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loss of weight

I've had my cat to the vet. It's not thyroid. Its either kidneys or cancer. He still eats and drinks. Need to know what I can feed him to help him gain weight. Any suggestions?
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7052683 tn?1392938795
.......and so the cycle continues! Released to the universe, in the most peaceful way. He will always be with you in spirit, please believe that.

This was Willie's TIME!

Rest in Peace sweet Willie ...you have left your mark in this world . You will do the same in the next?

Please know you were his savior here on earth, Karen. Without you and your love Wille would never have lived this long.

Love and Peace in Life.
CML
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506791 tn?1439842983
Sad to read, I hope your fond memories of Willie shall be of some comfort.
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Avatar universal
thank you for all your support through this difficult time. Willie  had a good morning. Then I came home and found him sleep where he has slept away.my heart is broke. I knew it wasn't good, but it still hurts
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Avatar universal
thank you for your prayers. I have been feeding him anything good and bad that I can get him to eat. He still losing some weight. I just I am so worried. The bed when I last time I talked to him said he couldn't do anything more.I know one thing I will never take another cat up to the person who is the vet. It makes you lose confidence in them. Just please continue to pray
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7052683 tn?1392938795
Hi Karen,

I would give your little man ANYTHING his little heart desires . Even junky, smelly food that is not normally healthy for cats. I think he may have come to that point of no return in Kidney disease, and all you can do now is LOVE<LOVE<LOVE him until he lets you know he is ready to leave you.

I could and hope I am sooooo wrong, but I would have a heart to heart with you vet and let that be your guide.

He is young at 10, but that is still a senior. Know this in his time reference he has lived 100 years with a mom who gave him everything any cat could ask for ---a home--profound love-and the care to live his a wonderful quality of life. He is on e of the VERY lucky ones.

Keep us posted and praying for you both.
CML
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Avatar universal
well he is not eating as much solid food has what he was. So I bought him chicken broth and also I've been making him drink pediatric electrolyte water. I wish I knew what more I could do for him. I even had a meeting Fancy Feast cat food with broth. But he seems not like to eat it anymore. But he seems to like the chicken broth any suggestions?
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495284 tn?1333894042
I dont have anything to add just wanted to let you know i am thinking of you and Willie and hoping he starts to gain some weight~
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7052683 tn?1392938795
About the protein???? Good to know O. My reference book needs some updating.

Egg Shell Powder?????  Wow ! I am impressed!!!!! Can I be your "Cat"!!

I do not even do special preps for my husband.........does that say anything about what unconditional love will get you, LOL!!

_____________________


Karen,

10 years is still pretty young. Acute kidney failure can sometimes be reversed, once they find the cause of the stress on the kidneys---just a thought, but also more money for tests--UGH!

As long as Willie has a mom that cares as much as you he can live many more good years with the proper care.
We are all pulling for your Willie---sending good energy your way!!!

CML
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242912 tn?1660619837
COMMUNITY LEADER
The Azodyl is better, but that will work.  Be aware though, this is an antihistamine and while it Did increase Jade's appetite, it tended to make her very drowsy and drunk like.  Either you have already found this out, or your kitty didn't have the same reaction.  

Good luck!
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Avatar universal
Thank you for all your sugesstions. The vet prescribed mirtazapine to increase appetite. Willie is 10 years old
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874521 tn?1424116797
actually the old school abt a diet lower in protien is no longer advised...at least by many Vets, mostly the holistic ones.

its said CRF cats "traditionally cats with crf were put on low protien diets in the belief that this would place less strain on the kidneys. but low protein diets can harm any cat, including one with declining kidney function. recent practice has shown that keeping phosphorous levels in check slows down the progression of kidney failure, but lower protien foods don't help and can, in fact exacerbate muscle wasting. the challenge is that a cats natural diet consists of MEAT, which is natually high in phosphorous, here are some ways to get around this problem.
- feed meats LOWER in phosphorous, such as chicken and turkey
-use EGG SHELL POWDER(I will tell you how) to balance phosphorous levels in  meats...this is an oral phosphate binder.

