Positive Thoughts for Cat

[Annika]

Hi Everyone.

I hope this is the appropriate forum to post this, if not, my apologies.

Anyway, my feline child (Sam) was diagnosed a month ago as being in the early stages of kidney failure. It is a terminal illness, but it is also possible to maintain his health for quite some time until the disease progresses further. Last month the vet prescribed a diet change in the hopes of regulating how much his kidneys are working. Today he has his first check-up to see if the new diet is allowing what is left of his kidneys to function more along the lines of normal.

Naturally, I'm really nervous about the whole thing. So, any positive thoughts sent his way would be very appreciated.

**hugs**
Annika

[Mithrea]

Coming at you hon. I really know how hard this must be.

[Phoenix Blue]

**Hugs for Annika and Sam**

My mother almost lost one of her cats to urinary tract blockage. She got him on some vet-prescribed Science Diet food, though, and he made a full recovery and lived for several years afterward.

If you have male cats, there are very few foods that are safe to feed them--IAMS and Science Diet are sure bets, but you should also be able to feed them anything that's for urinary tract care. Most other cat foods use ash as a filler, which over time will block the urinary tracts of neutered male cats. I have two male cats, and IAMS is the only thing I'll feed them. :) It's more expensive, but my little guys are worth it!

[Old Witch]

Good thoughts and positive energy for you and your Sam.........

[Myst]

I've been there, Annika, though in my cat's case his condition was too far gone. Gods permit that this new diet helps.

[WandererInGray]

*hugs* For you and Sam, Annika. *smiles*

[Rubi Waters]

Annika my thoughts and energy are sent out to you & sam!!

[Azure]

Hmmm.
My cousin works for IAMS, let me see if he has any recommendations. . .

In the meantime, I'll send good energy your way!

[GoddessViviane]

*hugs*
I hope everything works out well!
I shall light a candle.
and pray
*bows head*

[materra]

Aw, dang it, poor little guy...warm hugs for you and Sam.... :sunny:

[SpikesPet5150]

The same thing happened to my neighbors kittie, hon. He lived a full and happy life with a diet change. Energies being sent your way... hugs to you and your kittie!!
~Bree

[Annika]

Thank you all so much!!!!

Sometimes I think I am very fortunate to have found this place (or been directed towards is a better word choice since I followed another friend's lead to MW). Comfort comes in all sizes, and I appreciate all the kind words, thoughts, hugs, energy and prayers.

Sam is definitely my baby, and I know there will come a time when I'm faced with a very difficult decision since I will not let his quality of life suffer. I'm just hoping that day can be prolonged a little while. I've done tons of reading up on his disease, and if he responds favorably to treatment, I may still be blessed with a couple of years to spend with him.

His appointment went well (I think). They didn't have to keep him overnight for further testing and I will know the results either tomorrow or the next day. The unknown is always scary, but I'm hopeful. The vetrinarian seems to think we caught this at the very earliest stage.

The only cause for concern is he has lost 6 ounces (every ounce counts nowadays) since his diagnosis last month. He protested to the change in food, but out of the two brands (one is a strain of Science Diet called Prescription Kidney diet, and the other is Hills Modified Renal formula) he is finally warming up to one of them.

Anyway, I'll let everyone know once I hear something. Thanks again, you are all wonderful!!!!

Annika

[SpikesPet5150]

You should ask your vet about feeding him baby food. I called my neighbor after I posted... to see what they did. And she said her vet told her to feed him baby food. It has all sorts of nutrients for him.. without being too difficult to digest. Please keep us posted on your kittie!!
~Bree

[Raynewitch]

Oh thats awful :( Id be devastated if anything happened to my kitty - and Im not even a cat person! This one just kind of happened upon me and made me love her to bits ;)

Positive thoughts and energy for you and Sam...hope he is around for a long while yet!

[Faolan]

I will definately send thoughts and light a candle for you and your baby. I've never had a cat be seriously sick before.. only had them run away.

Though there -was- that batch of kittens that one of my cats had when I was younger. All died except one.. and I came home and ended up watching one die while screeching in pain.. I was too young to know what to do.. I just stood there and watched it.. *shudders* we buried him in the backyard under a large stone..

[Annika]

Sam's diet seems to be working!!!!! His test results came back very positive. His BUN test was at a 43 last month and is now down to a 35, which is good.

Thanks again to everyone who sent their thoughts, hugs, energy and prayers across the miles towards Sam and I. I really do appreciate your kindness.

Bree, the idea about baby food is a good one. I'd actually read about that option on a website I stumbled across that was set up to inform people about CRF cats (cronic renal failure, which is what Sam will eventually have.....its so early in the stages that he's just considered to have renal insufficiency.....so his kidneys are just beginning to not work as they should to eliminate the toxins in his body).

For those of you who have already lost a beloved feline (or any other animal for that matter) **big hugs** go out to you. And Faolan, I'm sorry you had to experience something so devastating at such a young age.

Annika