Water Fountain?
Pearly the cat and Harry Andruschak
came back, and her BUN reading was at 40, with 36 supposed to be the upper
limit. Kidney failure may or may not be starting. The vet and I talked over
what might be done, considering that Pearly also needs dental treatment next
Monday.
I was given the estimate for the dental treatment, $353.68 which is really
stretching my budget. Right now I am living off my income tax refund. I see one
credit card adjustment agency Monday, and the law firm of Price & Associates
Tuesday to discuss bankruptcy. And I still have to find a new place to live in
soon. Obviously, if I file bankruptcy I will never be allowed a home loan. If I
don't, I cannot afford a home loan.
Back to Pearly and her teeth and kidney problems. Although dry food would be
better for her teeth, right now we need to get more fluid into her. Therefore
it was suggested that I buy this special canned food, KD Feline Can., at $2.38
per 5 ounce can. It was suggested I feed her one third of the can in the
morning and one third of the can in the evening, the proper amount for a 5-1/2
pound cat. (And the vet said that Pearly seemed to be at her correct weight.) .
And keep plenty of fresh water available at all times.
And now a question. I have heard that sometimes cats can be encouraged to drink
more water with those fountain type drinking dishes. Can anybody give me
feedback on this?
Anyhow, I take Pearly in to the vet this Monday at 8 AM, and plan to pick her
up at 4 PM. At noon I see my first counselor on the credit card debt. Things
are getting…interesting.
All E-mail to this screen name is blocked to thwart spammers. Reply to
harryan...@aol.com
(310) 835-9202
"Behold, I am a dry tree."
Cathy Friedmann
who learned a *lot* about CRF when her second cat was diagnosed with it.
Has a lot of information - most of which you don't yet need, but which may
come in useful down the road: http://www.felinecrf.org/ . Plus, what you're
aware of ahead of time, will be helpful if/when the various symptoms do show
up; you'll be ahead of the game.
There was a discussion about other good foods for cats in chronic renal
failure - or in Pearly's case, possible CRF - fairly recently, since many
cats don't like k/d. (Otoh, perhaps Pearly will like it fine, who knows?)
I *think*- without doing a Google search - that Hill's Science Diet
Prescription g/d was one mentioned. I also think one of Royal Canin's
varieties was mentioned. Maybe someone else remembers??
I don't know about the fountain, since I don't have one. Does Pearly appear
to have a fascination with drinking running water - at the faucets, for
example? Some cats *love* to drink from taps, & in their case I bet it
would encourage them to drink more water. For other cats who show no
interest in that sort of thing, I don't know if a fountain would encourage
them to drink more water or not.
Cathy
--
"Staccato signals of constant information..."
("The Boy in the Bubble") Paul Simon
"Pearly the cat and Harry Andruschak" <pearlya...@aol.comity> wrote in
message news:20020602103354...@mb-fr.aol.com...
> are getting.interesting.
Cathy Friedmann
for being a good alternative food for renal failure.
Cathy
--
"Staccato signals of constant information..."
("The Boy in the Bubble") Paul Simon
"Cathy Friedmann" <cl...@adelphia.net> wrote in message
news:addbq7$vre52$1...@ID-103542.news.dfncis.de...
Pearly the cat and Harry Andruschak
>From: "Cathy Friedmann" cl...@adelphia.net
>Date: 6/2/02 8:57 AM Pacific Daylight Time
>Message-id: <addbq7$vre52$1...@ID-103542.news.dfncis.de>
>
>Harry - here's a chronic renal failure website that was written by a person
>who learned a *lot* about CRF when her second cat was diagnosed with it.
>Has a lot of information - most of which you don't yet need, but which may
>come in useful down the road: http://www.felinecrf.org/ . Plus, what you're
>aware of ahead of time, will be helpful if/when the various symptoms do show
>up; you'll be ahead of the game.
