This page is a collection of veterinary links for CRF, and links about other diseases. I do try to check the links regularly but they can change without warning, so do please contact me if any of the links are broken. 

1. CRF general information 

• veterinary sites and references

• interpretation of bloodwork

• support

2. Acute renal failure

3. Canine renal failure

4. FLUTD (feline lower urinary tract disease)

5. General feline health

6. Behavioural issues

• inappropriate elimination

• aggression

• "alarm clock" cats

7. Other illnesses and conditions

• cancer

• liver disease

• cats with special needs

1. CRF GENERAL INFORMATION

Veterinary CRF Websites

Dr Katherine James - Dr James is a US feline renal specialist (nephrologist). This site is quite technical but very useful. 

Long Beach Animal Hospital - clear explanation from a US animal hospital of how the kidneys work and how CRF develops.

Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine - teaching notes from a US university veterinary school.

Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine - this section specifically covers the kidneys' functions.

Ohio State University has a slide presentation about CRF.

University of Georgia has a student guide to CRF.

Newman Veterinary Services - technical information from a US vet.

Prolonging the life of the renal failure patient (2000), Elliott J Waltham Focus 10 (3). 

2. ACUTE RENAL FAILURE (ARF)

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. Infections, blood clots in the kidney or kidney stones may also cause ARF.

In cats with ARF, it may be worth getting an ultrasound performed to see if this can shed some light on the cause - cats with CRF tend to have small, shrunken kidneys, whereas cats with ARF often have enlarged kidneys.

Cats with ARF will normally present with extremely high bloodwork, with creatinine often over 850 international (US: over 10), although it may even be twice as high as that. Unlike cats with CRF with such high bloodwork, however, ARF cats are often not anaemic, at least not initially. They may exhibit reduced urination, and this can cause potassium levels to rise to dangerously high levels (this is known as hyperkalaemia).

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. However, sometimes cats who experience ARF will have some residual damage, and will be left with CRF.

Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine - quite technical but useful.

Renal disease/urology is a paper by Dr S Ross which  has a helpful section on differentiating ARF from CRF. It also talks about the symptoms of acute on chronic, where a cat who already has CRF suddenly develops ARF on top, often while the patient is already in ICU.

Dr Katherine James - a site by a feline nephrologist who recommends this website to those dealing with CRF. Also technical but useful.

Acute intrinsic renal failure - causes and prevention (2007) Chew DJ Presentation to the World Small Animal Veterinary Association World Congress 2007.

Pet Place - information about acute renal failure.

Lilies

Cats and Kittens Magazine has information from the ASPCA on the dangers of lilies - they cause acute renal failure in cats.

Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine has information on lily toxicity for cats.

Cats Protection also has information on lily toxicity.

Antifreeze

US Food & Drug Administration - antidote for antifreeze poisoning Anti-freeze is a common cause of acute renal failure. Cats may sometimes appear to recover, but will then become ill once again; it is critical to seek veterinary treatment as early as possible, even if the cat appears to be recovering; early treatment greatly influences the cat's chances of survival.

Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine - detailed information on antifreeze poisoning.

Pet Place - three pages of detailed information on antifreeze poisoning.

3. CANINE RENAL FAILURE

K9 Kidney Diet List - a list about diet in CRF dogs.

4. FELINE LOWER URINARY TRACT DISEASE (FLUTD)

Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine - helpful information.

Feline Advisory Bureau - an overview by the UK feline charity.

Long Beach Animal Hospital - detailed and helpful information. 

Mar Vista Vet has information on FLUTD.

Mar Vista Vet - in the worst case, these cats can develop a life-threatening urinary tract blockage, as described here. If this happens, your cat needs a vet, NOW! Harpsie nearly died of this problem so it is a subject close to my heart.

The Winn Feline Foundation has a good overview of FLUTD.

The Winn Feline Foundation also discusses bladder stones and urinary obstructions.

