I am new here and looking for some advice from other puddytat owners. My boy Sam is about 16, have never had any health problems with him since he adopted me 10yrs ago. A few months ago he started renal probs, which was diagnosed via a blood test after I noticed him drinking a lot.

I am giving him the Royal Canin wet and dry food, it's a nightmare cus he is a jelly boy and it only comes in gravy. I also give him a coley steak and some chicken breast once a week. But because he isn't keen on the renal food I am also giving him the odd packet of senior which he has been on for a long while anyway

I also noticed about 3 months ago that he seemed to be developing arthritis (from what I have read on the net). My vet has given me a supplement which I crush into his food but the little monster knows and doesn't always get his full dose and often leaves it until his food dries out and I have to throw it away.

The last couple of weeks, since we had a very warm spell, I have noticed it worsen in that his hind legs are very very tender and he doesn't like me going near them, although he still loves his cuddles. He sleeps a lot anyway but is sleeping over 20hrs a day at the moment. I know he is feeling miserable with it and I am taking him back to the vets tomorrow.

I have already discussed options with my vet in that certain meds are not suitable because of his renal probs. Then I am told by another vet he could have steroids.

Not ever having been along this road before I never take what my vet says as gospel as they all seem to have different ideas and ways of treating animals with certain conditions. I am pretty hot on finding stuff out for myself via the net but as we all know, not every site is 100% correct nor trustworthy with it's advice.

I am seeking some advice and tips from other puddytat mums and dads on this forum, whose cat(s) have the same problems and what recommendations / treatments you follow and what problems/improvements you have seen. Thank you

I don't have any experience of renal problems or arthritis, but I do have a cat who suffers from inflammation in his mouth, and my search on the net turned up a lot of results on arthritis when I was researching inflammation. It turns out most forms of arthritis involve inflammation of the joints.

In humans, this is often helped by reducing sugar (particularly refined sugar) in the diet, so that might be something to look at, although you'd obviously have to find a balance between that and his other specific dietary needs.

I know that non-steroidal anti-inflammatories are the prefered choice (rather than steroids) for my cat's mouth condition, but also I know some of these put extra strain on the kidneys, so won't be suitable for your Sam. It might be worth asking your vet if this is an option, though, because there may be one that would be suitable. Neither NSAIDs nor steroids are great for long term treatment, but sometimes they are necessary to maintain quality of life. You may also find that a short course of anti-inflammatory medication will get this bout of arthritis under control, and he will be fine again when the weather gets cooler.

Not good news am afraid but two cats of mine had renal failure -again wouldn't eat the vet's specialised food stuff. They were about the same age as yours is. In the end with both of them (they died 12 months apart) we decided to feed them whatever they would eat, prawns was one cat's preference, and for a week to ten days kept them loved and comfortable until we could tell the kindest thing to do was to, very sadly, put to sleep (could go War and Peace on the way my (now-ex) vet handled the first one.

It's hard but I know they had a good life and it had ceased to be one for them. It does make you wonder what we are doing so wrong that cat's with renal failure is so common, doesn't it?

I currently have a cat which has been diagnosed with arthritis in both front legs -although he uses one the other is constantly held up and he hops everywhere. He is only about 10 max (not sure as was a stray about 8 years ago) He no longer sleeps on his usual place (my bed) and has taken to sleeping in the wardrobe. The vet has prescribed Tramadol !! ??? I have yet to get him to eat anything with this in ..he backs away from even cooked chicken as if it has been poisened. I think he knows more than the vet. Any advice out there? Have you ever heard of Tramadol given to cats? Any advise greatly appreciated.

so sorry I missed your replies, have been so pre-occupied with all my pets and work plus I didn't tick the box to receive an email notification upon replies

With renal problems it's really important to have a good, knowledgeable and proactive vet. You cat sounds in the early stages of CRF which is good given with correct management it's possible to slow down the progression of the disease for a long time. I would highly recommend you read the following the website and join the group for excellent advice and support-there's a link at the bottom of the page.

Tanya's Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic Renal Failure

Here's a link to the section on Arthritis and treatments for CRF cats.

http://www.felinecrf.org/treatments....tis_treatments

Based on what you describe this sounds more like an injury to me as opposed to arthritis. Not sure how long it's been going on but I think it would be worth have an X-ray and thorough physical examination to help pinpoint what the problem might be. In fact I'd get a second opinion.

As far as I'm aware Tramadol is an off-label painkiller ie only licenced for humans though vets can prescribe it. Sounds a bit strong to me and he'd probably do better with an anti-inflammatory, once the cause is identified of course.

oooops sorry responded to the wrong one, my head is completely mushed today lol

thank you very much Ianthi, I shall have a good read of that site. Sam has been on senior food for a few years now and I dot between this and the renal wet food as he isn't keen on the renal. He was blood tested a while ago and showed the early stages of renal but because I am a wonderful and generally knowledgeable mum it hasn't progressed much. His weight is still spot on although he still drinks quite a bit.

Am off to the vet in about half an hour to have another discussion about the steroid injections which he has only had 2 of up to now; they only last a week and she did tell me there was another one he could have that lasts around a month but am not sure I like that idea in case he has a reaction to it

am so worried about my boy. Quite pleased that the blood results came back and only showed slight deterioration as regards his kidneys but it's the arthritis that is getting him down. he had another steroid injection on Wednesday (only lasts 5 days) and it has helped his mobility a little although I think it affects his sleeping, I noticed he seemed quite awake when he normally sleeps.

I have put him back on the Seraquin which is a glucosomine but as usual although they say it's quite pallatable, it doesn't work out that way. I usually grind it to a powder and add it to his food but he knows it's there so I make it into a paste now with a tiny bit of butter and spread it on his paws she he licks it off (reluctantly).

He seems to have deteriorated quite quickly with the arthritis, probably because of the change in season. He can have a longer term steroid injection which lasts about a month but I am reluctant to do this, as once it's in his system and he has side effects, might cause more problems.

Am really really in trouble here as to what to do for him, he is definitely having discomfort and I hate seeing my baby miserable

Cats can benefit from glucosamine, like humans. You have to be so, so careful with NSAIDs with cats and especially cats with crf.

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RIP
Tarka, 1989 - 2008 my gentle Phileas Fogg
Bruno, 2008 - 2010 taken too soon my darling boy
Misi, 1993 - 25/3/2012 My brave, beautiful tabby