Hi! I have a 2 years old siamese. 3 months ago I took her to the vet because she was showing difficulties to breathe. She was hospitalized and the dr had to drain her because she had pleural liquid. She was also diagnosed feline leukemia and her blood tests did show indications of renal failures (BUM and creatinine were altered) but not confirmed. I took her to another vet because I refused to believe my cat was going to die in a few weeks (like the first dr said). This new dr said we could treat her to make her life better. 1 month later dr found a heart murmur and said it was nothing to worry about, but should be checked every 6 months. A month ago she was having breathing troubles again and had to be drained. Dr sent her a treatment with Cardial (for her heart) and Lassix (a diuretic to help her excrete pleura). I had to travel for a week and left her at a pet's hotel. When I came back she was extremely thin and weak. She didn't want to eat dry food, only drink water and when she tried to eat she made weird noises, like grinding. I gave her tuna and chicken and she started eating, still making that noise. Took her to the vet, they made x rays, checked her teeth, and found nothing wrong with her. This last month I've been giving her only chicken and tuna because she doesn't want to eat anything else. 2 days ago she stopped eating, she only drinks lots of water, from her bowl, the shower, my glass, and sleeps all day. Doesn't want to play or sleep with us like she usually does. I've been reading about feline CFR and I'm really worried! Yesterday I stopped the medications because maybe Lassix can be a cause of dehydration. I would like her to eat again before I can take her to the vet, also give the vet an idea of what she may have. Thank youuu! And sorry for the long post.

Sorry to hear about your little cat. I'm assuming she suffers from congestive heart failure which is causing the fluid build-up in her chest?

Lasix can make cats drink more and result in dehydration ( the teeth grinding can be a sign of this as well as stomach acid ) and electrolye imbalances ( sounds as if this is what's happening here and not inherent kidney problems as such ) but please do not stop it completely without consulting your vet. Otherwise you risk the fluid build up again which is potentially dangerous. Instead discuss adjusting ( lowering ) the medication with him. A bloodtest might also be useful to judge effect on kidneys.

It's important she eats so for the moment give her whatever she will eat. I reckon once the medication dose is adjusted and she begins to feel better, her appetite will return.

I'm so sorry to hear about your little baby!! It's so worrying when they're ill. I'm going through that worry now with my eldest cat Seamus. Wishing you good luck xxx

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