Expert: Herbs, NuVet Plus Supplements, Dog/Cat Food Recipes; ( Marie) - 5/16/2009

Question
QUESTION: MY CAT IS 11 YEARS OLD. SHE STARTED LOSING WEIGHT SO I TOOK HER TO THE VET. THEY STARTED GIVING HER IV FLUIDS @ HOME EVERY OTHER DAY I DO THIS. SHE IS NOT EATING SO WELL, AND SEEMS TO BE GETTING THINNER. I WANT TO HELP HER BE ABLE TO GAIN SOME WEIGHT.K/D FOOD SHE DOES NOT LIKE,I OFFER HER MANY OPTIONS OF FOOD. HOPING THAT SHE WILL EAT. I REALLY DON'T LIKE TO TAKE HER TO THE VET TO MUCH BECAUSE SHE IS SO SCARED.IS THERE SOMETHING I COULD GIVE HER THAT WILL MAKE HER WANT TO EAT WITHOUT CAUSING MORE DAMAGE TO HER KIDNEYS?   THANK YOU KELLY AND KIKO THE CAT

ANSWER: Oh, Kelly, so sorry about this.  VERY common senior citizen cat problem.....
The K/D food doesn't smell too great at all.  That is why she doesn't like it:  Here are some things you can make at home for your cat kid:
Try and see---- trial and error / MUCH less expensive than the Science/ Presc Diet K/D brand.  ( and taste is better, too)

For feeding you may want to try:

Dr. Pitcairn's Feline Diet for Kidney Problems -
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Please note;  If you buy the NuVET FElINE vitamin powder, you will not need to add all the vitamins in this recipe....
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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 - See here?

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

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


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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.

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http://www.apluspetcare.com/untitled4.html
My personal page for NuVET plus and NuVET feline ..
Order Discount code : 81098 / write this down
and you can call too...
         1-800-474-7044  
NuVET Feline will help to gain her appetite back....


Marie Peppers LPN MA
Ask the Pet Nurse


JOIN my yahoo group:  free to join us

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



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---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: HELLO YES I'M HERE TO ASK ANOTHER QUESTION. I DID TRY THESE APPROACHES  WITH THE FOOD AND VITIAMINS. MY CAT KIKO IS VERY PICKY WHEN IT COMES TO NEW THINGS. WITH FOOD AND ANY THING THAT HAS TO DO WITH PUTTING SOMETHING IN HER MOUTH. HERE IS WHERE I AM AT. STILL GIVING HER FLUIDS AND MEDS TO HELP WITH DIA AND THROWING UP.NOW THE PROBLEM IS HER MUSCLE DETERIORATION. SHE IS EATING AND GOING TO THE LITER JUST FINE PERFECT STOOL. IS THER ANYTHING AND I MEAN ANYTHING THE VET CAN GIVE HER TO HELP WITH THE DETERIORATION OF HER MUSCLES. I HOPE YOU HAVE AN ANSWER. PLEASE AS SOON AS YOU CAN LET ME KNOW. THANK YOU SO MUCH. KIKO AND KELLY

Answer
Oh, I am so sorry - If you can't get nutrition into your little one how will the muscles not deteriorate?
Did you try a liquid formula to feed?  The kind for kittens would be fine.  You need to get nutrition into your cat kid.
I just don't know what else to offer you guys.... So sorry!

Marie