HOME
Site Overview
Just Diagnosed? What You Need to Know
First
WHAT IS
CKD?
What Happens in
CKD
Causes of CKD
How Bad is It?
Is There Any
Hope?
Acute Kidney
Injury
KEY ISSUES:
PROLONGING LIFE
Phosphorus Control
Hypertension
(High
Blood Pressure)
Proteinuria
Anaemia
Potassium Imbalances
Pyelonephritis
(Kidney Infections) and Urinary Tract Infections
NEW
Metabolic Acidosis
Kidney Stones
KEY ISSUES: HELPING YOUR
CAT FEEL BETTER
Nausea, Vomiting,
Appetite Loss and Excess Stomach Acid
Maintaining Hydration
The B Vitamins (Including
Methylcobalamin)
Constipation
CAT FOOD DATA
Ways of Assessing Food Content, Including
What is Dry
Matter Analysis
How to Use the Food Data Tables
USA
Canned Food Data
USA
Dry Food Data
USA
Cat Food Brands:
Helpfulness Ratings
USA
Cat Food Brands:
Contact Details
SUPPORT
Coping with CKD
Tanya's Support Group
Success Stories
SYMPTOMS
Important: Crashing
Alphabetical List of Symptoms and Treatments
Fluid
and Urinary Imbalances (Dehydration, Overhydration and Urinary
Issues)
Waste Product Regulation Imbalances (Vomiting, Appetite Loss, Excess
Stomach Acid, Gastro-intestinal Problems, Mouth Ulcers Etc.)
Phosphorus and Calcium Imbalances
Miscellaneous Symptoms
(Pain, Hiding Etc.)
DIAGNOSIS:
WHAT DO ALL THE TEST RESULTS MEAN?
Early Detection
Blood Chemistry: Kidney Function, Potassium, Other Tests
(ALT, Amylase, (Cholesterol, Etc.)
Calcium, Phosphorus, Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) and Secondary
Hyperparathyroidism
Complete Blood Count (CBC):
Red and White Blood Cells: Anaemia and Infection
Urinalysis (Urine Tests)
Other Tests: Ultrasound, Biopsy, X-rays etc.
Renomegaly (Enlarged Kidneys)
Which
Tests to Have and Frequency of Testing
Factors that Affect Test Results
Normal Ranges
International and US Measuring Systems
TREATMENTS
Which Treatments are Essential
Fluid and Urinary Issues (Fluid Retention, Infections, Incontinence,
Proteinuria)
Waste Product Regulation
(Mouth Ulcers, GI Bleeding,
Antioxidants,
Adsorbents, Azodyl, Astro's CRF Oil)
Phosphorus, Calcium and
Secondary Hyperparathyroidism (Calcitriol)
Phosphorus Binders
Steroids,
Stem Cell Transplants and Kidney Transplants
Antibiotics and Painkillers
Holistic Treatments (Including Slippery Elm Bark)
ESAs (Aranesp, Epogen etc.) for Severe Anaemia
General Health Issues in a CKD Cat: Fleas, Arthritis, Dementia,
Vaccinations
Tips on
Medicating Your Cat
Obtaining Supplies Cheaply in the UK, USA and Canada
Working with Your Vet
and Recordkeeping
DIET & NUTRITION
Nutritional Requirements of CKD Cats
The B Vitamins (Including
Methylcobalamin)
What to Feed (and What to Avoid)
Persuading Your Cat to Eat
2007 Food Recall USA
FLUID THERAPY
Oral Fluids
Intravenous Fluids
Subcutaneous Fluids
Tips on Giving
Subcutaneous Fluids
How
to Give Subcutaneous Fluids with a Giving Set
How
to Give Subcutaneous Fluids with a Syringe
Subcutaneous Fluids - Winning Your Vet's Support
Dialysis
RELATED DISEASES
Heart Problems
Hyperthyroidism
Diabetes
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)
Pancreatitis
Dental Problems
Anaesthesia
OBTAINING SUPPLIES CHEAPLY
UK
USA
Online
USA
Local (Fluids)
Canada
SAYING GOODBYE
The
Final Hours
Other People's Losses
Coping with Your Loss
MISCELLANEOUS
Prevention
Feline CKD Research, Including
Participation Opportunities
CKD Research
in Other Species
Share This Site: A
Notice for Your Vet's Bulletin Board or Your Local Pet Shop
Canine Kidney
Disease
Other Illnesses (Cancer, Liver) and
Behavioural Problems
Diese Webseite auf Deutsch
SITEOWNER (HELEN)
My
Three CKD Cats: Tanya, Thomas and Ollie
Contact Me
|
|
Home
>
Site Overview
Finding What You Need
This site has a pretty simple structure, but it does contain a lot of
information. This page is therefore a brief overview of the various
categories in the lefthand sidebar, telling you what each page contains.
