Re: 1/9 Buzz-AMPS 367
Sarah and Buzz said:
Is a lower-phosphorous diet recommended for most kitties? In other words, do I need to worry about the other 2 eating the FF? I have not gotten recent BW on the 2 civvies because I haven't had a spare $200, unfortunately, so I do not know if they have any elevated values or not.
I wouldn't worry as much about phos values in a kitty that doesn't have renal disease. Yes, trying to stay lower in phos isn't a bad thing, but mainly because then if you do have a kitty that develops CKD you don't have to change the food out where there is already so much going on. My civvie Sweetie, who is 3 years old, eats a variety of food including FF, and I do not worry about phos levels with her. Sasha, on the other hand, who does have renal insufficiency, eats only low phos food. I've not had to add a binder in for her yet, but her phos level has never crossed the 6 threshold either.
I have not had a kitty with CKD before. In fact, these are my first kitties ever, and Buzz is the first pet with an illness that I've had to deal with (save Cassie's mast cell tumor a few years ago). I have been fortunate. I am the kind of person who is overwhelmed by most new (stressful) issues, but once I get a handle on them, I am fine. It's the not knowing, the feeling of powerlessness, that gets me stressed, not so much the thing itself (although that can certainly be a contributing factor
).
I am very much the same way. I more or less got a crash course over the last couple of years with Sasha being diagnosed with things left and right. Out of the possibilities, though, diabetes and renal disease are some of the better things to have to deal with, IMHO. The learning curves are steep, but once you read everything you'll be fine (Tanya's CRF site being one of the absolute most important and informative about every aspect). Plus, there are so many people here on FDMB to turn to also for tips, tricks, and advice.
Because it is the weekend, we got a bag of subQ fluids (along with needles etc) to have on hand in case Buzz won't eat or drink. With the switch to canned food, she rarely drinks anymore. We have been giving her the water from canned chicken and she has been drinking that, and her appetite is back today. She is back to acting normally today, which is a relief. I have never done subQ fluids either, but the vet gave my fiance an explanation, and I know that there are people here who can advise me on the procedure, should it become necessary. The vet said not to give more than 50 mL at a time, no more than every 8 hours (so 3 times a day total, for 150 mL overall). Is this accurate?
So happy to hear she is starting to act better today!
Oral fluids are very important too. Does she have a drinking fountain? It's a good way to encourage more oral fluids, as well as adding as much water as she will tolerate to her food.
Lots of people here to walk you through SQ fluids, as well as videos and this
Fluid Therapy section of the Feline CRF site.
First off, it is great that your vet even suggested giving in small amounts often rather than once or twice a week. She gets kudos for that!
Many people that give 150ml per day split into BID dosing, so 75ml per session. Depends on what works for you.
The
Fluid Therapy section has lots of great suggestions for needle brands that are best (most people prefer Terumo) and how to
Obtain Supplies Cheaply. Needle size and brand can make a big difference on how well the fluid therapy is received by Buzz. She's always sounded like a pretty laid back kitty to me, so just stay calm (first time is the hardest, but it gets much easier after that) and you'll both be fine.
(((((((((((((((((Sarah))))))))))))))))))) <---Just because :mrgreen:
