My cat is not alright...Vet cat food questions. Anyone have experience?

[PhotobearSam]

I also osted this on the CB board.

Took my cat to the vet the other day and just got back the results of the urine and blood tests.

She has early stages of Kidney problems (failure is not the word i guess).

I have been told that they are compramized by 70% because that's when they can finally see it in the tests.

She is 14 1/2 but I am so upset. She my only girl and i tend to defend her and nurture her a bit more because she has 2 brothers to deal with. One of whom is 14 1/2 and from the same litter and the new kitten who is 8 months old.

The vet has recommended that she go on a Vet cat formula called Medi-cal. I tried giving her a bit of it and she seems like she would eat it. I was feeding her Technical (very simular to Science Diet and made in Canada) and I thought I was doind a good thing.

The new stuff is $50 for a bag and the old stuff was $38 for the same size bag. It's not a cost thing. I would like some proof that this food is good and is going to help her. I would pay whatever it costs but is there a better food out there? Have you had any experiences with this?



Has anyone here had a senior cat switched to a Vet brand dry cat food, did it help?

I am grief striken and she is still fine, I know I won't cope well when she goes...Someone please make me feel better...

Also, I was told a long time ago to not feed my male cat anything that had fish in it as it could hurt his urine tract. I never did and he has never had problems. Now the new food has some fish and I am affraid that I am tading one benefit for one deficit...?

 

[PhotobearSam]

I have been having a hard day today. I can't stop crying and I feel a lot a guilt. Like if I would have had more money back when I got her, I might have been able to give her better than Whiskas until she was 6. ( I was still in school when I got them and I bought the only food I could afford)

As soon as I would get a better job, I would switch the cats to better food. I figured that if I could get better food they should too. I went from Wiskas to Performatrim Maintenance and with my next better job, they went to Technical.

I keep thinking I did something wrong. I should have treated her better. I am not handling this well at all.

I told the vet that I will pay whatever it takes to keep her well. As long as she is not suffering, I will do everything I can. At least I can afford that now. I don't care what it costs but I will only keep her alive as long as she is not suffering. I could not bear to see her in pain.

I wish I knew how long I have with her. The vet said some progress very quickly (5 to 6 months) others can go several years (She has seen some who live another 6 years or more with a god diet and no pain). The vet does not think I have to worry right now but I can't help it.

Sorry to be so blue but I am really upset. I am sure that it's because my Mom was diagnosed with colon cancer in November but she is now cancer free. I had not really let go of that and now this. it's been a tough couple of months.

Thaks all,
Samantha a Heartbroken mother to a very special furbaby...

 

[madonna31]

I just want to start by saying I am so very sorry. I know first hand how hard these types of situations are. Pets are family, period.

I found this website when I first found out that my dog is epileptic. They were so very helpful, and I'm sure they will be in your situation as well.

http://p086.************/bpetscoop

I'll be saying prayers for you and family.

 

[madonna31]

Are you serious? The DIS censor's a website about pets??? Whatever...

PhotobearSam, I sent you a PM with my email addy. If you want the link, just email me and I'll send it to you that way. (((((BIG HUGS)))

 

[3GIRLSMOM]

I had 2 geriatric cats that lived to be 19/20 yrs old with this. The male himalayan had urinary /furball issues and my female 1/2 siamese was a neurotic garbage eater and had many surgeries for bowel obstructions.
This probably wasn't the be all and end all but seemed to help improve their general health and disposition. I was very happy with the results and currently feed me 2 cats medical preventative just based on past experience.
Best of luck
Cathy

 

[rpbert1]

sorry to hear about your cat, Photobearsam, we have had our now for 18years, she has cost us a lot of money over the years.
About 3 months ago she was having problems with going to the loo, and was passing blood when going for a P. we thought it might be her kidneys and we went to the vet who did blood tests.She had a urinary tract infection and they also did blood tests, unfortunatley with the infection her tests came back normal and had to wait to get more done when infection had cleared, now turns out she has a Thyroid problem , which apparently is very common in Teenage cats. she is on tablets now and is doing well although need another test in 2 weeks to check her levels.
Did they do a thyroid test as this apparently it can effect vital organs in their body, as the thyroid keeps everything working, and healthy in the body. Just a thought

