Tanya

 

TANYA'S

COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO

FELINE CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE

24 July 2000 - 24 July 2020

Twenty years online!

(Not tax deductible since I am a private individual)

 

 

 

 

TREATMENTS OVERVIEW

 

HOME


Site Overview


Just Diagnosed? What You Need to Know First


Search This Site


 

 

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


USA Food Data Book


 

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


Find Me on Facebook


Follow Me on Twitter


Contact Me


Home > Treatments

 


Overview


  • The purpose of treatment is twofold. Firstly, you want to help your cat feel better. Secondly, if at all possible you want to slow down the progression of the CKD.

  • 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.

  • This chapter explains more about the treatments I know of for CKD in cats. It also discusses which are the most important, how to find a good vet, and how to obtain supplies at reasonable prices.

  • 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

 

 

One Final Treatment...


 

is TLC (tender loving care). Don't under-estimate it! It can work wonders, as anybody who has seen a cat pull through against the odds can testify. In the midst of caring for your cat, don't forget the cuddles and the loving words. And don't forget to take care of yourself too.

 

 

 

 

Back to Page Index

This page last updated: 11 July 2020

 

 

   

*****

 

TREATING YOUR CAT WITHOUT VETERINARY ADVICE CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

 

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 CKD with three 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 herein, 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. No responsibility can be accepted.

 

If your cat appears to be in pain or distress, do not waste time on the internet, contact your vet immediately.

 

*****

Copyright © Tanya's Feline CKD Website 2000-2020. All rights reserved.

 

This site was created using Microsoft software, and therefore it is best viewed in Internet Explorer. I know it doesn't always display too well in other browsers, but I'm not an IT expert so I'm afraid I don't know how to change that. I would love it to display perfectly everywhere, but my focus is on making the information available. When I get time, I'll try to improve how it displays in other browsers.

 

This site is a labour of love, from which I do not make a penny. Please do not steal from me by taking credit for my work.

If you wish to link to this site, please feel free to do so. Please make it clear that this is a link and not your own work. I would appreciate being informed of your link.