Chronic Renal Failure

Azrael's Story

Azrael was diagnosed with Chronic Renal Failure in August 1998. She'd had a urinary tract infection that didn't go away and she started regularly going outside her litterbox and throwing up in bed (two very unusual behaviors for this very clean and proper kitty!). Unfortunately, the veterinary clinic we had been going to for some years had had some personnel changes and one of the vets we started being stuck with wasn't very interested in finding out what was wrong with our poor kitty. One time, he said that she probably was just constipated and suggested that we go home and feed her some pumpkin. We spoke to Azrael's "Uncle" Dave in Atlanta and posted on the Best Friends message boards and both the vet there and Dave thought that someone needed to do some blood-work on Azrael. So, I had to insist that we see a different vet (I'd previously made an appointment with another vet at the same clinic and asked not to see the one we didn't like -- but they sent him in anyway!) and insisted on the tests and then I received the most horrible phone call later that day saying that my kitty was very sick. She said that Azrael had Chronic Renal Failure and explained that there wasn't much we could do for her and that eventually it would get so bad that she'd pee everywhere and we'd have to put her to sleep!!

Well, thank goodness for David. I was in tears and Tony called him and the ever calm voice of reason told us that it might not be so bad. He said that we should take Az to the University and have them run some tests to be sure of the diagnosis, and that if she did indeed have kidney failure, that there were treatments for it. That's how we came to meet Dr. Jennifer Brinson at the University of Illinois Veterinary Hospital. She ran tests and confirmed the diagnosis and started treatments including daily subcutaneous fluids, Lasix (because Az was hypercalcemic), Cisapride (to keep the bowels moving, Cimetidine (to prevent ulcers--[trade name Tagamet]) and now also Lactulose (to soften the stool). Azrael's blood values are looking good and her kidneys haven't degraded any since August (it's now June of the following year!).

When this all began we didn't know anything about chronic renal failure. Since August we've talked to many people who've lost their pets to this disease. We've also, though, talked to people who have had pets live many years with the condition. Although it is basically a death sentence (we've been warned that in the final stages of the disease, the cat will basically starve to death unless euthanized, because she won't be able to digest food any longer), if caught early, treatment can sometimes maintain a normal quality of life for years.

Here are some tips:

• if your cat is not using the litterbox, ALWAYS go to your vet to check if there are physical reasons before assuming that it's just behavioral.
• if your vet doesn't seem to take a problem seriously enough, change vets
• don't be afraid to get a second opinion. On-line vets such as the ones at Best Friends can sometimes give you a good idea of what questions/tests are appropriate
• University Vet School Clinics are a good place to go if your pet may have a chronic condition. Expect the visits to take a longer time and that your bills may be higher because they will run more tests.
• if your pet has a serious condition requiring special care, try to find support where you can. You will likely feel very frustrated, scared and guilty at the beginning. This is normal. Everything gets easier once it's more routine. Talking to others who have pets with special needs is a real comfort because they understand what you are going through.
• some people will never understand why anyone would go to so much trouble over a pet. (treatments may be inconvenient and expensive) Others will think that you are making the animal suffer by giving him/her medicines or injections all the time or just by making him/her live with the ailment. Ignore these people and talk to others who do understand. Azrael has been such a good friend to us and she's part of our family. We will do anything that we can to keep her comfortable and happy as long as we can.

Feline Chronic Renal Failure Information Center -- Azrael has CRF and this is a good resouce

Nadia's CRF page -- this is probably the best resource on feline health (not just CRF) that I've found.

Special Needs resource list -- links to sites about all sorts of Pet Health Concerns, such as Cancer, Heart Disease, Diabetes, etc.

Petloss.com -- home to the Monday Candle Ceremony (for people and pets who are mourning or have serious health problems)

The Message Board at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is a great place for veterinary advice, prayers and encouragement or chit-chatting with other animal lovers.

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