 

[LisaS]

I'm sorry to hear about your cat. I know how you feel. One of my cats had kidney disease. We were lucky because in his case it progressed slowly. We were able to manage it by feeding him a kidney-friendly diet (Science Diet k/d) and making sure he drank plenty of water. We set out water bowls for him in several areas of the house and washed and refreshed them frequently so that there was always plenty of fresh water to tempt him to drink. He preferred to drink from a running tap or from the faucet in the bath tub. Many nights I got up at 3am because he was yowling in the bathtub because he wanted a drink and I was willing to do anything to keep him hydrated. He died 2-3 years after being diagnosed, but it was from cancer and not from kidney failure. He was about 16 3/4 years old at the end. Had he not had cancer, who knows how long he would have been with us.

There is a lot of info out on the web. This site is specifically about kidney disease in cats: http://www.felinecrf.com/

Petplace has an article on renal failure in cats: http://www.petplace.com/cats/chronic-renal-kidney-failure-in-cats/page1.aspx

I do hope your cat is one of the lucky ones where the disease progresses slowly, and who is willing to eat a kidney-friendly diet since we all know how finicky cats can be. Keep us posted.

 

[SandraC]

Our old cats were 15 and 16 when they died. We have 2 new cats and a dog....still not the same....although having a dog is like having another kid. I still miss the old cats.

Try not to feel guilty....a 14.5 year old cat is going to have health problems.

I feel for you....xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo


S

 

[tone.def]

Feel no guilt!!!

I have a 16 year old cat who I rescued 4 years ago from some crazy lady's basement and he ate mice and whatever she left out for him.

In December when he started having bladder and bowel problems, I took him to the vet and the vet put him medication and on Medi-Cal food and there was a difference in a few days in the shine in his eyes and the feel of his coat.

I will never feed any cat now anything less. Even my pudgy 8 year old tabby eats it and is running around like a kitten again.

 

[OntFamily]

Techni-cal and Medi-cal are made by the same company.......

They used to be owned by Martin Pet Foods (and then Heinz), but they were sold a few years ago to Royal Canin.

 

[PhotobearSam]

but are they different? I hope they are but how can I be sure I am giving her the best I can? Is there any other "Vet" quality brands or is this it?

 

[sammi]

Samantha I'm sure your vet is doing the best by getting your cat onto Medical.....our Willy has been on Medical preventive for urinary crystals for quite a few years now and has been doing really well on the food and I bet you that your cat will too!

It's so hard to see them grow old and then start to have the health problems that develop, because we love them sooo much and they become our "kids"

Hugs to you and your fur bay!

 

[jtdl]

The difference food makes to a cats health is unbelievable. I have a male cat who has been urinating throughout the house and my belongings for 7 years. I had taken him to 2 different vets. The first one would take a urine sample and put him on antibiotics. This went on almost monthly for a couple years. Then I switched to another vet who told me it was behavioral. I would have to live with it. Just 3 months ago I heard good reviews about a new vet who opened practise very close to me. I went to her and she did bloodwork, urine test and said that although there were blood cells and cystals in his urine there were no white cells to suggest an infection. She asked if I would just try a bag of the food she sells for urinary problems and see if anything changed. Her diagnosis was that the crystals were very painful for him when he urinated so he would try other places to urinate thinking it may not hurt. Well after one week on this food he stopped urinating, other than in his litter box, and has not gone anywhere he shouldn't since. For 7 years I had this cat peeing on beds, couches, shoes, clothes baskets full of clothes, etc. and all it took to stop it was a change of food! So I would go with whatever food your vet recommends, they really are formulated for different problems and they work!

 

[PhotobearSam]

That is sooo great. You must be so releived.

I want to give her the best food.What brand did your vet sell? I was just wondering if there is a better brand over another.