If you're trying to find something and you're still stuck, try the Search
function (top left).
Home
Page |
Contents |
Last
Updated |
Just Diagnosed? What You Need To Know First |
An overview of what the
bloodtests mean, which symptoms you may see, and which treatments you may
be offered. This page is designed to be a starting point for those new to
CKD, especially if you are feeling overwhelmed by the CKD diagnosis,
though it could also be a handy refresher later on. |
25 Aug 2020 |
What is CKD?
What
Happens in CKD
|
A
simple explanation of the kidney's functions, and what happens to them in
CKD. This page also briefly discusses how much function is required,
and why cats are often not diagnosed until over two thirds of kidney
function have already been lost. |
30 Jun 2020 |
Causes of CKD
|
Information about the causes of CKD, both proven and
suspected. Once CKD is present, it is treated in the same way whatever
the cause (except for
glomerulonephritis, when additional treatments may be appropriate);
so if you're tight for time, skip this page. Also skip this page if you're on a guilt trip: you did not cause your
cat's CKD through e.g. your food choices. |
13 Nov 2020 |
How Bad Is It?
|
Information on how severe your cat's case
might be, and a brief discussion about the concept of end stage renal
failure. |
04 Mar 2023 |
Is There Any
Hope?
|
Discusses the various
scenarios you might be facing, including what to do if your cat worsens
suddenly. |
25 Jun 2020 |
Acute Kidney
Injury
|
Acute
kidney injury (acute renal failure) is a kind of kidney problem that comes on suddenly,
usually because of an "insult" to the kidneys. It is difficult to treat,
but some cats do make a complete recovery, though others will be left
with residual damage (CKD). |
05 Mar 2023 |
Key Issues: Helping Your Cat Live Longer
Key Issues Overview |
If you're feeling
overwhelmed, this is probably the best page to start with.
This page gives an overview
of the main issues of concern for CKD cats. If you focus on any of these
issues that are present, you greatly increase your cat's chances of survival. The other pages in this
chapter go into more detail about these issues. |
24 Aug 2020 |
Phosphorus Control |
High phosphorus levels in bloodtest results can make
a CKD cat feel ill and may make the CKD progress faster. Even if the
level is within normal range, this may not be enough. This page
discusses the symptoms of high phosphorus levels and the possible
treatments.
|
18 Mar 2023 |
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) |
66% of CKD cats develop hypertension. It can
make a cat feel rough, and in the worst case, the cat may go blind or
have a stroke. Fortunately it is easily treated. This page covers
possible symptoms and explains which is the best treatment. |
31 Mar 2023 |
Proteinuria |
Proteinuria means excess
levels of protein in the urine. This can make the CKD progress faster.
