Tanya's Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic Kidney Disease


		SAYING GOODBYE SECTION "Unable are the loved to die. For love is immortality." Emily Dickinson
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 > Saying Goodbye Overview Although hopefully this site will be able to help you to buy a lot more quality time for your cat, eventually your precious cat is going to have to leave you. This can be a very difficult thing with which to come to terms. Many people find the idea of losing their cat too distressing to even contemplate; I know when Tanya was ill, I would try to read books on this topic but I would end up in floods of tears, so I do sympathise. But if at all possible, you must try to give some thought to these matters while your cat is still alive; because if you wait until the moment is upon you, you will probably not be able to think clearly and may make decisions which you later come to regret. This chapter helps you consider some things in advance, when you are more emotionally capable of making the decision. It also provides information on making the decision, what to expect at the end, and how to cope with your loss. The Final Hours Because it can be so terribly hard to know when the time has come, particularly with a CKD cat who will probably be having good days and bad days, I have created this page. It describes the symptoms which you may see in the final stages of CKD, and discusses whether to choose euthanasia. It also explains what happens during euthanasia, and has information about resting place options. The Final Hours Other People's Losses Several members of Tanyas CKD Support Group have bravely described here what happened during their cats' final hours. These pages may help you decide what would be the criteria that matter to you. Other People's Losses Coping With Your Loss Grieving hurts. This page explains more about what to expect, and gives tips on how to cope and where to find support. It also discusses how to help other family members, including other cats, and whether to get another cat. Coping With Your Loss ******* "I have felt perpetual gratitude to heaven for having given me, in you, a source of so much pure and unmixed happiness." Thomas Jefferson ******* Back to Page Index This page last updated: 01 September 2020 Links on this page last checked: 01 September 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.