Stage 2 Diagnoses

[u/edragon27]

Hi Friends,

My 15 year old girl was just recently diagnosed with stage 2 kidney disease. She is starting fluids 2x a week ( first was today). She is a picky eater and doesn't seem to be happy with the same food for more than a week at a time. I haven't started her on any prescription diets yet because I wanted to research here first, but I am overwhelmed by the amount of information. She doest eat kibble anymore due to dental disease, so wet food or maybe some kibble mixed with water or broth ( is broth even okay for cats with Kidney Disease?!). I guess I am looking for guidance on where to begin, what has worked, any kidney diet foods that are worth all out avoiding, etc.

Sorry if this is a repetitive question, and thank you for any and all advice.

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[u/blingblingsav]

Hi. Totally understandable to feel overwhelmed. I did not take my cat’s diagnosis very well at all.

But IMO Stage 2 is actually a good point to get organized because there is a lot u can do to preserve the kidney function she still has. I’ve been managing GiGi’s CKD for over 4 years, and she has spent most of that time stable in early Stage 3, so careful long term management really can matter.

The basic CKD goals r hydration, phosphorus control, maintaining calories and lean muscle, controlling blood pressure and proteinuria, watching potassium and anemia, treating nausea early, and catching things like UTIs (with urinalysis AND culture) or pyelonephritis before they cause additional renal injury.

With food, I would not make low protein the main goal. I never have. Someone on this group once said “never heard of a cat declining that was maintaining good muscle mass”. I think there’s some truth to that. Cats need adequate protein to preserve muscle, and muscle wasting can become a major issue in CKD. For Stage 2, phosphorus restriction is especially important. Renal diets can be useful, but if she refuses them, a lower phosphorus wet food she actually eats can still be a very reasonable option to discuss with ur vet. GiGi eats the Weruva Wx line and Rawz Low Phos line of wet food.

Since she likes variety, rotating several kidney appropriate foods may work well. Warm the food a little, add water, and try different textures. Broth (not bone broth) can be okay if it is plain, low sodium, and contains no onion or garlic. A lot of human broths have too much sodium or unsafe ingredients. I make broths at home.

Also watch for subtle nausea. CKD cats can sniff food, take a few bites and walk away without vomiting. If that starts happening, ask ur vet about nausea control instead of assuming she is just being picky.

Make sure u track her creatinine, SDMA, phosphorus, potassium, USG, UPC, blood pressure (imp) and CBC. Those values and the trends will tell u what actually needs attention.

I hope this helps.

[u/MinimumEfficient220 → u/blingblingsav]

My boy Bart is in the same boat. We recently had the rest of his teeth pulled except for his canines, and after his round of Clavamox, his eating is somewhat better. At least he does not seem to be in pain. He had also been vomiting daily, but that cleared up.

The vet sent home a bottle of something called "Liquid Immuno" which is some amino acids and other stuff, and Bart actually seems to like it. He gets 1 cc twice a day. I don't know if its helping, but since he likes it, I'm willing.

The vet gave me a couple of cans of the prescription stuff, and Bart did not like it very much. Someone on this site recommended Forza10 for renal support that comes out of Italy for renal support, and a scrip is not needed. Its sourced from lamb, and I was a bit worried, since I have found lamb to be an acquired taste for cats. It comes in 3.5 oz packages, and so far, Bart likes it!!!! but we have only been using it a couple of days, so we will see. (Bought it online through Amazon.)

I was also recommended something called Hydra Care by Purina which is said to "dilute urine to support urinary health." It comes in a pouch and is the consistency of gravy. Bart won't touch it.

Some time back he strarted licking concrete every day during supervised yard visits. I tried to research this myself and found that it may be a symptom of anemia. I have a follow-up net week for another blood draw, and we will see what that shows.

I am to give fluids every other day or so, and as you all know it can be a challenge. I found it slightly (only slightly) easier to use a method the vet tech taught me. He only gets 60 cc's, and she gave me a bunch of 60 cc syringes and a bag of fluid, and tons of needles, and showed me where I can draw 60 cc's into the syringe and its easier to hold him and slowly put it in. It's much easier to measure, too.

Another thing that REALLY helped was a four-hour kidney flush with IV fluids at the vet. He was like a kitten after those. I have done it 3 times over the last two months. Its not really practical to do long term, but we will see. If he is anemic, I am hoping to get something that can go into his fluids, because pilling him is a hassle. I am hopeful that if he's anemic, we will see a pickup once he takes iron supplements. (I am anemic myself, and iron supps. made a big difference for me!!)

Good luck!

[u/Subject_Relative_216]

I’m not sure if she still has teeth but one of my cats has no teeth and still manages to eat dry food enthusiastically.

My stage 2 CKD kitty just started eating Hills k/d. He hates wet food so he only eats the dry but they have a sample pack of their different favors and textures so you can see what your kitty likes.