Accepted Answer

Hi Tetley,
There are lots of things to try to help your cat feel better, and eat better. The only cure for this problem is a kidney transplant, which is actually available and very expensive.

The first thing I do is a urinalysis, to see if the kidneys are losing protein into the urine. If so, I start them on a medication called benazapril, which can be compounded by a pharmacist as a get that is rubbed into the ears.

If there is vomiting, I start Pepcid AC, 2.5 milligrams twice daily. If the phosphorus levels are high, I try to start them on a phosphorus binder. If the potassium levels are low, I add a potassium supplement. If the phosphorous levels are normal, I start a medication called calcitriol. There is a probiotic called "Azodyl" that is supposed to help remove the waste products that the kidneys no longer remove. I have seen some cats helped by some, or all, of these medications. The problem is how much medication you can get into your cat, without affecting the quality of life.

Another thing that helps a lot of cats is to get supplemental fluids under the skin daily or every other day. You can learn how to do this at home yourself.

I would start with a urinalysis, and if there is "proteinuria" or excess protein in the urine, I would start with the subcutaneous fluids and the benazapril. If the cat is not acting and eating better, and is easy to medicate, then I would start some of the other meds. My cat did great on just fluids and benazapril. Then when he got worse, I added the calcitriol, and he survived another year after that. All cats are different, in which meds and which food and which treatment help the most. Hope you and your veterinarian can come up with a treatment that will keep your kitty going for some time to come. Hope this helps, Rebecca

Expert:	RebeccaVet
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Accepts:
Answered:	8/4/2009

Cat Veterinarian

Veterinarian for 23 years; Member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners