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Chronic Renal failure (CRF) is regrettably a common, progressive and fatal disorder in the feline, particularly older cats. One of our twelve year old cats, Pooky, started vomiting, had a very poor appetite and was isolating herself in a closet. Around the same time we noticed that she was losing weight. After veterinary examination it was discovered through an abdominal x-ray and blood work that one of her kidneys was no longer functioning and the other was only working at about 30% capacity. We felt guilty that the disease had progressed to this extent without us realizing she was ill. She had been for her annual physical eleven months previously and nothing untoward was noticed. This late diagnosis however is very common with CRF in cats.

Weight loss is often the first thing noticed by the owner and by this time the animal's kidney function can be quite compromised. One of the kidneys' roles is to remove toxic wastes from the blood stream. As they become less efficient wastes accumulate in the body causing the cat to feel unwell. An increase in Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) and Creatinine in the blood signifies that the kidneys are having trouble breaking down protein that the animal ingests. In order to assist the cat's body a diet low in protein will help reduce the workload on the failing kidneys.

Many cats with CRF will increase their fluid intake, others like ours may not drink enough. Either way the damaged kidneys excrete excess fluids causing the cat to become dehydrated. Feeding the cat moist food rather than kibble, may help lessen the problem of dehydration. The other treatment we are required to give our cat is subcutaneous fluids to help flush the toxins from her body. This of course is only done under the direction of our veterinarian. We insert a needle under some lose skin along her shoulder or hip area and infuse 150ml. of sterile normal saline every three days. Although this sounds extreme to some people we do notice she is much perkier after her infusions and her appetite improves. The process takes about ten minutes and she does not seem too bothered by them.

Pooky is a dear little soul who has brought us years of pleasure. We will do our best to support her as long as we feel she has a good quality of life but we are also prepared to let her go when we sense the time is right. We owe her that for all the years of enjoyment she has given to our family.

Learn more about this author, Marie Garner.
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