This is not the post we planned for today, and it will not be wordless. We are asking you to keep our sisfur, Fiona, in your purrs and prayers. Though only five years old, she has been diagnosed with CKD. After an ultrasound and ex-rays, our vet is fairly confident that this is congenital.
Fiona spent the day in ICU at our veterinary hospital on IV fluids. She is home with us now. She will return to the vet for the same tomorrow and a half day on Christmas Eve. Our vet will show us then how to give subQ fluids at home.
Tomorrow Giulietta will have blood work done to make certain she does not have CKD as well. As most of you know, Fiona and Giulietta are sisfurs.
When Mom wasn’t crying today she was reading everything she could about CKD.
We know lab numbers but aren’t going to list all the technical info here. Suffice it to say, she is not in good shape. We will share a prognosis when we have one.
The good news is that she is eating a bit more and doesn’t have anemia or hypertension.
We know prayer works, so we ask you to please add Fiona to your prayer list. Thank you.
Purrs and paw-pats, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
I have been away from the blogs for a few months now, so this is a much delayed response. I am sorry to hear this sad news about Fiona. Such a young kitty for the CKD, as you said. Sending lots of purrs and prayers to all of you. Caring for a sick kitty is never easy, but always worth it.
Prayer works wonders, and there is a lot of good heading your way Fiona… Get well soon please. Purrs and Prayers Erin
We iz wishing Fiona many hugs and healing purrs. We hope she is feeling better. Hugs to Fiona Mom, fur yoo to be strong and know dat yoo are luved. Hugs n Purrs to all. ~Willy and Mom Staff
Sending purrs and prayers to Fiona!!!!
Sending Fiona tons of healing purrz I don’t think it’s fair that kitties have to suffer any time but especially around Christmas. She is so young. xoxo
Love to Miss Fiona.
We are adding our loud meezer purrs to the others and a lot of furvent pawyers too.
Sending some hugs along as well.
POTP to Fiona and we sure hope that Giulietta is healthy.
We are sending healing purrs and light to Miss Fiona. We are so sorry she is so sick. We have our paws crossed she is able to be treated so she can live a full and happy life and we are purring super hard that Giulietta didn’t inherit the problem too. Hugs and Love
Hang. In. There. You still have your girl, she is getting treatment and I can see that people are already offering help and suggestions. Fiona has YOU and that will count for a LOT in her battle for health. Being informed about her condition is your best and most complete armour in the fight, knowing what to do and when to take action will help you keep in control.
* Hugs * and we got a parcel from you guys today….
All our Best Love,
Marjorie and the Dash Kitten crew
We’re so sorry you’re feeling poorly! Purrs that they get you on the right track very quickly!!
This kind of diagnosis is scary and hard on the whole family. Big purrs to Fiona and to you, too!
I am so sorry to hear this news. I read Deziz’s comment above and I agree. “God can change things” I deeply believe in the power of prayer and we are sending TONS of prayers your way. I wish I had advice, etc., but I am not well-versed on medical issues. I am also praying that maybe this diagnosis is incorrect? Could it be?
I think there are diets that can help with CKD….I know of one by Royal Canin…..
I am praying that this is something that will be manageable for all of you.
Sending much love and many, many prayers.
Sending purrs for Miss Fiona and hugs to every one.
Hopping in from WW and I am so sorry to read about your kitty. I will say a prayer for your furry one.
I am sorry to hear this news and we are sending purrs and prayers for Fiona and Giulietta. You have good support here with so many people able to give good advice.
Please know I will add her to my prayers as I know what you are going through, as do many of us. She is a precious family member and loved as such. She loves you too. ❤️
O such sad news! Relieved to know others have had some experience with this as, we have none, but know the price of loving kitties can be so high! Wishing you good luck with the follow up both with Fiona and her sisfur!
We were devastated to hear of Fiona’s terrible diagnosis. We are here for you…if there is anything we can do….we will do it.
Purrs, prayers, good vibes and many, many good thoughts are with Fiona and her sister. The factory of purrs are staying on night and day just for Fiona.
Love Shoko and Kali
I am so sorry to hear about little Fiona, Janet. My prayers are with you all at this time.
We are so sorry to hear about Fiona’s illness. We are sending many warm thoughts and prayers for her healing, and for Giulietta to be healthy as well. We know just how stressful this can be, hang in there the best you can.
We’re sending our purrs and purrayers to Fiona too, and hope for the best possible outcome for her and for Giulietta as well.
Nicki and Derry
I’m purring like crazy for her, and M is vamping up the prayers. We also hope and pray that she does well on the subfluids as that will greatly help her. M had another kitty that had kidney disease. She was 14 when diagnosed and didn’t mind getting the fluids, which M and D gave to her,. After the first two or three sessions, she settled right down and didn’t mind getting them – almost like she knew they made her feel better after.
