Kidney Disease and Cats - Everything you need to know

Hit that Super Thanks button if you find the video helpful!

Timestamps for most important points:

What kidneys do (mostly) 1:45

How kidney disease is diagnosed in cats 3:10
Why annual blood tests are important in 'healthy' cats 4:10
Disease management goals 6:30
Emergency treatment for uremic crisis 7:00
Advanced diagnostics and UTIs 8:30
Should you do a kidney ultrasound? 9:35
Treatment of chronic kidney disease in cats 10:40
Food for cats with kidney disease 12:00
Wet food vs Dry food 13:40
Subcutaneous fluids 16:10
Calcitriol (Medication) 18:20
Frequency of monitoring 20:00
How to decide what other meds will be helpful 20:40

Support this channel:

#cat #youtube #howto #squishthatcat #veterinary

In Vancouver, BC? You can meet Dr. Uri and his team at:
===========================================================================

[sanctuaryrain]

I adopted my sweet Smokey at an animal shelter when he was 2 years old. We spent 13 1/2 years todgether, it's so strange now almost a month later to walk into the house and he is no longer there. The first signs were constant need to drink water. The vet prescribed a wet and dry food specifially made for kidney disease. He did well for a few months and then drastically went down hill in a month. Was horrible to make the decision to put him to sleep and then to be there in the vets office petting him, near his face talking to him as she gave him the shot. When she listened to his heart beat and then said he is gone.. I felt numb. She carried him away in a blanket and I carried his empty carrier to the car and then broke down. I miss him so very, very much. I love you Smokey, you will always be in my heart sweet boy ❤

[patriciafachini]

I had a cat with kidney disease and it is not the end of the world for sure! He lived 21 years. Take your cat to the vet frequently to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Thank you for this video, doctor!

[keremcemayaz]

The fact that he petted the cat during the entire course of the video and the cat being so satisfied an chill with it is EXTREMELY adorable 😊☺️☺️😊😻😻

[mochimaniac-]

Mr. Pirate looks happy to be there. He is such a sweet boy.

[collinrasmussen]

I miss my princess so much, kidney disease is tough, the last 6 months we hand fed and watered her. We gave her subcutaneous fluids weekly and that really seemed to help. She still never had an accident and always was the perfect kitty. She passed in December at 19 years old.
I miss you Nibbles.

[JohnPMiller]

I don't even have a cat, but I'll be watching. A friend lost her cat to kidney disease, and now, 10 years later, she's dealing with this for her current cat. It's a terrible disease!😿

[vampireturtle]

17:00 "Treating an animal that wants to murder you is just a special kind of awesome" The best line to represent cat people ever. Love your content Dr. Uri.

[nativeunamerican]

Lost my cat to kidney disease in December, it was truly a horrible end and took such a heavy toll on all of us. Good spreading awareness, if you don't manage it early enough it's a bad time!

[pilotcb]

It's a horrible disease but the subcutaneous saline treatments work very well when given as prescribed. Our cat was diagnosed Stage 2-3 when he was 18, gave him the saline treatments every day for 3 years, and it made him so much more comfortable. Passed away at the ripe old age of 21, not even from the kidney disease. It was a labor of love but totally worth it if you have a cat in the early stages!

[claireconover]

I have 2 older cats, both have underperforming kidneys… this video is actually really useful.
I wish MY cat’s vet explained even just half of all this. instead, I’ve been mostly clueless.

[ciaraskeleton]

I rescued my cat from a horrible home where they had just left her to rot and die. A family members house actually (i dont speak to that family member anymore).

The cat was most likely born with congenital defects. She needed special care so i took her and with vets cared for her as best i could. I knew she was chronically ill and that i wouldn't have her forever but i wasnt aware that she had chronic kidney disease. During her year with me, i got her coat looking shiney+regrow in areas where it'd fallen out, got her eating a great diet, played with her, took her out to play and experience the trees, and cuddled her all the time. She really did seem at one point like she might survive, she looked great and had energy, she was loved and well fed.

