Expert: Jana Connell RVT, CVT - 8/15/2010

Question
I adopted a rescue Persian cat 7 months ago.  She was fine until about a month and a half ago, then I noticed her water intake went up and she urinated outside of the litter box.  I took the urine sample and my cat to the vet and was given the horrendous news that she had PKD and that one kidney was already full of cysts and the other was almost as bad.  Devastatingly they suggested that we could try her on a renal diet if she liked the food - but that it really wouldnt make a whole lot of difference to the outcome.  To make sure she is comfy, enjoy her company and make sure whatever time she had left was happy....  Devastating news.  We changed her onto Royal Canin food and for a couple of weeks this was fine.

She now will eat chicken and sometimes a few mouthfulls of renal food.  She is sleeping a lot, but now and again will run upstairs and hop onto my bed.  How will I know whent it's time to let her go?  I'm scared I leave it too late - but then I dont want to let her go too early, when she's still able to enjoy some of life's comforts.  

How will I be sure the time is right?  Poor little mite is only 4 and she's had a horrible time until she came to us.  Passed around from pillar to post.  So unfair that she finds a forever home and then she has to leave it so soon.

Answer
Hi Nikki,
Bless you for taking in this little girl to begin with. This is a hard thing to discover, as you found out.
They were right about the food not making much difference in the long run but it can help improve her quality of life for now and could even slow down the progression a bit.

As far as knowing when it's time, she will pretty much let you know. She will stop socializing as much, she will withdraw and then stop eating. When that happens it's time Nikki.
You have to think of it in quality of life- how many good days is she having compared to bad days?

Then when she stops eating, you can tell by the look in her eyes that she is no longer happy. It will be a hard decision I know, but remember this- You are giving her a gift that we cannot give to our own loved ones- the gift of ending her pain and suffering.

I hope this answers your question Nikki. Please let me know if I can help further.