Thank you, I'll bookmark this website
Lyle Gardiner
Pearly the cat and Harry Andruschak wrote:
>
>
> I was given the estimate for the dental treatment, $353.68 which is really
> stretching my budget. Right now I am living off my income tax refund. I see one
> credit card adjustment agency Monday, and the law firm of Price & Associates
> Tuesday to discuss bankruptcy. And I still have to find a new place to live in
> soon. Obviously, if I file bankruptcy I will never be allowed a home loan. If I
> don't, I cannot afford a home loan.
Re: the dental problem, I know what you mean several of our cats have had extensive
dental work and it isn't cheap. However why don't you see if you can work out some
sort of payment plan with the vet., I've found that most of them are very
reasonable, they're in the profession because of their love of animals and not out
for the big bucks.
>
>
> Back to Pearly and her teeth and kidney problems. Although dry food would be
> better for her teeth, right now we need to get more fluid into her. Therefore
> it was suggested that I buy this special canned food, KD Feline Can., at $2.38
> per 5 ounce can. It was suggested I feed her one third of the can in the
> morning and one third of the can in the evening, the proper amount for a 5-1/2
> pound cat. (And the vet said that Pearly seemed to be at her correct weight.) .
> And keep plenty of fresh water available at all times.
>
We've been metric here in Canada since 1978, so I don't even remember how bib a 5
oz. can is, it sound like it might about the size of a canned tuna, is that right
our not, if so it's certainly pricey. Pearly sound like a very petite cat, ours are
all 8 lb.. and up.
>
> And now a question. I have heard that sometimes cats can be encouraged to drink
> more water with those fountain type drinking dishes. Can anybody give me
> feedback on this?
>
I have something I bought called a calming spring, it's a small chromatic bowl with
a electric pump, like you find in an aquarium, you fill it with small rocks, then
add water, the pump makes a small fountain of water that runs over the rocks. I've
only seen of our cats use it, but every day I have to add water.
I looked at a cat fountain over at PetSmart and they were $ 60 CAN, I don't know
how much they are where you are. I would think a person could build one using a
fish aquarium pump, if one were handy at that sort of thing
>
> Anyhow, I take Pearly in to the vet this Monday at 8 AM, and plan to pick her
> up at 4 PM. At noon I see my first counselor on the credit card debt. Things
> are getting…interesting.
> All E-mail to this screen name is blocked to thwart spammers. Reply to
> harryan...@aol.com
> (310) 835-9202
> "Behold, I am a dry tree."
Our "prays & purrs are with you and Pearly
Lyle & family
MacCandace
came back, and her BUN reading was at 40, with 36 supposed to be the upper
limit. >>
Do you know what Pearly's creatinine was? Apparently, creatinine values are a
better indicator of kidney disease than BUN. Did she have a urinalysis? Her
urine specific gravity (USG) is also an indicator of kidney disease, combined
with BUN and creatinine levels. If I'm not mistaken, BUN can be affected by
other things including the stress of a vet visit.
Candace
(take the litter out before replying by e-mail)
See my cats:
http://photos.yahoo.com/maccandace
Cathy Friedmann
Cathy
--
"Staccato signals of constant information..."
("The Boy in the Bubble") Paul Simon
"MacCandace" <macca...@aol.comlitter> wrote in message
news:20020602153225...@mb-fr.aol.com...
Karen
Harry Andruschak at pearlya...@aol.comity wrote on 6/2/02 9:33 AM:
> are gettingæ ¼nteresting.
> All E-mail to this screen name is blocked to thwart spammers. Reply to
> harryan...@aol.com
> (310) 835-9202
> "Behold, I am a dry tree."
I just got a Petmate Fresh Flow. Sugar likes it OK, Grant still things It Is
A Wierd New THing but I know he will come around. It's very quiet and less
expensive. petfooddirect.com has them for ten dollars off, and they send out
coupons for 20 and 30 percent off a lot. That's how I got my mom one for
less than what I paid at the store (even with shipping). Lots of people do
claim their cats drink from it more. I suggest leaving bowls of water all
over the place. I've noticed, that if the cats SEE water, they drink it.
Otherwise they kind of wait until they run across the one bowl. If Pearly
likes drinking from faucets, she's a shoe in to like the fountain bowl. Just
depends. I'd try bowls all over right now, and put the money towards the
dental. A well maintained mouth goes a LONG way to overall health. Also,
mouth problems can affect those levels too so they may come down after the
dental work is done. Have you asked about a payment plan?