Since I make homemade cat food for one of my boys who needs a special diet, I use Egg Shell Powder(ESP) as a binder. this is how it is made
-wash egg shells after removing the egg(raw not a boiled one), dry the egg shells in oven for a few minutes...just until they are well dried and crumble easily. next put them in a small blender or anything that will pulverize them and make into a powder.

a good guide line is for a 5kg/11 lb. kitty they will need 300-500mg ESP that is between 1/7-1/4 teasp. mix in with the food.
you can use this table to increase or decrease depending on your kitty's weight.

I also want to mention the Azodyl I asked abt earlier. Has your Vet mentioned putting him on this? Azodyl is a probiotic that helps slow down uremic toxin buidup and supports the kidneys, its very important to use this. Many in the holistic field order Source Naturals Life Flora rather than the expensive Azodyl your Vet sells. unfortunately it is out of stock right now, I asked for notification when it is again avail and can let you know. meanwhile ask your Vet to prescribe Azodyl. He may also recommend Rehmannia 6 a herb that also supports the kidneys. I am trying to find another source for this.

these are all my recommendations only...always follow the advice of a Vet you trust first
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242912 tn?1660619837
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi karen...my kitty Jade who recently passed was dealing with CRF.  She was getting monthly B12 shots to cope with IBD, but they are also a big help with appetite.  

And as CML and Opus stated, extra water is crucial.  Place water bowls/cups in every room so it's readily available.  Cats are much more likely to drink if it's right there.  
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7052683 tn?1392938795
Hi Karen,
I am going to assume your kit is up there in age. If cats live long enough Kidneys will begin to fail.

Please make sure he always has fresh water. He needs to drink excessive amounts of water because his kidneys are not capable of holding the urine. Therefore excessive urination leads to excessive dehydration.

The diet of uremic cats should be high quality but lower in protein to minimize the amount of nitrogen that must be excreted by the kidneys.
Special diets are available (ask you vet) . Large amounts o B vitamins are lost in urine , so Vit B supplements might be indicated.
Sodium bicarbonate and a phosphorus binder, such as Amphogel may be prescribed to lower the serum phosphorus.
ALL of the above info needs to be discussed with your vet to see if this is advisable for your particular kit's case.

Whenever you need to know what will help your kit through this, your vet should be the first one you turn to.

Please keep us posted on your little guy's health. We right with you.

CML

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874521 tn?1424116797
I am so sorry for all you and kitty are going thru, does sound very much like it could be renal failure, they still have the appetite but continually loose weight. I'm not real familiar with this disease, but I know with medication and a good diet they can still have some good years.
there was an excellent site that I always refer everyone too....but for some reason I now see its down. I found another one that I havent read thru real well but it does have some info...I will give that to you, I will also tell  you that is is very important that you keep him on a good source of protien...preferably chicken and NOT byproducts CML gave you some real good brands to try. any canned food that the first ingredient is meat and not meat byproducts, also get one that is GRAIN FREE for your kitty needs nutrition and NOT fillers
Did you read the site I sent you above on nutrition? I will copy and paste what Dr Pierson writes abt kidney disease Quote:

    probably the leading cause of mortality in the cat.  It is troubling to think about the role that chronic dehydration may play in causing or exacerbating feline kidney disease.

And remember, cats have a less than optimal water balance - especially CKD cats that are losing a lot of water via their 'leaky' kidneys - when they are on a diet of predominantly dry food.  The prescription dry 'renal diets' such as Hill's k/d - which are commonly prescribed by veterinarians - contain only a small amount of moisture (~10% versus 78% for canned food) leaving your cat in a less than optimal state of water balance.

I have no other word for dry 'renal' diets other than "atrocious" given their water-depletion, low protein amount, and the low biological value of the protein (plant vs animal-based) that they are comprised of.  I would have to be stranded on a desert island with no other food source before I would ever consider feeding these diets to any cat in my care.

Regarding hydration, I must say that I find it truly amazing when I hear about the very large numbers of cats receiving subcutaneous fluids while being maintained on a diet of dry food.  This is an extremely illogical and unhealthy practice and every attempt should be made to get these cats on a diet that contains a higher moisture content.

