Veterinary Clinic North Bend OR

Practitioner's Corner—About Pets: Failing Kidneys

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By Donna Kelleher, D.V.M.

Q: We’ve been told that our cat’s kidneys are failing. What can we do?

A: In cats, kidney failure is often less dire than it sounds; many felines with this diagnosis live healthy lives for years, especially if you support them with both natural and conventional therapies.

For example, if the problem isn’t severe, then just feeding your cat a canned-food diet, avoiding dry food if possible, and giving him lots of fresh water may be all he needs. (He may be more inclined to drink water if you invest in one of those neat new water fountains for pets—cats love them! Most big pet stores carry them.) It might also be helpful to keep him inside and avoid vaccinating him; a recent study at Colorado State Veterinary School found a link between kidney disease and the FVRCP vaccine.

But if the disease has progressed, and your cat has a tendency to be dehydrated (your vet will know), you’ll need to learn to give your cat injections of fluid a few times a week. Your vet can sell you a hydration kit and show you how to use it. Vitamin B12 injections, which your vet can give, may also boost your cat’s appetite and energy.

I also recommend these natural supplements: 500 mg fish oil to support the body’s metabolism; the Chinese herbal formulas Liu Wei Di Huang Tang (Rehmania 6) and Ba Wei Di Huang Wan (Rehmania 8); and oral vitamin B12. If you want to go the extra mile, add regular acupuncture treatments to the mix.

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