20 year old cat with CRF, suggestions for feeding

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Bonnie Boo

Bonnie Boo

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In January 2008 my Bonnie passed and I got some very helpful advice here at FDMB over the two years of her treatment for diabetes.

Now my cat Spot is in need of some help. Spot is 20 years and about 9 months. He has been with me for 20-1/2 years. It has all been good, no actually amazing. 6 years ago Spot was diagnosed with CRF and has been on lactated ringers every other day for 6 years. He has not cared for any CRF foods and he has eaten everything to his choosing. His CRF has been under good control with just the ringers. He has never had a crisis with the CRF beyond the initial diagnosis.

Three years ago he was diagnosed with a heart murmur that has been mild for three years. For the past 6 months he has had a slow heart rate at the Vet's office. The Vets have noted that the heart rate "should" be elevated during a Vet visit. For the past month or so Spot has had on and off vomiting and it seems to be coming from beyond the stomach. He has lost a great deal of weight, though the weight loss has been happening gradually over the past six months. With the vomiting the weight loss has picked up. Spot's eating and drinking were good even up to the vet visit. On the last vet visit described below the Vet detected an arrhythmia.

Unfortunately when the vomiting arrived our household was in complete turmoil. All the humans were sick and on antibiotics and outside issues overwhelmed us.

The last vet visit was one week ago yesterday, Monday. We went home with two shots of anti-nausea medicines (Cerenia and the Pepcid AC) on board and instructions for administering the pill form of Pepcid AC and some pills of the Cerenia. There was a break from the vomiting for a day or so. I gave a dose of the Cerenia but that did not seem to help, then a few doses of the Pepcid AC with some minor success. We had an old prescription for an appetite stimulant, Mirtazapine which the vet said had a component for settling the stomach, and he got a dose on Saturday. He threw up sometime after that dose. Now with no meds Spot has not vomited since Sunday. His eating comes and goes. He does better after lactated ringers. So he got a regular dose of ringers on Monday and a small dose last night. He still eats, small amounts, drinks, and pees.

I have prepared myself a few times to put my guy to sleep but he keeps eating, drinking and going out to visit the neighbors.

What can I feed him? To put him to sleep now seems so heavy handed, especially since he has so many conditions that should have undone him by now and he shrugs them off.

Your kind words and suggestions are appreciated.

Sara
 
Try feeding Spot the Friskies Special Diet foods. Witn was a CRF/Diabetic kitty and when she was diagnosed with diabetes, I switched her over to the Friskies Special Diet. The only flavor I did not feed her is the Chicken and Gravy because of the carbs. She was on this diet for several years before she finally went to the bridge at the age of 19. During the time she was eating the Friskies, both her kidney values and BG levels remained stable, with almost no decline at all in the kidney values. You can also look at Janet & Binky's food list and look for foods with a phosphorus level around 200 or less.
 
My Merlyn ate canned Wellness for his CKD.. and when he was diagnosed with Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy I just eliminated the Chicken Herring due to its Sodium content. So mainly the Turkey, Chicken, and Beef Chicken, with a treat of Turkey Salmon. He was on sub qs from mid 05 to when I had to send him over the Bridge. :sad: It was his heart, his kidneys were stable.

Low Phosphorus is the key.. staying btwn 200-250 range on Janet and Binkys charts and around 1 percent on the Cat Karma charts here:
http://webpages.charter.net/katkarma/canfood.htm
those arent updated very much but it will give you ideas..

Sending cyber hugs.

oh, edited to add that you might ask about having the fPLI run to rule out pancreatitis.. Spots symptoms ARE suggestive of being related to the CKD but also pancreatitis.
See Jojos Pancreatitis post here on the old board:
http://www.felinediabetes.com/phorum5/r ... 722,876722
 
Hi Sara, Just curious, is Spot receiving some vitamin B complex either by injection or in his SubQ fluids? I nursed a CRF + hyper-t kitty, Kelli, for the last year and a half before she died (just one month after her 21st birthday), and our vet injected the vitamin B into the bag for us. It's been a few years and I may have the rationale a little wrong, but if I recall correctly, she said that CRF cats typically have vitamin B deficiency.

We administered her SubQ fluids every 2 and a half days and we could see a definite difference on how those vitamin B's really perked her up - she ate like a horse.

The only caveat to injecting the vitamin B's into the bag is that they are denatured by exposure to light so we would hang the IV bag on a coat hanger covered by an upside down paper lunch sack and store in the back of a dark closet when not in use. :idea:

HTH
 
Thank you all for your kindness and your feedback. I wish I had known about the B vitamins a bit earlier. Spot handled the CRF so well that we just kept moving along with what was working. The B vitamins may have been a good boost about 9 months ago.

Sadly the day wore on and Spot was not good and my greatest fear moved into his suffering at passing. With my heart shattered I made the decision to bring Spot to the vet and free him. The vet was very compassionate and Spot was at ease the whole time. My husband and I ventured through this passing together. Afterward I was at peace and so relieved that Spot suffered not one bit at passing.

I wish I could say everything I know about this precious creature, but at 20-1/2 years I could write a book. Here I can say that Spot was a friend to all that met him and he touched many lives, human, feline and otherwise. Life will forever be changed for his loss and all the more so for his huge presence in my life and all those he touched.

Thank you all. Please be good to yourselves and those you meet.

Sara
 

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Sara, my most heartfelt sympathy on the loss of your dearly loved Spot. What a wonderful long life he had but it never seems to be enough. You knew when it was time to help him on his way and he passed peacefully in your arms. That is all any of us can ask....that we know when to make the decision, that we are there with them and it is peaceful. Many years, many memories, many tears ahead but he knew he was loved....always remember the love. My heart goes out to you and all who knew and loved Spot.


sympathy.jpg
 
I am so sorry for your loss.

Spot was well loved and cared for. You gave him a great gift.

May you have wonderful memories to comfort you...

...'til you meet again.
 
OH NO!!! I am so sorry for your loss. Wrapping you in cyber hugs. Spot is flying free now, whole and healthy over the Rainbow Bridge. rb_icon

wings_cat
 
You are an amazing Bean to have such a lovely tribute to a life well loved and shared. Thanks so much. We would love to hear more "Spot" stories if your heart will allow.

Fly free beautiful kitty. I'm sure you're with Bonnie Boo and waiting to be reunited with the bestest Beans a kitty could ask for.

jeanne
 
Sara, I'm so sorry for the loss of dear Spot. Sending sympathy and a big cyber hug your way (((((BIG HUG)))))

You gave him the best gifts a bean could - a long and healthy life, care and comfort when he was ill and a peaceful release with no pain. What a wonderful life!

Fly free Spot, and land softly. rb_icon
 
Sara,

I'm so, so sorry to hear of your loss. 20 years is amazing and you should be proud that you did everything you could to help Spot and had the courage to let him go with dignity.

(((Hugs)))

Becky and AJ
 
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