Today after her rapidly going downhill, i had to have her put to sleep. The vet explained that there was nothing i could have done and that she improved for that short time because of my care, but that there was nothing we could do. My heart is shattered into a million pieces. Ive never had a cat whos so loving, talkative, caring, and cuddly. She was so special. Im happy that shes not suffering anymore, but i am going to miss her forever.

[ChristophProbst]

I lost my cat to kidney disease two months ago, two years after her diagnosis. I administered sub-q fluids at home, gave her vitamins, probiotic, and blood pressure medicine everyday. It kept her symptoms at bay and gave her a pretty good quality of life considering everything. Eventually the treatments weren't enough and I could tell that it was time. I didn't let her suffer. I arranged for a vet to come to my home so she could pass in her sleep.

[andrewj]

I'd also like to point out the importance of manually cleaning (or at least checking) the litter box frequently as a way of assessing cat health. I scooped our cat's litter box every day, and noticed that our then 13 year old cat was producing urine clumps that were about 50% larger. This continued for a week, so we brought her to our vet. I feared diabetes or kidney disease. Her urine and blood values were all OK except for her blood urea nitrogen, which was borderline high. The vet put her on a kd diet and fish oil. At her next checkup, her values were all normal range. She lived for another five years on the kd diet and fish oil and never developed full blown kidney disease. This is why I'd be reluctant to buy an automatic self cleaning litter box - especially for an older cat. I would have missed the change in urine output and she may not have lived to the age of 18 had I not scooped her litter box myself every day.

[PetrSojnek]

This will be a bittersweet episode for many I think. Kidney disease can be very quick and surprise killer. I know first hand unfortunately.

[judiroth]

When my soulmate, Oslo, got kidney disease, I gave him lactated ringers 2x a day, trying everything to help him. When he was gone, his absence was everywhere. Been 20 years - miss him everyday❤️

[DivisibleByWaffle]

My proactive vet caught Stage 1 CKD in my 11.5 year old boy during a workup for a routine dental. He is already taking to the special kidney diet, and we're making a game plan for his long-term care. I'm relieved that we caught this early and that we can still spend many more years together!

[ognimaeb]

Thank you for making this video! My cat was diagnosed with kidney disease aged just 5 (she's a rescue, so we don't know what might have caused it). It was a very steep learning curve, but three years later she's still happy and stable. Tanya's Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic kidney Disease has been an invaluable resource for us. I wish more people were aware of this condition, as early management really does make a huge difference.

[EVALLOYD]

I adopted a senior cat of 15 in May of this year and he has quite a few health issues including kidney insufficiency. I have to give him half a pill of Benezcare every morning for life and special food for kidney care, no cheap supermarket stuff for my old buddy. Didn't appreciate at first my gently prising open his little gob to give him the pill but now I suppose he's understood it's just an unpleasant moment to bear for he's less reluctant, could be due to the fact that I give him a little treat straight after the ordeal; after the storm there is a silver lining. He has put on weight since I adopted him for he eats well, always a good sign. Did I mention that he is an utter joy and I've already fallen madly in love. I would highly recommend if you wish to adopt a cat not to overlook senior cats even if they do have health issues, they deserve as much love as younger cats just a bit more care.

[dancingottergirl]

I lost my sweet Danu to kidney disease and cancer earlier this month. Subcutaneous fluids every day for a year when it got bad, bloodwork, and a constant eye. He was my best friend for 18 years. I wish I knew more earlier but I learned as fast as I could and did my best. The sooner people know about how to help maintain this disease the better. Hug your furry friends close

[javorana]

I just want to hug you!! Even though this video is two years old, you don't know how on time it is for me to see it. My cat was just diagnosed with very early signs of kidney disease, and the vet wasn't very informative on what to expect from now on. Just sent us for more tests. So I was beginning to panic and feel hopeless. All this information that you give here finally calms me down. I know now that our situation is not fatal, at least not in the near future, if I do everything right! So, thank you, thank you, thank you! All the best for you and your lovely cats!