The gentlest and most courteous of my four cats, my darling little Pushkin, is unwell.

He hasn’t been eating very much and what initially alerted me, he just kept hiding in odd places and generally behaving out of sorts.

I thought at first he was just going through a scaredy-cat phase, Russian Blues are prone to timidity, and often like to be left alone, but as he got thinner I realised it must be more than that. With a sinking heart I took him to my vet, Gerard, who did some tests on him and they came back showing us that he is suffering from chronic renal failure.

Sadly, as everyone who has ever had a cat with this illness knows, there is no cure for it, and it is a matter of luck how advanced the illness is and how long his life expectancy might be.

In two days’ time he is having a further series of tests, which will show us how advanced his illness now is. I have already had to have the conversation about euthanasia but right now he still has a quality of life. He is painfully thin, but since he has been on the renal diet and slow release antibiotics and ace-inhibitors his appetite has improved a little, so fingers crossed.

I would love to hear from others out there who have nursed their cats through renal failure, so do message me if you have the time.

Comments (14)

Katie said:

Poorly Pushkin This is sad, sad news. I hope and pray your Vet will do all he can to ensure Pushkin has a painfree quality of life - while he can. Nine years ago one of my cats developed renal problems, the weight loss was horrific to see. The only "cure" available then was to return my cat to the vet hospital every sixth week so that his system could be flushed. The alternative was to have him peacefully and painlessly put to sleep - this was the decision I made then. It is heartening to know treatment has moved forward since that darkest of days nine years ago and long may research into feline renal failure continue. God Bless you dearest Pushkin, and give strength to Marilyn.

April 22, 2010

Sue Smith said:

Pushkin Dear Marilyn, in response to your recent message about your cat Pushkin, I too have a cat with the same illness. Suki is nearly 18 years old now and has been on Fortekor- an ace inhibitor- for about 2 years. She too had got very thin and still is thin but the meds have stabilised her and she is well "in her own way". We have adjusted to how she wants to lead her life- quietly in some isolation from our other cats- having the food that she finds palatable. She is happy and content in her little world unaware of what lies ahead. We are amazed she appears as well as she does. With six monthly check-ups we hope all will stay well but are reminded of the inevitibility of this condition each time I give her the tablet. My message to you is to remain hopeful that modern veterinary medicines can help give Pushkin a stable quality of life that you can cherish. With best wishes Sue

April 23, 2010

Marilyn Edwards said:

Reply to Katie - Poorly Pushkin Hi Katie, your message helped me so much, thank you enormously. It is good that things have moved on a little in the field of feline renal failure and the good news is that Pushkin is a little better and has put on a tiny amount of weight. He has an ok quality of life and is going out in the garden apparently hunting, unsuccessfully, eating grass and drinking from the bird bath as usual. We take each day at a time and at the moment it feels good. But thank you, this helped a lot. Marilyn

April 25, 2010

Marilyn Edwards said:

Reply to Sue Smith - Pushkin Sue your message about your Suki has given me great hope. It would be amazing if Pushkin were allowed another couple of years. I have been rather braced for a shorter passage. But you are absolutely right that the combination of renal diet, a quiet life, more tlc, ace inhibitors etc really do make a big difference. Thank you so much for this Marilyn

April 25, 2010

lucy stokes said:

pushkin sorry to hear about Pushkin, lets hope that the medication and the diet gives him a chance to live longer. it's good to read that Pushkin is coping well with his daily routine as much as he can.

May 02, 2010

Marilyn Edwards said:

Reply to Lucy How sweet of you to think about Pushkin. He is doing well right now and for the last few days has been eating better. It is up and down. He likes to go out and at the moment he just listens to the nestlings, but soon they will be hopping about suicidally! :- Marilyn PS sorry Lucy for not having replied to your emails, but this is a sort of reply!

