21-03-2009, 07:44 PM
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Pet Forums VIP Member
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Surrey
Posts: 2,289
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Re: My Cat Diagnosed With Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) Advice Needed Please.
Hi
I am sorry to hear about your babies diagnosis, but if he is in the early stages of CRF then he could have years of good quality of life left. It depends on what his levels are -BUN and creatinin (sp?) My Jazz was diagnosed with CRF when he was 10 yrs old, and he lived a further 5 1/2 yrs before it finally got the better of him in 2003.
With CRF they don't suffer from pain, I asked my vet and he described it as when the toxins build up in their system they feel like they have a hang over.
I take it you have been prescribed fortekor, which is their staple hand out. From what I have read the affects of that are still debatable, but if you put that into google you will be able find out and make a decision.
If you want more info from people who are caring for CRF cats then there are a few good yahoo groups on the subject :
Feline-CRF-Support : Chronic Renal Failure Cats
FelineCRF : Feline CRF
feline-crf-info : Feline CRF Information
Plus some other useful reference sites :
Tanya's Feline CRF Information Centre
Feline CRF Information Center - Reception Desk
Feline Kidney Diseases And Kidney Failure In Cats - felinegood.co.uk
The first link is excellent and she has a lot of information about the levels of protein and phosphorus - which is the main thing to ensure is a very low level - in all sorts of food including regular food you can get in the supermarket. There are also phosperous binders which can help - Renalzin is a new one Organ & Dietary Requiements : Renalzin Phosphate Reducer Aiding Kidney Function - £6.61 and it may be worth asking your vet about it.
If your cat does end up needing a special diet then you can save money by buying it online, you don't need a prescription, so I would do a bit of research first.
When you first hear the diagnosis, its very depressing but your cat could have years of normal life ahead of them, so its not all doom and gloom.
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