Just diagnosed with CRF

[Natalie]

My beautiful Willow (14) was diagnosed 8 days ago with CRF. After advice from the vet who wasn't very positive I decided after 12 hours of crying hysterically that I owed it to her not to PTS and to try make her better although I know there isn't a cure. Up until this point she has been a fit and very healthy cat.

I took her last Friday and she had an IV drip for 24 hours and has since had a steroid and vitamin injection but my poor lady still is hardly eating. Its pitiful. She is drinking but only managing around half a pouch of food per day. She is weakening but still able to jump on a chair and purr when I go to stroke her. She just wants to be left on her own and to be honest she looks so so sad.

My question is, how long do I go on just letting her eat only a tiny amount and when do I know whens the right time to make the heartwrenching decision to PTS. I'm in turmoil.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Nat

[Natalie]

Forgot to also add that I have tried her with tuna, chicken, cod, coley and sardines to no avail!

HELP me

[candyshandy]

Hi

Have you tried warming the food slightly, I always found that helped when I was trying to get Fabes to eat his chicken.

Please see the following website - its really helpful for people whose cats have CRF.

http://www.felinecrf.org/

Its a shame Elaine isn't around as she is extremely knowledgeable about CRF.

My cat had CRF but he had other issues too but there are medications that you can try. Has the vet prescribed anything?

[yola]

Hi Nat, I'm sorry you're joining us under such worrying circumstances. As Candice says, Elaine knows a good deal about CRF because she helped one of her cats to live a better quality of life with the disease. She's incomunicado for several days though Don't panic . . . hang on in there, my understanding is that once the initial symptoms are stabilised the disease can be maintained under control with careful monitoring.

Only you will know whether Willow's quality of life is benefiting from the treatment . . . good luck, and don't forget we are a great support network for when you want to cry, rant or just share a happy moment

[Natalie]

Thank you so much girls. I have warmed the food but no difference really. She doesn't like the renal diet either.

The benefits of the steroid injection only lasted a day and the ace inhibitor tablet which she takes once a day isn't making any difference. She isn't weeing much either.

Its such a difficult situation. She is my world. I had her before I got married, had children and she has been through everything with me. Those who aren't a cat lover don't understand

[Moli]

Hi, so sorry to hear about Willow....
This is Elaines article about CRF, hope you find it useful....
http://www.catsey.com/showthread.php?t=25488

[Mags]

So sorry to hear about Willow

I thought maybe you would care to read the following thread where our members were very supportive to another member whose cat had suspected CRF.

http://www.catsey.com/showthread.php...light=CRF+cats

You may well find some very helpful information and suggestions there.

[Natalie]

Thanks for all your help and support.

Unfortunately I think it has all come too late for my beauty. She is going down hill daily and all she wants to do is hide under the table and be quiet. She looks so depressed and is very withdrawn. Poor thing must feel so rotten. Although I would love to try everything I can to keep her going deep down I feel as though we are too far down the line and diagnosis has come very late in the day.

I am not working all weekend so will battle with my gut feeling and see how she goes over the weekend. I want her to live forever but I wont let her suffer either.

It's such a fine line and I'm in tears just writing this.

[angieh]

I am so so sorry for what you and lovely Willow are going through. It is heartbreaking. All of us here understand completely. Others have sent you the link to the CRF site and apart from that I am afraid there is no practical advice I can offer.

You will do what is best for her ultimately I am sure.

[dinahsmum]

Hello. I've just returned from holiday and found your sad post. I really hope things aren't as bad as you fear.
I have a little experience, having had a siamese who lived her last couple of years with a kidney issue and whose final blood test (just 2 weeks before the unrelated tumours which finally ended her life were diagnosed) was within normal range.
She had many many good days and a few bad ones, but mostly we just carried on - she ate lots when she was in the mood and didn't eat a lot when she didn't feel like it, but kept her wight on pretty well.
None of that really helps you - maybe gives me a little credibility to talk on the periphery of kidney insufficiency though. As others have said, what a shame Elaine isn't here - she knows pretty much all there is to know about coping with a crf cat.

One thing that occured to me as I read your OP was that it might be time to change your vet, or ask to see another vet in the practice. They are usually keen to help, so I am saddened by the attitude you found.

There - I've been back and re-read the whole thread to make sure I haven't missed anything. Don't think so. Do you think Willow may have the nasty indigestion they can tend to get with the disease? Antacids (prescribed from the vet) can really help with this. There - I'm back to it again - you need more vet help. It should be a team, you, the vet and the animal. Even if the vet is very pessimistic s/he should still be prepared to have a go, if you are willing to fund the treatment. 2.30 Friday - you'll still be able to get an appointment to see someone else at this afternoon/evening surgery. Give it a go?
Keep in touch - good luck