It can be difficult to treat, but possible treatment options include ACE
inhibitors or ARBs (e.g. Fortekor) |
13 Sep 2020 |
Anaemia |
Anaemia may develop for various reasons. Fortunately
it is usually easy to control. This page discusses why CKD cats can
become anaemic and describes commonly used treatments. |
14 May 2023 |
Potassium |
CKD cats often have an imbalance in their potassium
levels. Most of them have levels which are too low, which can cause a
number of problems, especially back leg weakness. This page discusses
symptoms of a potassium imbalance and how to treat low or high potassium
levels. |
24 Jun 2021 |
Pyelonephritis
(Kidney Infections) and Urinary Tract Infections
|
Kidney and urinary tract
infections are common in CKD cats, but not always easy to detect. This
page discusses symptoms, diagnosis and treatments. |
13 Nov 2020 |
Metabolic Acidosis |
Metabolic acidosis means
the cat's body is too acidic (which has nothing to do with stomach acid). It is quite common in CKD
cats,
usually in those with more advanced CKD, and this page explains more about the problem and how to deal with it. |
11 Aug 2020 |
Kidney Stones |
Some cats
develop kidney stones, which may cause or worsen CKD. This page
discusses the various treatment options. |
12 Nov 2020 |
Key Issues: Helping Your Cat Feel Better
Key Issues Overview |
If you're feeling
overwhelmed, this is probably the best page to start with. This page gives an overview
of the main issues of concern for CKD cats. If you focus on any of these
issues that are present, you greatly increase your cat's comfort level. The other pages in this
chapter go into more detail about these issues. |
24 Aug 2020 |
Appetite Loss, Nausea and Vomiting |
Most CKD cats have problems with vomiting,
nausea and appetite loss. This page
describes the possible symptoms and various treatments available for
these problems. |
26 Nov 2024 |
Maintaining
Hydration |
This is
eventually a problem for most CKD cats. This section discusses the
various types of fluid therapy available. |
30 Jun 2020 |
The B Vitamins (Including
Methylcobalamin)
|
CKD cats
lose Vitamin B through increased urination. This page explains how
supplementation, particularly of Vitamin B12 in the form of
methylcobalamin, can help with problems such as anaemia and appetite
loss. |
13 Sep 2020 |
Constipation |
Constipation is quite common in CKD cats and can make
a cat feel very uncomfortable. This page describes symptoms and
treatments. |
27 May 2022 |
Cat Food Data
Ways of Assessing Food Content, Including
What is Dry
Matter Analysis
|
If your
cat refuses to eat therapeutic kidney foods, it can help to know the content,
particularly the phosphorus content, of other cat foods. This page
explains how and why I analyse the foods using Dry Matter Analysis
(DMA), and gives a brief overview of what to consider when choosing a
food. |
12 Jun 2020 |
How to Use the Food Data Tables
|
This page explains how to use the food data tables contained in this
chapter. |
12 Jun 2020 |
USA
Canned Food Data
|
Analysis of the phosphorus, protein, sodium, fat and carbohydrate
content of a number of canned and pouch foods in the
USA, many of which are also
available in Canada.
This is purely a list in order of phosphorus content, not a
recommendation of any of these foods. |
27 Sep 2022 |
USA
Dry Food Data
|
Analysis of the phosphorus, protein, sodium, fat and carbohydrate
content of a number of dry foods in the USA, many of which are also
available in Canada. This is purely a list in order of phosphorus
content, not a recommendation of any of these foods. |
15 Nov 2020 |
USA
Cat Food Brands:
Helpfulness Ratings
|
How helpful I have
found the various US cat food brands to be when I have tried to obtain
information about their cats foods for my food data tables. This does not rate
the food in any way. NOTE: currently not available.
|
18 Apr 2017 |
USA
Cat Food Brands:
Contact Details
|
Contact details for the main cat food manufacturers in the USA. |
09 Jan 2017 |
Support
Coping with CKD |
It can be emotionally draining dealing with CKD, so this page gives
tips on how to cope with the ups and downs of the CKD rollercoaster,
including worrying about the future, and how to deal with practical
issues, including financial concerns. |
11 Nov 2020 |
Tanya's
Support Group |
I have set
up an online support group which is free to join. This page explains how
to join and how the group works. |
13 Sep 2020 |
Success
Stories |
The
stories of some CKD cats, all of whom have led high quality and, in
most cases, long lives despite having CKD. Includes cases of young
cats, cats with kidney stones, cats with acute kidney injury etc. |
26 Jun 2014 |
Symptoms
Symptoms
|
A brief
overview of this chapter, but also contains important information on
what crashing means and the meatloaf position (including photos). |
21 May 2020 |
Alphabetical Index
of Symptoms and Treatments |
There are many possible symptoms of CKD. This page lists the
symptoms which you may see in alphabetical order, and provides quick links
to more information for each symptom and the relevant treatment.
