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Treatments
Overview
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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.
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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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This section 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.
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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 Alphabetical Index
[under construction].
Which Treatments are
Essential
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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.
Fluid and Urinary Issues:
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Fluid Retention, Infections, Incontinence, Proteinuria
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, inappropriate elimination (peeing outside the litter box),
urinary tract infections, kidney infections, and proteinuria (protein loss
in the urine).
Waste Product Regulation:
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Mouth Ulcers, GI Bleeding,
Antioxidants,
Adsorbents, Azodyl, Astro's CRF Oil
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, gastro-intestinal bleeding.
In addition, it talks about some general treatments
that may be of use, such as antioxidants (including CoQ10), a probiotic
called Azodyl, Astro's CRF Oil, and oral adsorbents such as Epakitin (known as Ipakitine
outside the USA) and Kremezin.
Phosphorus, Calcium and PTH (Calcitriol)
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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, but some people also use a treatment called
calcitriol, a hormone which helps to balance PTH levels. Read more here.
Miscellaneous Treatments
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Fortekor, Stem Cell
Transplants, Kidney Transplants
This page
covers treatments that don't belong in any other category. It includes
stem cell transplants, which some members of
Tanya's CRF Support Group are finding
helpful, but which are not widely available at the moment.
It also discusses benazepril (Fortekor), a heart
medication approved for the treatment of CKD in Europe, Canada and
Australasia, and kidney transplants (which are really expensive, and a
treatment, not a cure).
Antibiotics and Painkillers
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CKD is not 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.
Holistic Treatments
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This page covers a number of holistic treatments,
including the herbal remedy, slippery elm bark, which is 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.
Erythropoiesis Stimulating
Agents (ESAs) for Severe Anaemia:
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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.
General Health Issues in a CKD Cat: Fleas, Arthritis, Vaccinations,
Dementia
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CKD cats can of course have other health issues, such
as fleas. This page discusses appropriate treatments for these problems in
CKD cats.
Tips on
Medicating Your Cat
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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.
Working with Your Vet
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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.
Obtaining Supplies Cheaply in the UK, USA and Canada
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Some vets charge a fortune for supplies. The record is
held by a vet who charged US$52 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 prescription food in the UK, USA and
Canada. Supplies for other items, such as Azodyl or Epogen, can be found on the
relevant page.
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