I'm reposting this as there is new information.

ATTENTION CAT LOVERS!!!

Too many of our cats are dying of chronic kidney disease. (chronic renal failure: CRF) We can't cure it but we can help, by identifying the signs, taking care and enabling our cats to live longer and better lives. A cat with kidney problems needs to eat special, quality food. Wet food is recommended for these cats.

Clinics and hospitals – please inform the people and animals that you help. Passing the information via your distribution lists will help so much, as non-clinicians don't have the tools to diagnose.

In general, if your pet displays one or more of the following take him or her to the vet IMMEDIATELY.

(From a poster in an animal clinic)

Clinical signs of infection
Weight loss*
Weakness
Loss of appetite
Fever
Vomiting**
Diarrhea**
Mouth ulcers***
Chronic bacterial infection

CRF connected:
* A cat may eat well but lose weight due to the kidney dysfunction. If your cat is eating regularly, the weight loss is gradual and he or she has a thick, fluffy fur – you might not notice at first. It's a good idea to weigh your cat regularly.
** If a cat goes outdoors, some of the symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, irregular stools could go unnoticed.
*** Halitosis – if a cat has very bad breath, it's often a sign of illness more serious than dental decay.
**** Urination: If cats urinate in unusual places, not in the cat litter as usual, it may indicate a lack of bladder control. Urination is often more profuse and frequent. If cats wet themselves – this is a very serious symptom- to the vet IMMEDIATELY!
***** Dehydration: this is also a major symptom. Vets check this by gently gathering the cat by the scruff of the neck. Loose skin: a healthy cat. Tight skin: dehydration.

Some studies suggest a connection between vaccination and CRF, the vaccination may make the condition worse – so take note if you vaccinate your cat.


PLEASE TAKE NOTE AND DISTRIBUTE THE INFORMATION TO AS MANY PEOPLE AND SOURCES AS POSSIBLE.
Thank you so much.

Can I just add another thing to watch for..........your cat drinking from taps. I thought it was just a cute quirk when my little girl started doing this, she would actually sit in the sink, but was later advised by the vet it was a sign.
She died a couple of years ago from kidney failure. I would have sought help much earlier had I known.
Jan.

Wonderful Information!!!!

Shuki, my beautiful Shuki fought a long battle against Kidney failure. I lost him 4 years ago this coming October. What really annoyed me was that when I researched kidney failure America was so much more advanced. I remember going to my vets with reams of printouts and asking for this medication. They even did kidney transplants!!!!
In the end I held him in my arms when he crossed over.

Shuki was an exceptional cat, amazing when you think he was thrown from a car and the car hit him that was behind. I adopted him from a rescue centre. He had his leg in plaster. He had a broken pelvis, cracked rib, broken leg and cuts and bruises. BUT he still trusted humans. everyone that met him wanted him. My big beautiful boy, I know he now chases butterflies in a beautiful garden. If I ever got my hands on the people that did that to him, I would not be responsible for what I would do.

Somebody on another site wrote that his cat used to drink in the sink too. He also thought it was cute, without knowing that it was a sign.
Thank you for helping me spread the word!