Another Basho update

Went to TED this morning. Kidney values aren't getting worse, but
they're not getting better either and are still above normal. He got
sub-Q fluids at the clinic and some potassium pills because his levels
are low. We're supposed to give him fluids once a day and monitor his
behavior. If he does not get worse, we'll be back at TED next week for
a checkup. Basho is not touching the renal diet and he doesn't have
much of an appetite. Will try more foods to find one he likes. Or
should I be force-feeding him with a syringe? I think that's what two
of you recommended.

Victor

"Victor Martinez" wrote in message
...
Went to TED this morning. Kidney values aren't getting worse, but
they're not getting better either and are still above normal. He got
sub-Q fluids at the clinic and some potassium pills because his levels
are low. We're supposed to give him fluids once a day and monitor his
behavior. If he does not get worse, we'll be back at TED next week for
a checkup. Basho is not touching the renal diet and he doesn't have
much of an appetite. Will try more foods to find one he likes. Or
should I be force-feeding him with a syringe? I think that's what two
of you recommended.


Try to be a little more patient and allow the sub-Q fluids a few days to
work. Cats with newly diagnosed CRF are often very dehydrated before it's
noticed they are ill and dehydration really puts them off their food.
I consider I have a little experience as we've been struggling with KFC's
CRF for quite a while now and her appetite is certainly a challenge.

She was on a renal diet when she was first diagnosed but would only eat it
for about two weeks. They try to make it palatable but I don't think it is,
particularly, and palatability is very important for a CRF kitty as their
appetite is shot.
Certainly try him with different foods you think he will like, he will
probably have to be fed separately from the others from now on or they will
scarf his more delicious meal rather than their own.
You may end up feeding him roast chicken like I did with KFC but now she is
actually back eating cat food which I thought would never happen.

Kitty is not on sub-Q as the vets are not keen on us doing it ourselves but
she drinks a rehydration fluid instead of water which I make up myself from
a recipe I had (vets approval) - apparently just the same as you can buy for
$$$$. If you'd like the recipe for it, just ask. I find it really helps
her.

I would try not to syringe feed him quite yet. That's a last resort really.
Give it a little time with the sub-Q first and see if his appetite picks up.
If not we can think again. He will be OK even if only picks at his food for
a while. Expect him to lose weight, CRF cats always do (and dogs) as their
kidneys excrete protein.
If I can help you at all, please ask.

Tweed

no advice on the food but will keep purring, Lee
"Victor Martinez" wrote in message
...
Went to TED this morning. Kidney values aren't getting worse, but
they're not getting better either and are still above normal. He got
sub-Q fluids at the clinic and some potassium pills because his levels
are low. We're supposed to give him fluids once a day and monitor his
behavior. If he does not get worse, we'll be back at TED next week for
a checkup. Basho is not touching the renal diet and he doesn't have
much of an appetite. Will try more foods to find one he likes. Or
should I be force-feeding him with a syringe? I think that's what two
of you recommended.

Victor

Went to TED this morning. Kidney values aren't getting worse, but
they're not getting better either and are still above normal. He got
sub-Q fluids at the clinic and some potassium pills because his levels
are low. We're supposed to give him fluids once a day and monitor his
behavior. If he does not get worse, we'll be back at TED next week for
a checkup. Basho is not touching the renal diet and he doesn't have
much of an appetite. Will try more foods to find one he likes. Or
should I be force-feeding him with a syringe? I think that's what two
of you recommended.

Victor

I'd mix some of the food he likes in with the renal diet, to make it taste
better.
Feeding him with a syringe might be an option if he doesn't go for that.
Purrs for Basho and for you.
Kyla

"Victor Martinez" wrote in message
...
Went to TED this morning. Kidney values aren't getting worse, but
they're not getting better either and are still above normal. He got
sub-Q fluids at the clinic and some potassium pills because his levels
are low. We're supposed to give him fluids once a day and monitor his
behavior. If he does not get worse, we'll be back at TED next week for
a checkup. Basho is not touching the renal diet and he doesn't have
much of an appetite. Will try more foods to find one he likes. Or
should I be force-feeding him with a syringe? I think that's what two
of you recommended.

Victor

You might check with the vet about the syringe feeding. My vet said that
even a couple of days without eating can damage a cat's kidneys, and if
there's a problem with them in the first place, that could be really bad.

Purrs for Basho, and for you.

Joy

Joy wrote:
You might check with the vet about the syringe feeding. My vet said that
even a couple of days without eating can damage a cat's kidneys, and if
there's a problem with them in the first place, that could be really bad.

He is eating, just not a whole lot. He used to pig out and even barf
sometimes because he ate too much. Now he takes a couple of bites and
walks away.