May 02, 2010

carys middletons granny pat said:

pushkin dear Marilyn this is my third attempt to comment i keep losing my comments. not very good at this. so sorry to hear that pushkin is unwell - I hope that the medication is giving him some ease and it soun ds better ,that he is eating. I will write fully when I find how to send this to yo9u Pat - Carys middleton's granny

May 03, 2010

Marilyn Edwards said:

reply to Pat Thank you Pat for your kind message about Pushkin. He seems to be having an off period at the moment and is hard to feed. Sad. Marilyn

May 04, 2010

Adele McCarthy said:

Hard to feed. Dear Marilyn. Firstly, I'm so very sorry to hear of Pushkin's condition, you have my sincere sympathy. I lost my beloved cat "Colin" to renal failure, so know how difficult it is for you at the moment. This may sound somehwat off the wall, but when Colin had phases of being difficult to feed, the only thing we could get down him was Doromin Tetra Doromin fish food. We did ask the vet whether it was ok, and he said that anything was better than nothing. I think that the strong smell helped, and we only resorted to this when he was on his last legs. It may be worth asking your vet's opinion, but I thought I would mention it as it was the only thing that we could get Colin to eat, all be it in small quantities.

May 05, 2010

Marilyn Edwards said:

reply to Adele Adele thank you so much for your advice on Doromin Tetra Doromin - but it is fish food! How astonishing that your Colin ate it. At the moment the only brand of food Pushkin will lick is Royal Canin Renal and there is some concentrated chicken paste which he will sort of eat and otherwise Hill's dried K/D - think he needs to go back to the vet probably - sigh! I will email you directly about the fish food though, I am intrigued! Marilyn

May 06, 2010

Jill said:

Kitties and Kidneys Dear Marilyn, My heart goes out to you and Pushkin. I lost my precious Pandora five years ago to renal failure at the age of 13. I have three other ‘kids’, including a now 17 year old tuxedo female named Gooj. Her kidney problems started just over two years ago, but thankfully I caught it earlier than with poor Pandora. I've had her on an ACE inhibitor called Benazepril (in transdermal form - lotion applied to the inside of her ear flap) and she has stabilized, even gained a little weight. She's also on Methimazole now for hyperthyroid. My vet didn't advise a "renal" diet, but rather just very good quality grain free wet food, avoiding red meat. I also give her aloe vera and lactulose to help her digestion and keep her regular, as well as Bio-Iso-G-Plus – a glucosamine mixture with Devil’s Claw Yucca extract. In the last 8 months she has returned to her feisty self, feeling more substantial in body and more active, able to jump up onto the kitchen counter again. My vet says that the trouble with dry food is that it's very dehydrating, and much of it is made with meat "by-products" that have no nutritional value, and corn meal – another useless filler. I’m in British Columbia, Canada, so I don’t know what’s available to you there in Cumbria. The canned brands that Gooj seems to like the best are “Wellness” and “GO!” I wish you all the best, and hope for good news in your next posting.

June 13, 2010

Marilyn Edwards said:

Pandora and Gooj Dear Jill I found your message about your own cats very helpful and interesting, thank you. The good news about Pushkin at the moment is that he has gained a little weight and his creatine levels have fallen, which is excellent, but sadly his urea is higher than it was. The ace inhibitors are clearly helping him but I fear he is still not drinking enough. He licks his renal wet food enthusiastically, but doesn't eat much of it. I was rather relying on the vet prescribed renal food to sort him out, but as he isn't eating it and having read your message I have spent all evening looking at internet suppliers of UK cat food that come as near as possible to your "Wellness" and "Go" which we don't have here and have now ordered two new brands of high percentage fish. (Slightly worried as vet says he mustn't have high protein, that is the problem with CRF. We will see!) I am so sorry to hear about your heartbreak over Pandora but it is great news that you are doing so well with Gooj and good luck with that - you are clearly doing what Gooj needs, so I am impressed. Keep up the good work and best wishes to you both Marilyn

June 13, 2010

Maria said:

pushkin hi marilyn sorry to hear about Pushkin.how is he doing.I live with sister and 8 cat my older 1 is about 10 she has cancer.she is fine so far loves in garden worry about day we take her to vet.in no pain to far.take care

June 30, 2010

Marilyn Edwards said:

reply to Maria I replied to your email Maria, but it didn't work. Thanks for asking about Pushkin. He is doing alright but keeping him eating is difficult. Thank you for asking. So sorry to hear you have an ailing ten year old cat with cancer. Really sad. Trust your vet to know when the time has come. All the best to you all Marilyn

July 01, 2010

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