Please also note the following list of the first four ingredients of Hill's dry k/d after reviewing this section on reading a pet food label - and bearing in mind that your cat is a carnivore.

This diet (or any other dry 'renal' diet) would never find its way into a food bowl owned by any cat in my care.

The first three ingredients are not even a source of meat and the fourth ingredient is a by-product meal which is not necessarily an unhealthy source of protein but it would be nice to see some muscle meat ("chicken") in this product.

    Brewers rice, corn gluten meal, pork fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), chicken by-product meal

The purpose of this 'prescription' diet is to restrict protein which, unfortunately, it certainly does.  However, please understand that there are no studies showing that restricting protein to this level will prevent further deterioration of kidney function.

'Renal' diets restrict protein to the point that many cats - those that are not consuming enough of the diet to provide their daily protein calorie needs - will catabolize (use for fuel) their own muscle mass which results in muscle wasting and weight loss.

This internal breakdown of the cat’s own muscle mass will cause an increase in creatinine (and BUN) which needs to be cleared by the kidneys. The rise in creatinine and BUN, and muscle wasting, can lead to an often-erroneous conclusion that the patient’s CKD is worsening.

Of course, the same deterioration can occur in any cat that is not consuming enough protein, but the level of protein in these diets is not only at an extremely low level, it is in an incomplete form for a carnivore.  Note that they are often made up mainly of plant proteins - not meat proteins - especially the dry versions.

this is the other site I found that gives symptoms as I said I haven't studied this site so can't vouch for all that is said, go thru it and read for info purposes.

has your Vet tried the medication called Azodyl? I will learn more abt this and reply more later and anything else I can dig up...

    http://www.felinecrf.com/what0.htm
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Avatar universal
I call the vet's office. I told him the medication they had him on seem to work a little bit but now he's still not gaining weight. They're going to give me medicine I forget what the name of it is to help increases appetite but the vet did finally say that he was pretty sure it was his kidneys failing. What other home remedies are out there that I can to to try to extend this life?
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7052683 tn?1392938795
Hi Karen,

We hear that so often. I am just not sure what these vets are doing with this money. You would think after that much spent they would have definitive answers.....and this is where you come in as your cats advocate.

You must go back to that vet and tell him you WANT a diagnosis. You are not going to pay him more money, he should have enough info to o be able to make that call. If he can't you will go to another vet.

Sometimes A teaching Veterinary School can be found in your area. They are great., and they work with you on payment because they are a teaching institution, and learn from each new case.

We all know  how frustrating this is, so if you need a place to vent we are right here.
Keep us posted...you need answers NOW!

Good Luck!
CML
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Avatar universal
What's so aggravating is I have spent $500 in vet bills with no results.
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7052683 tn?1392938795
Hi Karen,

Very sorry to hear you kit is losing weight with no verdict from the vet. Very frustrating, Huh?

Well I know since I have started my cat on Weruva cat food she has gained enough weight that my Vet wants her to loose some. So it is a good bet it will work for your kit. They have there is not a lot of filler in it but they are all very good with lot's of gravy (Thus the weight gain). Natural Balance and Wellness are also good nutritious alternatives. Perhaps the Vet can give you guy some appetite enhancing supplements.

If you do not mind me saying ---Your Vet should give you a definitive answer to the question of kidneys or cancer. It is just not right not to know what you are dealing with, and if it is Kidneys there are certain diets and meds they he could be on.

Please get tests if needed to find out what is going on with your guy. He needs you to be his advocate--some vets will just not look for answers , but you NEED them to take care of your kit.

Good Luck and Please keep us posted--by the way if your kit is up in age it would not be surprising if it were either of them. That seems to be normal for elder cats. So he is making just a good guess.

Hoping he gets his appetite back,
CML

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874521 tn?1424116797
like the name...lol. I think my house is literally a cat house too..they just allow me to live with them.
I could give you a few short answers to your question but I'd rather send you the long very informative reply. I ALWAYS refer to this website when it comes to nutrition plus many other issues.

please read and click on Dr Piersons links you'll be glad you did. whatever the ailment, always feed canned over dry and a good source of protien not the meat by products:(
good luck, post anytime if we can help

http://www.catinfo.org/

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