Expert: Herbs, NuVet Plus Supplements, Dog/Cat Food Recipes; ( Marie) - 12/18/2008

Question
I have a 14 year old Tabby/Simeas mix male cat. He is Strictly an indoor cat, and weights normally about 12-14lbs. Chuncker i know.. A problem cat to say the least normaly healthy just a couple major things but other then that healthy cat. Back in '00 he underwent surgary for bladder stones. no more then a week later he developed some "sand" and larger bladder stones. The vet that he was going to appologised dearly and said it was there mess up and they did not do the prosegier right the first time. so he underwent the the second one and we were told to he needs to be on a very strict diet of Eukanuba low Phs formula cat food. so since '00 he has been on this food and has been bladder stone free. Thank Goodness!!
This year in June he was looking a little ruff losing weight, eyes very glazed over, very lathargic, not throwing up but eating like there is no tomorrow. So i took him into the same vet we have been going to for over 13 years. They ran a bunch of tests.He weighed 8.25lbs at this time. His BUN was elevated but only by one unit they said. His T4 was at 6.6 and his kidney levels were getting high also. Keep in mind i was never told any of this as an owner trusting my vet in that they would relay any consurns. They said that he was ok and that he might have worms so we de-wormed him and said if he was not better in 2 weeks we would be back in for more tests. The next day when i got up his left eyes was all red, inflamed and very much iritating him. brought him back in and they gave us some anit-biotics. for the next few months he was about the same weight (which was skinny to us, Normally seeing a 12 lbs cat) still eating like there is no tomorrow but not puttin on any weight. Finally in Nov. he started to lose more weight and was jsut looking more ruff. so we brought him back in. they said that he has hiperthiroidisem. so they started him on Methisol 5ml twice a day. they once again said that this was there mess up and show have seen this back in June and started him on something then but didnt. on the 28th of Nov. we brought him back in to the vet cause he was still losing weight and now he is down to 6.55lbs. and now tell us they need to move him to a renal diet cause he has 75% kidney function lose. Now i ask you did him being on that Low Phs diet help speed up the prosses of kidney failure or do you think it is from the thiroid meds?

Answer
Wow Emily:  This is a hard one because you have been given such poor care from your family vet office.  Yes, the diets that were given to you can cause other problems.  Also, many cats at this age tend to have kidney disease.

All I can offer you is a good feeding program and some supplements for your cat boy.

As for the thyroid, again, this is hard for me to figure because your testing and advice was done so poorly by your vet.


For feeding you may want to try:

Dr. Pitcairn's Feline Diet for Kidney Problems

1 1/3 cups (2/3 pound) ground chicken, turkey or lean heart
4 cups cooked white rice
4 eggs
2 tablespoons cold-pressed safflower, soy or corn oil
1,500 milligrams calcium
1/8 teaspoon iodized salt
1/8 teaspoon potassium chloride (optional , for a saltier flavor)
1 teaspoon parsley, finely grated carrot or other vegetable (optional)
5,000 IU vitamin A
Taurine and other cat vitamins (about 5 days' worth)
50 milligram level B complex (or 10 milligrams per day)
2,500 milligrams vitamin C (½ teaspoon sodium ascorbate)

Mix everything together in a large bowl.  Serve raw if the cat will accept it.  Otherwise, mix all but the vitamins together, bake about 20 minutes in a moderate oven and then wait until it cools to mix in the vitamins.  Occasionally, substitute 1 to 3 teaspoons of liver for part of the meat.
 
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When switching to a homemade diet, please consult with your vet about your kitty's particular needs.
Some of these recipes have 'general' guidelines, which may or may not be suitable for your cat!
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Anitra Frazier's Diet for the Cat with Kidney Problems

4 parts carbohydrate: Pureed barley flakes and /or baby food creamed corn
2 parts protein: Lightly broiled chicken or beef or raw organic egg yolk and cooked white (used with meat, not alone) you can also use baby food chicken
1 part vegetable: Chopped of finely grated raw vegetable or vegetable juice-carrots, zucchini, and alfalfa sprouts are best
2 Tablespoons Vita-Mineral Mix
2 teaspoons soft butter


Canned Cat Foods -

Cats diagnosed with Chronic Renal Failure require a diet low in phosphorus)




http://webpages.charter.net/katkarma/canfood.htm



I sure hope this helps you!
Here is the ordering info for NuVET Feline vitamin/immune system booster:  I am sure this will help a bunch...I have a number of CAT clients that are 18 to 21 years old - EVEN a 22 year old girl.

http://www.apluspetcare.com/untitled4.html
My personal page for NuVET plus and NuVET feline ..


Marie Peppers LPN MA
Ask the Pet Nurse


JOIN my yahoo group:

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/nuvetsavesmoneyonvetbills/