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Keeping kidney kitties alive: It’s easy to needle ‘em!
By Gina Spadafori
August 18, 2009
If you’re missing Christie around here, you’re not alone. She’s still dealing with the sudden loss of her dog Rebel, and still dealing with a family health crisis. In short, she’s a wreck. Send her your best thoughts. I know she can use them!
Of course, when you’re a free-lancer you have to keep writing no matter what. I know she and her laptop have been a regular fixture at the hospital. Been there, done that, and I also know you look back one day in utter amazement that you managed to string together sentences that actually make sense.
And Christie’s always do. This week for her “Your Whole Pet” column on SFGate.com, she writes about how nursing cats with chronic kidney disease at home is not only possible but can also add years of high quality life:
[F]eline kidney failure is a treatable disease. And while many animal diseases can be treated if the owner has enough money and is willing to spend it, what’s usually needed to treat feline kidney failure is not huge amounts of money, but the willingness and ability to give the cat that care at home.
“I’ve seen even very sick cats, cats who needed hospitalization in the beginning, do really well on home care with an owner who was willing to give it a try,” said Dr. Patty Khuly, a Miami veterinarian and noted animal health blogger. “What makes the difference in how well a cat with kidney failure does is not how sick they are, or how bad their kidney values are on a blood test. It’s the attitude of the owner.”
Yes, that Dr. Patty Khuly. What can I say? She gives good quote.
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Firstly, my sincerest best wishes to Christie during this present stressful/awful time in her life.
Secondly what a very ‘upbeat’ article that was really. Well done. Thankfully, I don’t have a renal cat (at present) among my ‘special needs’ kids. I have no doubt though, if I live long enough one is bound to come along sooner or later. Whenever we get a diagnosis of anything serious it’s so easy to panic, give up and leave it all to the vet. There is very often a lot of help, an owner can do by being pro-active. It’s not always easy, but it’s so rewarding. Health care does not only happen at the vets surgery. There’s more to caring for a sick animal at home than just administering pills.
Comment by Alison — August 18, 2009 @ 2:27 pm
As usual, Christie’s column has brought out a few pet-hating losers who feel compelled to trash anyone who cares for a pet.
I know she doesn’t usually read comments on her SFGate columns, but I’m glad she did this time. Talk about an effective STFU:
***
Me again: Why people who hate pets feel compelled to read and comment on information for pet-lovers, I’ll never understand.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — August 18, 2009 @ 4:14 pm
Christie, I hope you are doing OK. This will pass (easy for me to say, I know).
SQ fluids are a great way for owners of cats in renal (kidney) failure to keep their cats feeling better longer. You have to get over your fear of needles and ‘play nurse’ for a bit, and you have to make sure you have a cat with the right temperament.
If your cat might fall into the category we call TCFH in the clinic (The Cat From Hell), you might want to discuss alternatives with your family veterinarian.
My own cat was suffering from kidney failure several years ago, and I did SQ fluids on him several times a week. While I think it helped him feel better, he eventually came to dislike the treatments and I stopped.
I think having some help with the process and coupling it with a treat so he had something pleasant to associate it with would have made it better for both of us.
Comment by Dr. Tony Johnson — August 18, 2009 @ 5:42 pm
We’ve done sub-q for cats with wonky kidneys three times over the years … two were easy-peasy, and one never did become wholly resigned. It did help having two people. Also, a cat-bag. And bribes. Bribes never go amiss, I think.
But, the most helpful thing that somehow or other never got mentioned? A proper pole. Not only does it make everything less awkward, but it allows you to set up wherever the cat is most comfortable rather than wherever some substitute can be rigged.
Love is not a zero sum game.
Yes. This.
Comment by Eucritta — August 18, 2009 @ 5:56 pm
“TCFH”! Best acronym since my “Cats For Dummies” co-author (and VIN co-founder) Dr. Paul Pion introduced me to the term “ADR” cat — for “Ain’t Doing Right.”
Oh you top veterinarians and your sciency mumbo-jumbo!
Comment by Gina Spadafori — August 18, 2009 @ 6:56 pm
Hello to everyone,
To Christie, I hope you’re doing well and everything will be fine again :)
I was moved by this article because I remember 2 years ago that my sister had a cat who suffered the same kidney chronic disease…It was so awful to be in that kind of situation but I agree that the attitude of the owner is of utmost importance…Although my my sister’s cat died because of multiple organ failures, she did her best to make Casey (the cat) feel she’s loved in her most painful hours…
I have to commend you Gina for bringing up this very wonderful article. Thanks :)
Comment by Chloe — August 18, 2009 @ 7:48 pm
I went through the whole sub-q thing with my late, much beloved cat Maxwell, and I have to say it was tough. Not that it wasn’t worth it (it was), but the whole process of shoving a needle that *looks* to be the size of a garden hose (it’s not) into your cat is, well, kinda daunting.