|
21
Jul 2020 |
Fluid
and Urinary Imbalances
|
Fluid and
urinary imbalances are common in CKD. This page describes symptoms of
dehydration, symptoms of overhydration, and urinary issues, such as
blood in the urine. |
06 Sep 2021 |
Waste Product Regulation Imbalances
|
This page
describes the symptoms you might see relating to problems with waste
product regulation, such as vomiting, gastrointestinal problems, mouth
ulcers etc. |
12 Sep 2020 |
Phosphorus and Calcium Imbalances
|
These are
frequent problems in CKD cats. This page discusses possible symptoms,
such as twitching or seizures. |
04 Apr 2023 |
Miscellaneous Symptoms
|
Discusses symptoms such as pain, hiding and changes in the coat or skin.
|
16 Sep 2022 |
Diagnosis
Early Detection
|
Normally, CKD cannot be detected before 66% of kidney function is already
gone.
This page discusses possible methods of early detection of CKD.
|
04 Mar 2023 |
Blood Chemistry: Kidney Function, Potassium and Various Other Tests
|
Explains the meaning of these
tests, such as BUN, creatinine, azotaemia, potassium, magnesium
etc.
|
04 Mar 2023 |
Calcium, Phosphorus, Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) and Secondary
Hyperparathyroidism
|
Imbalances in phosphorus and
calcium levels are extremely common in CKD cats. This page explains
more, and includes a discussion of high calcium levels, ionised calcium and calcification.
|
03 Apr 2023 |
Complete Blood Count (CBC):
Red and White Blood Cells
|
Discusses the tests which
indicate whether infection or inflammation are present and those which
indicate anaemia and its severity. |
13 Sep 2020 |
Urinalysis (Urine Tests)
|
This page
explains more about obtaining urine samples and what these indicate,
including urine specific gravity (USG) and blood in the urine.
|
13 Nov 2020 |
Other Tests
|
Discusses
other tests which are sometimes used, such as ultrasound, x-rays,
biopsy, intravenous pyelogram etc. |
13 Sep 2020 |
Renomegaly (Enlarged Kidneys)
|
Explains the possible causes
of this problem. |
22 Jun 2020 |
Which
Tests to Have and Frequency of Testing
|
Discusses which tests are the
most useful, and how often to test. |
22 Jun 2021 |
Factors that Affect Test Results
|
Explains
more about factors such as fasting before tests, and how the handling of
the blood may affect the results. |
22 Jun 2020 |
Normal Ranges
|
A rough
guide to normal ranges for the various tests in the USA and the rest of
the world. |
13 Sep 2020 |
International and US Measuring Systems
|
The USA
uses a different measuring system to the rest of the world. This page
explains more about this and how to convert values from one system to
the other. |
22 Jun 2020 |
Treatments
Which Treatments are Essential
|
There are so many treatment
options that it can seem overwhelming. This page explains which are the
most important treatments, which may be necessary in some circumstances,
and which are optional or not recommended. |
20 Jul 2020 |
Fluid and Urinary Issues
|
Covers fluid retention and overhydration,
incontinence and inappropriate elimination.
|
06 Jul 2020 |
Waste Product Regulation
|
Treatments for
problems such as mouth
ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding and diarrhoea. Discusses methods of
reducing CKD toxins, including antioxidants, adsorbents, probiotics,
prebiotics, Azodyl or Renadyl, and Astro's CRF Oil or Nitrogen Scrub.
|
07 Oct 2021 |
Phosphorus Binders |
Covers the various phosphorus
binders that may be used in CKD cats. |
17
Mar 2023 |
Phosphorus, Calcium and
Secondary Hyperparathyroidism |
Explains
more about how to manage these problems, including high calcium levels.
Discusses the use of calcitriol. |
07 Mar 2023 |
Steroids, Stem Cell Transplants and kidney Transplants
|
Discusses steroids (both
anabolic and corticosteroids), stem cell transplants, and kidney transplants.
