It's been a few months since we were told that our cat (15 years old) has
major kidney incompetence, as in at least 75% non-functional.  He seems to
be doing much better now than he was, but does anyone else in Grex have
experience dealing with something similar?

8 responses total.

Yes. What would you like to know?

My cat died of kidney failure after rallying from treatment with at-home
IV fluids. It is very common in old cats. There is also a special diet
involved in treatment.

Once, we were able to tell when he needed fluids injected, because he tended
to sit around looking miserable & not eat.  He often didn't complain aboiut
the injections, as long as we did not confine him too closely.  But now he
doesn't do that any more (since about the time cold weather started) -- while 
still too skinny, he eats a fair amount of his own accord, takes proper 
interest in life, and says that injections are painful.  So, what's going
on?  

Are you making sure to inject only just underneath the skin, and not into
his flesh?

We try ...

Rider went to the vet last week for his annual shots, and almost all the news
is good -- he's still losing weight, but much more slowly, and he's almost
fully hydrated, just on his own choice of food and water.  So he really
*doesn't* need the injections right now.  (Also I was vindicated, I thought
he had fleas, and evidence of fleas was found)

I am sorry to hear about your cat.  I have experienced problems with my
dalmation and kidney stones.  His body can't process protein properly so they
had to do surgury to make him urninate like a female rather than the male he
is.  We also have to feed him a special perscription only Science Diet food
which is very low in protein and he can't have many treats because most treats
are high in protein.  Good thing he likes bananas.

I know this is a rather *old* item, but I'm entering here anyway.

My dog, whom I will always call my dog regardless of her having died, passed
on last July from kidney failure.  She was nearing 9 years old, rather young
for her suspected breed types.  (She was a mutt.)  We have had one other dog
in they family, my grandparent's old dog, die of kidney failure.  I'm curious
as to how common this disease is, particularly in dogs...  Have and of you
had dogs, and if yes of what breeds, with kidney problems not mentioned
already in this item?

my 13 year old border collie (rip) had kidney failure
toward the end but it was secondary to a lot of other
degenerating conditions...

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