Karen
D&D
and Harry Andruschak) wrote:
>And now a question. I have heard that sometimes cats can be encouraged to drink
>more water with those fountain type drinking dishes. Can anybody give me
>feedback on this?
Not a feedback, just a suggestion. If you have money problems, save on
the fountain: just get an aquarium pump, the smallest model, and place
it in a salad bowl. Uglier, but same service. it's also safe, it's
basically impossible to get electricity from touching it...
Karen
cl...@adelphia.net wrote on 6/2/02 11:05 AM:
> Just remembered - I think a Royal Canin food (senior??) was also recommended
> for being a good alternative food for renal failure.
>
>
> Cathy
>
It is good and falls about the same as k/d, however, it is only in dry. You
still want to have a wet food on hand. Sensible Choice Chicken and Rice
seems to rate well. Anyone have that Kat Karma address handy?
Karen
Cathy Friedmann
towards her dental work, having plenty of water available for her instead.
Cathy
--
"Staccato signals of constant information..."
("The Boy in the Bubble") Paul Simon
"Karen" <kchu...@earthlink.net> wrote in m
essage news:B91FE2CD.1E9D2%kchu...@earthlink.net...
> > are gettingSinteresting.
Rob
basin or the bath tub! I tried one of those water fountains. He drank
out of it once and then decided to ignore it. Fortunately, the pet shop
refunded my money.
I don't think you're going to know if Pearly is going to like the
fountain until she's confronted with it. With Jerry, I think the
coolness of the freshly-drawn water was a factor.
Rob
rr...@lmi.net
>I just got a Petmate Fresh Flow.
How easy is it to clean? I find the nooks and crannies of the
Drinkwell to be a challenge when I want to clean it. (I've also left
them feedback saying so... hopefully someone will come up with an
easier version!) However, when I looked at the Petmate, the small
sizes of some of the parts made it look like cleaning that one was
going to be even more trouble. Got any feedback on this?
Rebecca
Karen
wrote on 6/2/02 5:53 PM:
I haven't had to clean it yet of course, but it's all smooth and there
aren't many, if any, nooks or crannies to get into. Seems really "ergonomic"
in that way.
Karen
Phil P.
Pearly the cat and Harry Andruschak <pearlya...@aol.comity> wrote in
message news:20020602103354...@mb-fr.aol.com...
> Stopped by the vet Friday, and we MAY have a problem. Pearly's blood
tests
> came back, and her BUN reading was at 40, with 36 supposed to be the upper
> limit. Kidney failure may or may not be starting.
<snip>
Therefore
> it was suggested that I buy this special canned food, KD Feline Can
<snip>
What was her creatinine concentration? Did your vet perform a urinalysis
along with the CBC and chem screen to determine whether or not her azotemia
is pre-renal or primary renal? Urine specific gravity (USG) with a serum
protein level offers a more accurate assessment of renal function than
either test alone. Pre-renal azotemia is often reversible.
If Pearly is in early-stage renal failure, the protein content of k/d is too
low for the stage of her disease and may result in protein deficiency and
malnutrition. Unnecessary and excessive restriction of dietary protein in
cats has been associated with several inherent dangers. Protein deficiency
results in impaired immunological response and resistance to infection,
reduced hemoglobin production and anemia, decreased plasma protein levels,
and muscle wasting. Restricted protein intake is also associated with a
reduction in the GFR which may actually exacerbate clinical signs of uremia.
Most veterinary nephrologists recommend that dietary protein reduction be
initiated when the cat's BUN concentration reaches 60 mg/dl. The cat should
be fed the maximum amount of high-biologic-value protein while maintaining a
BUN of 60 mg/dl or less. She's has a long way to go before she's ready for
k/d. Speak to your vet about g/d or even a low-phosphorus commercial diet.
If he balks or squawks get a second opinion. Protein malnutrition will
hasten her demise quicker than CRF.
Good luck.