|
10 Jul 2020 |
Antibiotics and Painkillers
|
Discusses
commonly used antibiotics (Baytril, Convenia, Clindamycin and Clavamox/Synulox)
and painkillers, including meloxicam (Metacam). It includes a treatment
protocol should your cat have been given too much meloxicam and
developed acute kidney injury. |
31 Oct 2020 |
Holistic Treatments
|
Describes some treatments which are not
mainstream but which have proven to be effective for many CKD cats, such
as slippery elm bark and acupuncture. Also explains which treatments may
not be appropriate. |
08 Jun 2022 |
Erythropoiesis
Stimulating Agents (ESAs) for Severe Anaemia
|
Explains more about using
ESAs to treat
severe anaemia (PCV or HCT under 20%). Commonly used products are Epogen, Eprex, Aranesp (darbepoetin),
Procrit or Neorecormon. |
17 Jun 2021 |
General Health Issues in a CKD Cat
|
Covers standard feline health
issues as they apply to CKD cats, such as vaccinations and flea
treatments. Also discusses arthritis treatments and cognitive dysfunction
(feline
dementia or kitty Alzheimers).
|
07 Jun 2022 |
Tips on
Medicating Your Cat
|
Tips on how to medicate your cat with
minimal stress for both of you. |
07 Sep 2020 |
Working with
Your Vet |
This page has
suggestions on how to work with your vet as a team, and how to get a
second opinion. It also explains the benefits of keeping your own
records. |
29 Aug 2020 |
Obtaining Supplies Cheaply
UK
|
Where
to obtain fluid supplies, medications and therapeutic kidney food at
reasonable prices in
the UK. |
04 Sep 2020 |
USA |
Where
to obtain fluid supplies, medications and
therapeutic kidney food at
reasonable prices in
the USA. |
06 Sep 2020 |
USA
Local Fluids |
Where
to obtain fluid supplies at local pharmacies in
the USA. |
06 Sep 2020 |
Canada |
Where
to obtain fluid supplies, medications and therapeutic kidney food at
reasonable prices in
Canada. |
31 Oct 2020 |
Diet and Nutrition
Nutritional
Requirements of CKD Cats
|
Discusses the dietary and nutritional needs of CKD cats. Includes a
discussion of the reduced protein debate, and explains why reduced protein is
not necessarily a good idea for cats in the early stages of CKD. |
26 Nov 2020 |
Which Foods to Feed and
Which to Avoid |
Tips on how to introduce a therapeutic kidney diet, and what your options are
if your cat refuses to eat it. Also explains why certain foods, such as
tuna or garlic, are not appropriate for cats. |
27 Sep 2022 |
Persuading Your
Cat To Eat |
This page tackles the common problem of persuading your CKD cat to eat,
and how to get additional nourishment into him/her. |
08 Oct 2021 |
2007 Food Recall USA
|
In
2007, a number of cats in the USA (and later in some other countries) suddenly began developing kidney failure.
Some of them died.
Some cats survived but were left with CKD.
The problem
was eventually traced to cat food ingredients imported from China.
This page explains more about the scandal. |
27
May 2020 |
Fluid Therapy
Oral Fluids |
Maintaining hydration is very important for CKD cats. This page
gives a brief overview of the different fluid therapies (oral fluids, intravenous
fluids and subcutaneous
fluids), and explains which is used when. |
12 Nov 2020 |
Intravenous
Fluids |
Intravenous fluids (IV fluids, or a drip) are given into a vein, and are
therefore usually given in hospital. For this reason they are normally
reserved for crisis situations, such as when a cat
crashes. They
are also commonly used before, during and after surgery. |
27 Mar 2023 |
Subcutaneous Fluids |
Subcutaneous fluids (sub-Qs or sub-cuts) are given under the skin and
can therefore be given at home. They are used to maintain hydration.