Max got about another year of life out of it, mostly because he was so calm and forgiving about the process. But honestly, I can’t imagine how tough it would have been if he weren’t.
So I guess my point is that yes, home treatment for kidney failure (SQ, K, the works) is VERY much worth it - IF you and your cat can handle it. (And don’t assume the cat can’t - from what I hear, most cats handle it better than us owners do.) But my heart goes out to people whose cats just will not tolerate it, bribes or no. That’s a difficult choice to have to make.
Comment by LauraL — August 18, 2009 @ 9:48 pm
Forgot to mention two tips for sub-q fluids:
1. Do it in a bathroom, and use the shower rod for a hanger. The smaller space (and closed door) discourages getaway attempts, and the higher you hang the bag, the better it’ll go.
2. If your vet wants you to give potassium (the white stuff) orally everyday for kidney support, but your cat’s not putting up with it, consider asking your vet to add an appropriate dose to the IV fluid instead. It’s usually about 10 bucks to add it via injection, but in my case, it was SO worth the money not to have to a) fight to get one more thing down Max’s throat, and then b) wipe it off the walls once or twice a day.
Comment by LauraL — August 18, 2009 @ 9:54 pm
Hmmm….I have a new favorite quote, ” Love is not a zero sum game.”
Thanks, Christie, and yes, all of our thoughts are with you.
Don’t forget to take care of yourself. Being a caregiver is tough.
Comment by Liz Palika — August 18, 2009 @ 10:00 pm
To Christie: Thinking good thoughts for you during this difficult time. Cancer is horrible, and no matter what our age it’s so difficult to see a parent ill. :-(
As someone who has cared for a crf kitty, I thought Christie’s CRF article was wonderful! Reading the sfgate comments, the article clearly resonated for so many people. I am a big believer in vet visits (full exam & bloodwork) every 6 months once my kitties get to be 7 or 8 years old — crf is so much easier to treat when caught early.
I also applaud the mention of the Yahoo CRF support group — what an amazing bunch of people! Smart, willing to share what they know and so supportive. When I was caring for my crf kitty, I was too shy to post to the group. When my kitty passed on, I wrote a memorial post and the outpouring of support was so touching.
Comment by karen — August 19, 2009 @ 8:20 pm
“TCFH”! Best acronym since my “Cats For Dummies” co-author (and VIN co-founder) Dr. Paul Pion introduced me to the term “ADR” cat — for “Ain’t Doing Right.”
Don’t let Paul get away with telling you he invented that one - I think it has been around since the Herriot days!
When I came to Indiana, I kept seeing a (boring) variant of ADR which was ‘NAR’; Not Acting Right. Somehow the bad grammar in ADR gets the point across better.
Comment by Dr. Tony Johnson — August 22, 2009 @ 6:00 am
Well, I am here to defend Dr. Paul Pion.
He was right when he said that it is never going to be perfect so just enjoy situations as they are now (paraphrasing as best as I can). He said it on this blog, the dear man did!
I thank him for that, for almost every day I have to remind myself I cannot get things perfectly perfect—been trying for 79 years, now—but maybe next year when I am 80?
Yes, Dr. Pion might have stolen a phrase or two, but I defend his right to do so, especially if it benefits me so much—haha—no offense taken, I hope, dear Dr. Tony:)
Comment by Colorado Transplant — August 22, 2009 @ 12:43 pm
Just got a minishock when seeing the pictures sent to me by my son.
He got a kitten about 4 l/2 mos. old about l and l/2 weeks ago. The family picked out the cat at a shelter.
Lo and behold, it is a tuxedo cat. I had lost my 15yr. old Batman in February. I know he is not reborn into this kitten, but it does seem strange that the young one does look a lot like Batman.
First the president gets a “tuxedo” dog and then my son gets a tuxedo cat.
Gina, I don’t know what to make of all this!
By the way, I just know you will forgive me for being off topic, because you are so understanding and spiritually connected.
Comment by Colorado Transplant — August 22, 2009 @ 6:58 pm