Phil.
exc...@home.com
>>All E-mail to this screen name is blocked to thwart spammers. Reply to
>>harryan...@aol.com
>>(310) 835-9202
>>"Behold, I am a dry tree."
>
>
> I just got a Petmate Fresh Flow. Sugar likes it OK, Grant still things It Is
> A Wierd New THing but I know he will come around. It's very quiet and less
> expensive. petfooddirect.com has them for ten dollars off, and they send out
> coupons for 20 and 30 percent off a lot. That's how I got my mom one for
> less than what I paid at the store (even with shipping). Lots of people do
> claim their cats drink from it more. I suggest leaving bowls of water all
> over the place. I've noticed, that if the cats SEE water, they drink it.
> Otherwise they kind of wait until they run across the one bowl. If Pearly
> likes drinking from faucets, she's a shoe in to like the fountain bowl. Just
> depends. I'd try bowls all over right now, and put the money towards the
> dental. A well maintained mouth goes a LONG way to overall health. Also,
> mouth problems can affect those levels too so they may come down after the
> dental work is done. Have you asked about a payment plan?
>
> Karen
>
I was thinking of getting a petmate fountain for my male cat. But I have
a question - how noisy is the motor? My cat gets spooked easy by
anything that hums or buzzes too loudly. I am concerned that he wouldn't
use it because of the noise.
Pamela Giles
exc...@home.com wrote:
> I was thinking of getting a petmate fountain for my male cat. But I have
> a question - how noisy is the motor? My cat gets spooked easy by
> anything that hums or buzzes too loudly. I am concerned that he wouldn't
> use it because of the noise.
The motor is pretty quiet unless you let the water level get too low.
Ours was really loud when we first installed it, but after we learned to
fill up the bowl in addition to the reservoir with water, it quieted
right down. After that, it's pretty much good to go until the reservoir
thing gets almost empty, at which point it starts grinding a bit.
(Which is good, because that's a good warning that it needs water before
you forget and let the motor burn out.)
My cats like their FreshFlow. Not significantly better than they like
the regular bowl of water upstairs, but it's easier for me not to have
to worry about filling that downstairs bowl all the time.
Pamela
Gene Martin
gave out at the age of 14) but she wouldn't go near it. I have a less
expensive fountain for my cat now and he loves it. He drinks quite a bit
from it--but ignores his water bowl. You might add a little (filtered
water) to his wet food also.
Edmund Klebe
been diagnozed with incipient renal
insufficiency. BUN last visit was 48 (up from high 20s) . Creatinine was up
one point, but I don't know what the actual number was. Could you elucidate
on the relative values, or point me to a reference?
Thanks.
ED.
And Harry, don't panic. The teeth being bad can also cause this increase, I
believe.
"Phil P." <ph...@maxshouse.com> wrote in message
news:XJ6L8.21614$b73....@nwrddc01.gnilink.net...
Phil P.
Edmund Klebe <eak...@qis.net> wrote in message
news:L5uN8.1818$h7....@news.abs.net...
> Phil, your info is vry interesting, especially since my 19 yr old has just
> been diagnozed with incipient renal
> insufficiency. BUN last visit was 48 (up from high 20s) . Creatinine was
up
> one point, but I don't know what the actual number was. Could you
elucidate
> on the relative values, or point me to a reference?
http://maxshouse.com/physiologic_data_for_the_cat2.htm#Feline Biochemistry
Normals
These values are for my lab and should be used for reference only and not
for diagnosis. Your vet's lab's values may be different.
BUN/Creatinine values vary between labs; values are dependant on the cat,
each particular lab's reference ranges, methods of measurement, and
chemistry analyzer. IOW, two labs can yield different results from samples
obtained at the same time.
Also, creatinine is produced in the muscle - thus well-muscled cats can have
higher creatinine values that may underestimate renal function. Similarly,
colorimetric systems (e.g., Jaffe) used to measure creatinine can
artefactually
elevate creatinine values because both creatinine and non-creatinine
chromogens (e.g., vitamin C, glucose, certain amino acids) can react with
the reagent which can also underestimate renal function.
Phil.