--
Victor M. Martinez
Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM)
Send your spam he
Email me he

"Victor Martinez" wrote in message
...
Joy wrote:
You might check with the vet about the syringe feeding. My vet said that
even a couple of days without eating can damage a cat's kidneys, and if
there's a problem with them in the first place, that could be really bad.

He is eating, just not a whole lot. He used to pig out and even barf
sometimes because he ate too much. Now he takes a couple of bites and
walks away.

--
Victor M. Martinez

That's hard to see, I know.

Joy

Victor, have you asked your vet about an appetite stimulant? I posted re
Kenzie about this - mirtazapine is what helped Tucker get his appetite back
after his major surgery in the fall - cyproheptadine is another appetite
stimulant but not as strong.
Also, at this point I'd try all kinds of foods to try and get Basho just
wanting to eat - my vet suggested at the time trying the chicken and turkey
single ingredient baby food jars (read and make sure there is no onion in
it) which Tucker liked. I also asked my local speciality pet food store
that I go to for something to tempt him to eat and they have a very
knowledgeable nutrition person there who recommened Weruva brand "Paw
Lickin" Chicken - it's a very good food and I still give it to my guys as a
treat because it is about $1.89 for a 5.5 can but it got Tucker interested
in eating/drinking the broth. Here's a tinyurl link for you on it:
http://tinyurl.com/d2tmoc
When you look at the food, it looks good enough to eat for us! I also hand
fed him; you might try that with Basho and see if he responds to the extra
attention. Also, I tried a bit of the canned AD prescription diet from the
vet - it does have it's uses to try and stimulate cats and dogs to eat.
I hope this helps. Meanwhile purrs continuing - hang in there.
Christine

"Victor Martinez" wrote in message
...
Joy wrote:
You might check with the vet about the syringe feeding. My vet said that
even a couple of days without eating can damage a cat's kidneys, and if
there's a problem with them in the first place, that could be really bad.

He is eating, just not a whole lot. He used to pig out and even barf
sometimes because he ate too much. Now he takes a couple of bites and
walks away.

--
Victor M. Martinez
Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM)
Send your spam he
Email me he

"Christine Burel" wrote in message
...
Victor, have you asked your vet about an appetite stimulant? I posted re
Kenzie about this - mirtazapine is what helped Tucker get his appetite
back after his major surgery in the fall - cyproheptadine is another
appetite stimulant but not as strong.
Also, at this point I'd try all kinds of foods to try and get Basho just
wanting to eat - my vet suggested at the time trying the chicken and
turkey single ingredient baby food jars (read and make sure there is no
onion in it) which Tucker liked. I also asked my local speciality pet
food store that I go to for something to tempt him to eat and they have a
very knowledgeable nutrition person there who recommened Weruva brand "Paw
Lickin" Chicken - it's a very good food and I still give it to my guys as
a treat because it is about $1.89 for a 5.5 can but it got Tucker
interested in eating/drinking the broth. Here's a tinyurl link for you on
it: http://tinyurl.com/d2tmoc
When you look at the food, it looks good enough to eat for us! I also
hand fed him; you might try that with Basho and see if he responds to the
extra attention. Also, I tried a bit of the canned AD prescription diet
from the vet - it does have it's uses to try and stimulate cats and dogs
to eat.
I hope this helps. Meanwhile purrs continuing - hang in there.
Christine


Weruva makes stuff with great ingredients, unusual combinations, no
preservatives, and a good, strong smell-- not good for us slaves, but
important for kitties who are off their feed. The primary thing is to try
to maintain caloric intake and keep weight on him. Stinky went over to a
completely renal dry diet, but I was also trying to get as much yummy,
smelly gooshyfood into him as he would eat.


--
Theresa and Dante

Stinky Forever: http://pets.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh

Christine Burel wrote:
I hope this helps. Meanwhile purrs continuing - hang in there.

Thank you very much everybody for all the advise, I really appreciate
it. Today's stabbing went much smoother, I made sure the fluids were
body temperature and we grabbed Basho while he was sleeping on a fluffy
bed.
I'll ask about an appetite stimulant, I'll also stop by the pet store to
get a variety of foods to try. Basho is an extremely picky eater and he
hates all the super premium (human-grade ingredients) foods, unfortunately.
I ordered a case of fluids and a box of better quality syringes (thanks
Sharon for the links) on the internet today. Even with a hefty shipping
charge, the supplies are 1/10th of what the vet charges.
If we can get Basho to eat more, I think we're going to be ok, but keep
those purrs coming. I know they make all the difference.

--
Victor M. Martinez
Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM)
Send your spam he
Email me he