Young cat with kidney failure

[waitingwithhope]

We noticed our young, 4 year old indoor cat was losing weight and we took her to the vet only to discover after blood work that she is in kidney failure (she has not been exposed to any anti-freeze, is young and the vet could offer no reason for it). She has been still purring, trying to be her normal self (although she was a bit clingy and we thought something was wrong). We have gone ahead with fluids through IV, 2 days at the vet hospital and she is going to continue to be monitored with her blood work. All her other blood work values came back within the normal range (except for her red blood cell count) and they said it was not an infection (which sadly would have been easier to treat). What are the chances of recovery from this? We all love her very much, my two year old adores her and we thought we would try and save her. The vet said she has never seen kidney failure in a cat so young and could not give us a prognosis.

[JackSammy]

This is my first time posting here, so hopefully this will work properly!  I found this forum by searching for "kidney failure in four year old cat."  Unfortunately, my 4.5 year old male cat just passed due to kidney failure.  I skimmed through the other posts and didn't see this mentioned, but in my buddy's case he only had one developed kidney.  We did an x-ray and two separate ultrasounds to confirm that his left kidney was either completely missing or severely underdeveloped.  A specialist said there was some tissue where the left kidney should be, but it didn't resemble a kidney at all.  We had no idea until he started getting sick.  From initial diagnosis to passing, we had one month.  I just wish I could have him back.  Losing a beloved cat, especially so young, is so devastating. My heart goes out to all of you.

[Shad17]

Hi - just read this post and Opus88 reply.  We suddenly lost our 4.5 yr old friend (3 weeks ago) and it all happened so fast!  We thought our guy had hairballs until his demeanour  changed. We rushed him to Emerg.  An x-ray revealed one very small kidney and the other 3x's the size.  There was speculation that the small one was not working and then the large one was failing.  It became dire after 2 days of liquids, etc, things were getting worse and his little lungs were filling with fluid.  We had to let him pass.  In spite of our shock, we decided to have a necropsy done and are awaiting the results...which btw, does not make this any easier.  We are devastated.  Yes Opus88 & JackSammy - crazy hurt!

[Piparskeggr]

Our Calamity Jane Grey had reduced kidney function the last 2 years of her life (made it to 21 years 4 months).  We gave her Ringer's lactate subcutaneously 3 to 4 times a week (2 - 3 ounces) to help keep her properly hydrated.

If the kidney function loss is mild, kitty can have a good life with help.

[CML2014]

Hi 3Cat,

Thanks so much for posting ! It helps us realize that what might help answer one persons question  might be able to help others who just read here for information We all learn every day. That is why I love this forum.

I cannot tell you how common it is for we cat parents to feel quilt  when we find our pets may have had an illness we did not know about early enough.
I guess it comes with the turf. Since our cats cannot tell us what is wron we will always be behind the eight ball , so to speak.

You have plenty of company in your feelings, but "s---t Happens" , and it has no reflection on we as pet parents..As long as our pets have been protected and loved  their life with us has been a treasure. They sure would not blame us , so we should go easy on ourselves, LOL!

Happy to know this forum has helped you!

Best wishes,
CML

[3CatMoon]

After 18 years(!), I was still feeling guilty because my 4-year-old cat, Betsy, had become ill with renal failure. I had adopted her from the local animal shelter when she was around a year old, so I never knew her young history and wondered if she had experienced some trauma earlier in life OR if I had done something wrong. After reading so many of your posts, I'm comforted (in a way), knowing that renal failure in young cats is more common than I previously believed. At the time, my veterinarian had no explanation for how Betsy could have succumb to the disease. I now know that I did all that I could at the time--got her to the vet quickly and, later, administer the lactated ringers and lots of love. After all these years, my best friend is still missed.

[CML2014]

Hi Rebecca,

I have done some research and it seems that Bengals are prone to an hereditary condition called Polycystic Kidney disease. Unfortunately some breeders have not done the proper screening and this may be what is happening with your kits. If so, How awful, and I would certainly speak to the breeder---she should not be allowing her litters to be adopted unless she screens for this. It is so unfair to find this out after you have grown to love these babies.  These breeders should NOT be breeders, UGH!

I think bringing another cat in now might be additional stress for the cat. As long as your kit is eating, drinking, and using the litter box....hopefully the depression will lift with lot of love and attention from you.

Please keep us posted on this situation. Bengals are glorious creatures and you are very lucky to have them in your life.

You may want to do a little research on this condition it might help to know what to expect and how it can be managed.

Sincerely,
CML

[rebeccajohn93]

I am still searching for answers.   Last November my 8 year old bengal had kidney failure and after being in the ICU we had to put him to sleep.   And Earlier this week we found out my 6 year old half-bengal had kidney issues and the vet recommended we put him to sleep cause of the blood work results and because nothing was helping.  Now I'm afraid my other 6 year old bengal will get it because the 2 others were in his family line.    I know he is depressed since he lost his "brother" and I don't know how to comfort him.  I am thinking of adopting a companion for him from a local shelter but I don't know what to do or think right now.