My vet only sells medical. I will use this if it's the one, but is that the only vet brand fod out there or is there any better? I will be calling other vets in neighbouring towns to see if this is the way they all go.

I hope this is the answer but if there is even better (even if it's more expensive) I want to know about it.

i am like this with everything. I always need to know every option before I am sure in my heart. You should see how difficult I am when buying a car...

thank you all for your advice.

As for Moozer, she is back on laxatives as she is still having some difficulty but she is still as lovable as ever (at least to me, she hates everyone else including DH. As my Mom would say, only I would love a cat like that...)

 

[jtdl]

My cat is on UR/ST/OX formula. The brand is Purina Veternary Diets. My vet also sells the Medi-cal formulas, but I guess based on my cats problem, she thought the Purina brand was optimal for him.

Yes, I am so relieved. I was beginning to get extremely fed up with having to throw things out and/or wash blankets, etc on a daily basis! Good luck with your cat, I'm sure she'll make out fine

 

[minnie56]

I have 2 cats and an old dog all on Medi-Cal. Cats are on Weight Reduction and the Dog on Gastro Formula. In my opinion, it's very good food.

Here's hoping that your baby will improve soon. As another Poster mentioned, a 14.5 yr old kitty is bound to have issues. Sounds to me like you are on the right track to helping her feel better!

Now relax..and know that all that love you have for her will see you both through this!

 

[deany]

So sorry that I cannot give you any advice as I have two dogs and have never had a cat. I just wanted to say how sorry I am that your cat has had these problems. One of our dogs was sick with a urinary tract infection last year and it took her at least six months to bounce back. We love our pets so much, they are really a part of the family. Best of luck with your cat.

 

[Step]

My cat has been on Hills prescription diet C/D for " Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease, Struvite crystals"

She loves it, and she hates cheap food. She acts like we're feeding her cat treats every day, lol.

Also, as far as your younger cat, I suggest putting him or her on an insurance plan. It helps to have coverage regardless of a financial situation when your baby is ill. We pay about $30 a month to cover yoko, plus we pay for her annual checkup every year. It seems like a lot, but I'd rather pay for that once in a lifetime $3000 operation over time, than not have it later you know? I think it's cheaper to put several cats on one plan, but they won't cover pre-existing conditions.

 

[PhotobearSam]

Thank you all for your kind thoughts.

Moozer is as well as can be exected. She is loving all the extra attention I have been giving her.

She and her brother Bebe(baby in french) have taken well to the new food and we have been giving Chewie extra kitten food to supplement him. They all seem to like it very much. Moozer is hard to please as far a fod goes but she loves this stuff.

Bebe is now on Metacam for his joints and is already doing better.

thank you all for reassuring me. I kept feeling like I was losing her but now I know that she is going to be around for at least a while and maybe years so I just want her time to be the best ever.

 

[TashaRVT]

14 years old? She's just a baby! I'm a Registered Veterinary Technician, and we have lots of cats at my practice that are well over 18 and 19 - we have one that just turned 23!

Cats with kidney insufficiency can live long and full lives, so don't lose hope. The best thing you can do now is you feed her a high quality, low protein diet, try to encourage her to drink plenty of water, and take her to her doctor every 6-9 months to have her bloodwork checked to see if her kidneys are getting any worse. Believe me, what you fed her in her younger years most likely didn't have had any effect on her kidney damage; it's an unfortunate part of aging.

It's actually not true that MediCal and Technical were made by the same company; being OWNED by the same company doesn't mean they're being MANUFACTURED by the same company. MeciCal is a superior diet, and yes, it does cost quite a bit more. The main difference is that you can get a low protein diet (theirs is called MediCal Reduced Protein) that's also made with a very high grade of protein that going to be alot easier for ailing kidneys to deal with and filter. Hill's (they make the Science Diet products) also makes a really good diet called k/d, in case MediCal doesn't go over so well!

I have a whole whack of info I could pass onto you to lend you a helping hand if you'd like, just let me know. Don't start mourning just yet, like I said, you two probably have many years together yet!