Loss of appetite, possible digestion problem

[CapnBlubs]

We try to never run out of our cat's normal dry food, but just in case (and this has happened 2 or 3 times the past few years with no negative repercussions) we have cans of wet food around for her.

At the beginning of last week we were so busy we did run out, and fed her wet food for about three days. On the last day, she showed markedly less appetite for it, and we went back to the dry food. She's shown an alarming lack of interest in that too, since she usually goes nuts when her automatic feeder turns.

She's still eating enough to get by, but a lot less than usual...we've tried giving her two different kibbles as options, and also wet food as an option, and she still eats more slowly and with a lot less interest. Again, this has basically been going on since Thursday.

We were prepared to chalk this up to the rapid change in food and just wait it out, since her overall behavior (other than at feeding time) has seemed pretty normal. But yesterday and today it seems like she's had abnormal bowel movements...urinating just fine but #2 that's fairly liquid. She doesn't seem to be in any pain. Should we take her straight to the vet? If we take her to the vet, what are the sort of tests that they would recommend and what makes the most sense to do?

[MowMow]

Yeah, any major change in appetite or behavior my first trip would be a vet.

[laurief]

If she's not used to eating canned food regularly, I would just chalk up this digestive upset to the rapid food change. Remove the canned food for now, and offer her only her regular kibble. Also, give her a dose of probiotic daily for a week to help rebalance her digestive system. I buy acidophilus at a health food store for this purpose, but any decently stocked pet store will also offer probiotics for sale.

If the diarrhea doesn't resolve within the next few days, take her to your vet for further evaluation.

Laurie

[CapnBlubs]

Thanks both of you for your replies.

She had a constipation issue once a few years ago...which was only determined after a useless overnight vet stay heheh...but I was hoping that's all this was...because the last couple days especially I can't tell if she's going #2 at all.

She's drinking fine, and peeing fine, but the other stuff in the litter box isn't even close to normal...seems more liquid than stool so I literally can't differentiate between the two extremes (is she having diarrhea or not going at all?).

Yet in spite of all that, the vet today said he couldn't feel any blockages, and recommended full bloodwork and urinalysis. I'll get the results tomorrow. In the meantime...she's still disinterested in food, eating only about half her normal amount. And her non-mealtime behavior is still closer to normal than her eating is...she's not rolling around on the floor in pain or anything even resembling that, still capable of chasing her toys around...only difference is she has a little less energy for it.

I'll look into the probiotic if no other obvious issues or solutions arise. Seems like a reasonable hypothesis and plan.

[CapnBlubs]

I got horrible news about 45 minutes ago. The bloodwork indicates horrible kidney function if not complete failure, because there is a ton of waste. The vet acted like there isn't much we can do. My wife and I are both emotional wrecks right now because she's a very special cat and the only pet we've owned together.

I'm simply not willing to accept the vet's fatalistic attitude about this yet. Honey hasn't been having BMs for a while now, and I am trying to convince myself (even if it isn't scientific or logical) that if I give her some laxative and she starts pooping again, things can get back to normal.

My mom is bringing some pumpkin puree over in a few minutes and I'm planning to give her a teaspoon of it if I can force her to eat it (either by itself or with some wet food). I would've and perhaps should've done that already but I didn't want to risk anything before the test results came back.

If anyone has any alternative advice please don't hesitate. I'm really freaking out about this.

[wondercat]

Take her to another vet? There is always stuff you can do. I know at the shelter the vet has applied enemas and given laxatives. Also as a last resort I have seen cats get tube fed. I would be beside myself also. Lots of hugs.

[laurief]

OK, don't panic. Many, many, MANY cats live with renal failure for a significant period of time. Tthere is much that can be done to manage the disease and provide a comfortable and enjoyable quality of life for many cats with CRF (chronic renal failure). Successful management of CRF is dependent on many factors, some of which are under your control, and some of which are not. The first thing you need to do is go back to your vet immediately and get copies of ALL of your cat's lab test results. You will need them in order to understand the information you will find online about this disease and in order to acquire the most relevant and helpful information from folks on this forum and others dedicated to CRF. When you get those results, post them in their entirely on this thread so that we can take a look and offer useful insights and suggestions.

The second thing you should do, if possible, is find a vet who knows this disease and its management and who won't automatically write off your cat as a lost cause. The last thing you need right now is to be doing battle both with CRF and with your own vet!

The third thing to do is to visit, bookmark, and read as much as your brain can hold of the following website:

Tanya's Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic Renal Failure

This is Tanya's site and the site that most of us CRF caretakers consider to be our "bible". It covers virtually every aspect of this disease, its associated conditions, symptoms, and treatments. It may be completely overwhelming for you at first, but just keep reading. The more times you read through its information, the more of it will eventually "stick" with you so that you can apply it to the care of your cat and be a much better informed advocate for the proper veterinary care of your girl.

Now, if your girl's renal blood values are currently through the roof, and she is in the midst of a renal "crash", the recommended immediate treatment would typically be hospitalization on IV fluids for a number of days to try to bring her renal values down to a manageable and stable level. Again, you need to find a vet who is willing to be proactive and do what must be done to give your girl the best chance at stabilization. If you don't have access to such a vet, then you're just going to have to fight your current vet for the care your girl needs.

I haven't got time at the moment to go into greater depth right now, but this should get you started. Please get those lab results and post them here ASAP so that we have a better idea what you're dealing with. Please, also, post again with any more questions you may have.

I'll post more later.

Take a deep breath. CRF is an emotional, financial, and practical roller coaster ride. Get ready.

Laurie

[CapnBlubs]

Thank you for replying, I will look at all that information as soon as I can. Right now I'm trying to get her to eat the pumpkin which she really doesn't seem to like, even mixed with food.

The numbers I remember, from asking directly on the phone:
Blood Urea Nitrogen - 168, like five times normal and horrifying
Creatinine - 13.3 (I think)
Phosphorus - 9.7

He didn't give me units of measure and I haven't had time yet to read more about all of it. I have some understanding of physiology and medicine because I do work in the fields of biology and biochemistry, but I'm certainly not a doctor or a vet.

[laurief]

OK, if those numbers are accurate (assuming they are U.S. measurements), and if she were my cat, I would insist on having her hospitalized on IV fluids for at least 3 days (up to a week) to try to bring those numbers down. It's also extremely important to relieve her constipation, assuming she's badly constipated right now. If the measures you take don't relieve the constipation within the next 24 hrs, you should take her back to a vet for an enema (which is also something I'd probably do right away instead of waiting).

Pumpkin (or any other fiber source like psyllium or mashed peas) can be helpful in preventing constipation, but it won't help with a current impaction. In fact, it may make matters worse until any existing impaction is cleared from her system. Instead, give her a dose of a cat laxative or hairball remedy. That will lubricate the impacted material and hopefully help her pass it.

The following links will provide you with a lot of information about feline constipation and its remedies:

Tanya's Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic Renal Failure - Constipation
Feline Constipation Home Page

[laurief]

Oh, and relative to her high serum phosphorus - she should be put on aluminum hydroxide (a phos binder) immediately with every meal to bring down her phos level as quickly as possible. Al hyd, however, can be very constipating, so when you start giving her that, you should also give her Miralax to counteract its constipating effects. You can read all about the use of these meds on Tanya's site.

Laurie