Feline lower urinary tract disease (2006) Sparkes AH Presentation to the 31st World Small Animal Veterinary Association World Congress has a brief overview of FLUTD.

Harpsie's Website has our experiences with FLUTD and Harpsie's lifethreatening urinary tract blockage.

FLUTD List is a support group for people whose cats have FLUTD.

Cats with FLUTD is also a support group for people whose cats have FLUTD.

5. GENERAL FELINE HEALTH AND BEHAVIOUR LINKS

Cats Health and Behavior - this list is for discussion of general cat health and behaviour.  

Harpsie's Website - this is the site about our cat, Harpsie, who had multiple health issues.

The American Association of Feline Practitioners provides guidelines on how to be proactive in caring for a senior cat.

Feline Cancer

American Veterinary Medical Association - possible cancer symptoms to watch out for.

Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists - information on what to do when you are told that your cat has or may have cancer.

Vet Medicine - this site contains a variety of feline cancer links.

Vetinfo - a site from an American vet.

Mar Vista Vet - information on symptoms and treatments for lymphoma.

Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine has a clear overview of lymphoma in cats.

Woodstock's Page - the story of one cat's battle against lymphosarcoma (kidney cancer).

Feline Lymphoma Caregivers aims to help people with a cat with lymphoma by offering support and information, particularly regarding treatment options.

Feline Cancer Support Group - a list for those with a cat with cancer offering advice and support.

Feline Lymphoma Support Group - a list for those with cats with lymphoma.

Endless Love Support Group - a list for people with either a cat or dog with cancer.

There are more links about feline cancer on the Causes of CRF page.

Liver Disease

General

Feline Advisory Bureau - an overview of liver disease by the UK feline charity.

Liver disease: signs, symptoms and diagnosis  is a helpful paper by a Dr Fleming, which focuses more on dogs, but much of the information applies to cat too.

Long Beach Animal Hospital has a good overview of liver disease.

Columbia Animal Hospital has an overview of liver disease.

Feline Liver List - a list for those with a cat with liver problems, offering advice and support.

Hepatitis and Cholangiohepatitis

Update on the diagnosis and management of feline cholangiohepatitis (2003) is a presentation by Stanley Marks to the Waltham Feline Medicine Symposium 2003.

Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists have information on cholangiohepatitis.

Mar Vista Vet is also informative on this topic.

Vetinfo - information from an American vet.

Pancreatitis

Mar Vista Vet has information about pancreatitis.

Feline Pancreatitis List offers advice and support to those dealing with this disease. This group has open archives, i.e. if you post a message, it is visible to anyone online.

Feline Pancreatitis Support List is a newer group which also offers advice and support to those dealing with this disease. This group has closed archives, i.e. if you post a message, it is only visible to other listmembers. 

Disabled Cats and Those with Special Needs

The Special Needs Pets Website has tips and information on helping your disabled cat.

Handicapped Pets has information and support for those caring for handicapped pets.

Mar Vista Vet has information on caring for disabled dogs, but much of the information is also applicable to disabled cats.

Messybeast discusses hind limb paralysis and double hind leg amputation.

The Feline Advisory Bureau has information on adapting to life on three legs.

8. UK FELINE CHARITIES

Cats Protection

Cats Protection is the UK's oldest and biggest cat feline charity. It was established in 1927, and now helps around 60,000 cats a year. Cats Protection is primarily a rescue organisation, with 13 purpose built shelters and more than 240 branches throughout the UK. Cats Protection encourages the neutering of all cats not required for breeding, including running its own trap, neuter, and return programme, and provides an information service to the public.

One reason I support Cats Protection (apart from the fact that I have obtained some wonderful cats from them) is that they will only euthanise a cat if there is a good medical reason for it - otherwise, a cat will stay with them for as long as it takes to find them a home. It is possible to sponsor one of these long-term residents. Cats Protection also undertakes home visits before agreeing to place a cat.

Feline Advisory Bureau

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