Introduction

Hello. My name is Helen. I have had two cats with CRF, Tanya and Thomas - you can see their photos at the top of this page. I created this website because I know first-hand how scary the CRF diagnosis is, and how helpless it can make you feel, and I wanted to give people the detailed, practical information which would have helped me when my cats were first diagnosed, all together in one place.

This website is named in honour of Tanya, who was my first CRF cat. Unfortunately Tanya did not receive as much proactive care as Thomas, because at the time that she was diagnosed, I did not know about the treatment options described on this website. Thomas, in contrast, had much more severe CRF yet survived longer than Tanya because he received more proactive treatment.

If your cat has just been diagnosed with CRF,  you may have been told that there is no hope for your cat; your cat may even be in the midst of a crisis, perhaps on intravenous fluids (IV, or a drip) at the vet's. If so, you are probably feeling shell-shocked and frightened; but please take a deep breath and don't give up all hope just yet, because it may be possible to help your cat.

If Your Vet Has Recommended Immediate Euthanasia

Please read the Just Diagnosed? What You Need to Know First page urgently. Unfortunately, some vets are not overly familiar with the latest treatments for CRF, and may recommend euthanasia prematurely. You need to educate yourself and work out how severe your cat's case is before you make this irrevocable decision.  

Aims of Tanya's Feline Chronic Renal Failure Site

This site was originally created primarily to help people in the UK, but it has always attracted people from all over the world, perhaps because the site is quite simple in design yet the most comprehensive site available. I have myself lived with two cats with CRF, so I know first-hand the initial shock of the diagnosis, and am familiar with issues such as persuading a CRF cat to eat, giving them fluids at home, treating anaemia etc. Believe me, I know how you feel. I am English, but I am currently living in the USA. I therefore have firsthand experience of feline veterinary care on both sides of the Atlantic. This site shares all the information and tips I know, in great detail, in order to help your cat feel better and hopefully extend his/her life. 

I am not a vet. My goal is to describe in layman's terms the symptoms which you may be seeing now or which you may see in the future; to tell you what these symptoms and the bloodwork mean; and, most importantly, to educate you about treatments which can often help; all this from an owner's perspective. The site also aims to cover the emotional aspects of living with CRF and to help you to cope with it, including at the end of your CRF journey. The site provides information on an international basis, aiming to help you wherever you happen to live, although in practice much of the information relates to the USA and Europe since these are the areas where the most information and treatments are available. 

The Site Overview - Finding What You Need page provides a brief summary of the contents of each page, but if you are feeling overwhelmed or are tight for time, try the Just Diagnosed? What You Need to Know First page; or just click on the page that interests you in the sidebar on the left. 

Types of Kidney Failure

There are two kinds of kidney failure, Acute Renal Failure (renal means kidney-related), abbreviated  here as ARF; and Chronic Renal Failure, abbreviated as CRF.

ARF is a serious condition which usually comes on suddenly and which is often triggered by a particular event or "insult", such as your cat eating something poisonous. Lilies and antifreeze are both extremely toxic to cats and may cause ARF. ARF is usually treated with IV fluids and other medications at the vet's and, although it is hard to treat, if the cat survives the initial crisis, he/she can often regain much or sometimes all of his/her normal kidney function.

CRF may also manifest itself very suddenly and require IV treatment at the vet's, but in contrast to ARF it is an ongoing disease in which it is not possible to regain lost kidney function; so the goal is to keep the remaining function for as long as possible. 

This site is primarily designed for people with a cat with the chronic form of the disease (CRF), but may be of some use to those with a cat with ARF. More information on ARF can be found in the Links and Resources section.

Other Urinary Tract Problems

In recent times I have been receiving quite a lot of mail from people whose cats have lower urinary tract problems rather than kidney problems. Lower urinary tract problems are relatively common in cats, but do not automatically lead to kidney problems. So please be sure your cat has kidney issues before deciding this is the website to help your cat, because treating for the wrong condition is at best pointless and at worst dangerous. If you are not sure, ask your vet if your cat has CRF or another condition that would fall into the category of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD). You can read about our experiences with FLUTD, including a lifethreatening urinary tract blockage caused by struvite crystals, with one of our other cats,  Harpsie.

I have tried very hard to ensure that the information provided in this website is accurate, but I am NOT a vet, just an ordinary person who has lived through CRF with two cats. This website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to be used to diagnose or treat any cat. Before trying any of the treatments described in this website, you MUST consult a qualified veterinarian and obtain professional advice on the correct regimen for your cat and his or her particular requirements; and you should only use any treatments described here with the full knowledge and approval of your vet. If your cat appears to be in pain or distress, do not waste time on the internet, contact your vet immediately.