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Treatments
Overview
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There are a lot of treatments available for CKD, and
when you first start out you may not know where to start. You may have been given treatments by your vet, but
you're not sure what they are for or why you have been given them.
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If you can't find what you're looking for in this section
— for example, you may have been given clindamycin but you don't know what
it is (an antibiotic), so you don't know which page to check — check out
the Site Overview
or use the Search function (top left under Tanya's portrait)
Which Treatments are
Essential
This page
explains the purposes of treatment, the importance of record keeping, and
which treatments are essential.
Many people get confused about which treatments are
important and which are a waste of time, money and effort, so this page
explains more about the treatments that make the biggest difference.
Please be sure to read it, particularly if you're desperately scouring the
internet for that non-existent miracle cure, and are vulnerable to all
those fabulous-sounding testimonials.
Remember, I'm not trying to sell you anything. I have
no financial interest in anything mentioned on this site. I do, however,
get feedback from the thousands of people who have been members of my
support group over the years, who tell me what works for them and their
cats.
Go to
Which Treatments are Essential
Fluid and Urinary Issues:
Fluid Retention, Infections, Incontinence
This section discusses treatments relating to fluid
issues, such as dehydration and overhydration, constipation and diarrhoea.
It also covers treatments for urinary issues, including
incontinence and house soiling (urinating or defecating outside the litter box).
Go to
Fluid and Urinary Issues
Waste Product Regulation:
Mouth Ulcers, Gastrointestinal Bleeding, Antioxidants, Adsorbents,
Probiotics (Including Azodyl)
The toxins that arise in CKD can cause a variety of
problems. This page discusses how to deal with some of those problems,
such as mouth ulcers, body odour, gastrointestinal bleeding.
In addition, it talks about some general treatments
that may be of use, such as antioxidants (including CoQ10), probiotics
including Azodyl, Astro's Nitrogen Scrub, and oral adsorbents such as Epakitin (known as Ipakitine
outside the USA), Kremezin and Porus One.
Go to
Waste Product Regulation
Phosphorus, Calcium and Calcitriol
Phosphorus and calcium imbalances are common in CKD
cats, and may cause elevated levels of a hormone called parathyroid
hormone (PTH). This can eventually lead to a condition called secondary
hyperparathyroidism. Controlling phosphorus levels is the primary method
of controlling PTH levels, either via dietary measures or via a phosphorus
binder, but some people also use a treatment called
calcitriol, a hormone which helps to balance PTH levels. Read more here.
Go to Phosphorus
Binders
Go to
Phosphorus, Calcium and Calcitriol
Steroids, Stem Cell
Transplants, Kidney Transplants
This page
covers treatments that don't belong in any other category. It includes
stem cell transplants, steroids, and kidney transplants (which are really
expensive, and a treatment, not a cure).
Go to
Steroids, Stem Cell Transplants and Kidney Transplants
Antibiotics and Painkillers
CKD is not normally considered to be painful, but cats sometimes need painkillers
for other reasons, such as for arthritis or after dental surgery.
CKD cats are prone to infections, so may need
antibiotics on occasion. This page covers the treatments in these
categories that are most commonly used in CKD cats.
Go to
Antibiotics and Painkillers
Holistic Treatments
This page covers a number of holistic treatments,
including slippery elm bark, a gentle,
soothing remedy which helps many cats with vomiting and nausea.
It also discusses treatments which are not appropriate
for CKD cats, such as cranberries.
Go to
Holistic Treatments
Erythropoiesis Stimulating
Agents (ESAs) for Severe Anaemia:
Darbepoetin (Aranesp), Epoetin alfa (Epogen, Procrit, Eprex),
Epoetin beta (NeoRecormon)
Anaemia is common in CKD cats, and if it is severe, you
will need to consider using a treatment known as
Erythropoiesis Stimulating
Agents or
ESAs. This page discusses this treatment in detail, including the pros and
cons, commonly used dosages and sources of supplies (usually a lot cheaper
than those your vet can find).
Go to ESAs
General Health Issues in a CKD Cat: Fleas, Arthritis, Vaccinations,
Dementia
CKD cats can of course have other health issues, such
as fleas. This page discusses appropriate treatments for these problems in
CKD cats.
Go to
General Health Issues
Tips on Medicating Your Cat
If you have a cat who is a terror to pill, this page
has tips on methods which may make it easier and less stressful for both
of you, such as Pill Pockets and compounded medications. It also explains
why it is important to follow any oral medications with water.
This page also has information on
possible drug interactions.
Go to
Tips on Medicating Your Cat
Working With Your Vet
In order to give your cat the best possible care,
ideally you and your vet need to work as a partnership. This page gives
tips on how best to do that.
It also
covers how to find a good vet, and getting a second opinion.
Go to
Working With Your Vet
Obtaining Supplies Cheaply in the UK, USA and Canada
Some vets charge a fortune for supplies. The record is
held by a vet who charged US$79 for one 1000ml bag of lactated ringers
sub-Q fluid (the needles and administration set were extra).
If you have to spend all your money on supplies, you
have none left for testing. So use this page to find reasonably priced
sources for sub-Q supplies and therapeutic kidney foods in the UK, USA and
Canada. Supplies for other items, such as Azodyl or Epogen, can be found on the
relevant page.
Go to
Obtaining Supplies Cheaply
