indoors as he was used to roam around.
Once again, thank you for the vibes!!
Angie

 

[my4llma]

I'm so sorry the results came back with bad news.

 

[feralvr]

Sorry about Tom's diagnosis. There are many on this site with experience in having CRF cats, I have not, who will be able to offer you great support. The sticky in the health forum is a great resource chocked full of information on CRF too! Lots of

to you and Tom

 

[angier106]

Just came back from seeing my boy!
He looks so alert, not like when I took him in.
When he saw my mom and me, he looked so happy, meowing, rubbing his little face on my finger. Then he ate for us.
They will do another blood test tomorrow and he might come home with his new diet.
Vet now tells me he "may" hang on for another 5 years.
Thank u all for the vibes and I hope his blood test gives us better news.

 

[angier106]

I am a nervous wreck because Tom has been in the garage since he got home from the vet on friday.
I worry that he might get bored and that something can happen to him in there.
Can cats be happy being in the same room all day?
When I go see him, he greets me with a meow. Could he be trying for me to take him out?
Also, the Vet has him on the KD dry and can food.
He is not eating well.
When I gave him the normal dry food and other canned food he'd eat very well.
I don't think that he likes this new food.
Any alternatives that I can give him beside the KD food?
Another thing, since he came home, my other cat, Mixy is afraid of him!
They were always so close now Mixy smells him and runs away.
Why wouldn't she want to hang around with him again?
He had been gone for an entire week.
Maybe she thinks that it is a new cat?
I want to take him outdoors but give him his meds and special food.
Would there be a great risk that he'd get sick again from his kidney problems?
I just want him to be happy and not deprive him.
I did buy a leash so that he could be outside and couldn't get away and eat other foods that may harm him..
Is his Kidney problem contagious?
If he'd be outside, would Mixy get it?
I love my Tom so much but I want to do something so that he can be well, no risks.
I want to give him a better life.
Maybe I can find someone that can keep him indoors, not the garage, and supervise him better?
Thanks.

 

[white cat lover]

Kidney problems aren't contagious. As far as not eating the food - talk to your vet on that. See if they can get a different brand prescription diet.

If he eats other things other than his prescribed food, yes it could affect his health. The KD is designed to help prevent their renal failure from advancing too rapidly.

He seems different so Mixy doesn't know he is the same cat. For now when you take him outdoors, to ensure he doesn't get away, keep him on harness/leash. It is very important that he be monitored closely & keep getting his meds w/o missing a dose.

 

[rad65]

Mixy is smelling the vet on him, whic is a strange and scary smell to most cats. That smell will go away and Mixy and Tom should be fine together. As stated, kidney problems aren't contagious so it isn't necessary to keep him separated. The KD food or some prescription food is necessary though, because it contains the right nutrients and structure Tom needs from now on. Talk to your vet about him not eating though, there may be other prescription food that works and that he'll eat.

 

[angier106]

Thanks.
I hope that the smell that Mixy is afraid of is gone soon so that they can be together.
Angie

 

[angier106]

I want to update Tom's contiditon.
Please tell me if you feel that he is improving. (He has early state kidney problems)
He has been peeing in large "balls" on the litter box.
He has gotten an appetite and is eating wet food, not the prescribed medication.
He wouldn't eat that.
I bought him Friskies Ocean Whitefish, diet which helps with the tract infections.
I was trying to feed him the KD prescribed food.
He's alert and does go outside for a while.
Is it looking good for him?
I am concerned about one thing.
The vet prescribed Methigel but I was reading today that it should not be given to cats with kidney disease.
Should I continue giving him the gel?
Thanks.

 

[my4llma]

Originally Posted by angier106

The vet prescribed Methigel but I was reading today that it should not be given to cats with kidney disease.
Should I continue giving him the gel?

You should give the vet a call about that.

 

[angier106]

I will call and ask.
He finished one of his meds (zeniquin) today.

I sill have that gel and the Azodyl tablets.
Mixy is still a bit afraid when she smells him.
Good thing is that they were sitting close to each other for a while.
Thanks.
Angie