Generally speaking, CKD cats benefit from subcutaneous fluids once their
creatinine is over 3.5 mg/dl (US) or 300 µmol/l (international). |
22 Jun 2021 |
Tips on Giving
Subcutaneous Fluids
|
This page
gives an overview of the various sorts of fluids (lactated ringers
solution,
saline etc.). It also provides tips on which needles to use, how to keep
your cat calm, and generally how to make the process easier for you
both. |
22 Jun 2021 |
How
to Give Subcutaneous Fluids with a Giving Set
|
A photographic demonstration of how to give sub-Qs using a giving set,
the method commonly used in the USA. |
01 Jul 2020 |
How
to Give Subcutaneous Fluids with a Syringe
|
A photographic demonstration of how to give sub-Qs using a syringe, the
method usually recommended in the UK. It shows how you don't have to
stick your cat multiple times! |
01 Jul 2020 |
Winning Your Vet's Support |
In the UK
in particular, it can be extremely hard to find a vet who permits you to
use sub-Qs at home. This page discusses commonly used objections and how
you can try to counter these. |
01 Jul 2020 |
Dialysis |
Description of
peritoneal dialysis, haemodialysis and continuous renal replacement
therapy. These treatments cost thousands, so are rarely performed on cats, but the information is provided in
case of need. |
05 Mar 2023 |
Related
Diseases
Heart Problems |
Heart problems are not unusual in older cats, so you may find yourself
dealing with these as well as CKD. This page explains the different types
of heart problem, describes the various heart medications that may be
used, and discusses how to balance treatment for both CKD and heart
problems. |
12 Nov 2020 |
Hyperthyroidism |
Hyperthyroidism means that the thyroid is overactive, so the body's metabolic processes
are in overdrive, causing a variety of different problems. Treating
hyperthyroidism is therefore essential, but must be done cautiously
because treating it may unmask existing but hidden CKD. This page explains
more about hyperthyroidism and how to juggle both conditions. |
08 Jun 2022 |
Diabetes |
Diabetes is relatively common in CKD cats. It is usually manageable. This
page discusses the various treatments available and how to balance the
dietary needs of a cat with both CKD and diabetes. |
12 Nov 2020 |
Pancreatitis |
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. It is fairly common in CKD
cats, and shares some of the same symptoms. If your cat has relatively low
creatinine levels but is acting sicker than you would expect, with
vomiting and severe appetite loss, read this page. |
06 May 2020 |
Polycystic Kidney Disease |
PKD is a genetic disease in which cysts form in the kidneys. It is most
commonly found in Persian cats. It
can eventually lead to CKD. This page explains more about the condition. |
08 Jun 2022 |
Dental Problems
|
Most cats
eventually develop dental problems, and many of them eventually need
surgery. This page explains how to reduce the risk of dental problems, and
what precautions are necessary in cats who need dental surgery.
|
11 Nov 2020 |
Anaesthesia |
Information on anaesthesia and the precautions
that should be followed for CKD cats having surgery performed under
general anaesthesia. |
11 Nov 2020 |
Saying
Goodbye
The
Final Hours |
Since CKD is ultimately terminal, eventually you will have to say goodbye
to your cat. This page contains information on facing up to this painful
parting, and
explains the symptoms and behaviour
which you may see in your cat's last few days or hours. This page also
contains a discussion on whether to opt for euthanasia, and a
description of what to expect during the procedure if so. |
11 Nov 2020 |
Coping with Your Loss |
This page contains information on how to cope with your grief after you
say goodbye, and where to find support.
|
02 Sep 2020 |
Other
People's Losses |
This page consists of descriptions from a few
brave people of what they and their cat experienced towards the end, and
why in most cases they opted for euthanasia.
|
02 Jan 2012 |
Miscellaneous
Prevention |
In most cases you cannot prevent CKD. However, there
are a few steps you can take to reduce the risks, which this page
discusses.
|
29 Apr 2020 |
Feline CKD Research,
Including
Participation Opportunities |
Describes various
research studies in which it is possible to participate. You have to
attend the research location for some but not all of the studies. |
15
May 2020 |
CKD Research
In Other Species |
This page discusses ongoing research into CKD and AKI in other species. |
15 May 2020 |
Canine Kidney
Disease
|
I have no personal experience of canine CKD but this page provides links
to information. |
13 Jul 2020 |
Other Illnesses (Cancer, Liver) and
Behavioural Problems
|
Links to
information about general feline health issues, cancer, liver disease and
behavioural problems. |
13 Sep 2020 |
CKD Flier
|
A
notice for your vet's bulletin board or your local pet shop to let other
people with CKD cats know about Tanya's website. |
12 Nov 20 |
Diese Webseite auf Deutsch |
This site is also available in
German.
Wo Sie diese Webseite auf
Deutsch finden können.
|
12 May 2020 |
Siteowner — Helen
Back to Page
Index
This page last updated: 27 November 2024
Links on this page last checked: 04
March 2020
|