We are sending purrs and prayers a plenty to dear Fiona to feel better, Giuletta that she does not have the same and Mom who must be so very stressed.
Just to lay your mind to rest Dad has given subcutaneous fluids to a few of his kitties in the past and it is not difficult at all. Cats are really built for this the way our skin is so loose on our bodies.
Love you all
Timmy, Dad Pete and Family
We are so sorry to hear about Fiona. Sending lots of purrs and heartfelt prayers til we know your girls are better. xxx
We send tons of purrs for sweet Fiona ! Purrs
We’re sending lots of purrs for Fiona and for you.
This is hard news, especially considering her youth, but I know with love, knowledge, and good vet advise, you will able to manage Fiona’s care. We learned to give fluids and became pros in no time when Tommie was diagnosed with CKD. I hope Giulietta’s test results are good! Purring for you.
xxoo
Sending ALL our purrs to Fiona and will ask for a Christmas miracle too. We’ll even give up our mousies if it means Fiona will feel better!
Purring fur Fiona… Sometimes the best medicine fur kitties is lots of loves… especially with CKD and FIV… Loves can really make a difference. Kept our Kitty (FIV) alive til 19 years and helps BiBi (CKD) keep living…
Purrz,
Katie Kat.
Many purrs and purrayers and hugs to you and Fiona! Five is a young age to have CKD. Sub-q fluids will help a lot!
All of us at Forty Paws and Maw
We are here to purr SO LOUD for both girls – I have RUMBLEPURRs (they are extra healing) and Hammy sends some of his purrs… we’re hoping so much that the test shows everything is ok, and that Miss Fiona stays healthy and happy. And we also have purrs for you, we know how you must be feeling <3
Mee-you ladyMum iss cryin buckitss here fur you Aunty Janet!!!! Shee an mee will purr an purray fur thee next few dayss.
LadyMum sayss to ask you how iss Fiona’ss Poe-tassium level? It could bee low an if so shee chould have Poe-tassium orally efurry day. It not taste so good butt it DOESS perk a CKD kitty up well.
LadyMum all so said if you want; shee will go back inn her Diariess an look up what Aunty Mingflower’s meddcayshunss were….shee lived with CKD fur 2+ yearss…so there ISS hope! An wee agree iss good to get Gee checked out…..paws crossed shee iss all rite!!!! let us know what you needs OK???
~~~head rubsss~~~ Siddhartha Henry~~~ an {{{hugs}}} Sherri-Ellen
We are purring and praying for Fiona.
Hugs.
Angel Normie, Mika, Sasha & Grady Lewis
We are sending this link with helpful info about CKD.
http://www.2ndchance.info/kidney.htm
Sending my very best purrs to Fiona and her lovely sisfur, and especially, to their Mama. We hope the fluids and treatment help sweet Fiona to feel better very soon–she is a lovely girl and could not have a better family XOXOXOXO
We are so sorry to hear that Fiona has been diagnosed with CKD. As other friends have said in comments above, cats can live many good years with this disease. We know you love Fiona so much, and we are sending big purrs and prayers and much love. We’re also purring that Miss Giulietta’s blood work comes back with good numbers.
Fiona, we Russian Blues must stick together. We will pull you through to long term health with the power of our purrs. Mom Janet and Tom, the Menagerie Mom , Brian’s dad and Island cats Mom all have valuable information. Mom L will be in touch. Love you all
Janet our deepest purrs for Fiona. We are keeping you all in our thoughts.
Sending lots of purrs and prayers for Fiona and hugs for your mom and dad. One of the kitties before us, Reebok, had CKD and she lived a happy, long life after her diagnosis. She did receive fluids every day but she accepted it well. We’re sending positive thoughts for Fiona.
Purrs, prayers, and hugs to Fiona, you, and your entire family. I’m going to apologize ahead of time for the length of this comment, but I have a personal experience with kidney disease in cats that I would really like to share with you. As strange as it may sound, I have had “good” experience with kidney disease in cats, and that’s why I want to share it with you.
First, although every animal is different and responds to treatment in their own way, please do not lose hope with this diagnosis. My angel Rosie lived for over 3 years with kidney disease, and when she passed earlier this year it had nothing to do with her kidneys (she lost her battle to heart failure and cancer of the pancreas and liver). After her kidney disease diagnosis, Rosie began receiving daily subcutaneous fluids (100 mls per day), potassium supplements (her potassium was low without this – this may or may not be Fiona’s case), pepcid (to reduce ulceration and nausea/vomiting often seen in kidney cats), and a relatively new nutraceutical called RenAvast. On this regimen, Rosie went from 7.75 lbs and almost daily vomiting, to 10+ lbs and vomiting only once every couple to a few weeks. Except for a rare day here and there of low appetite and occasional nausea, Rosie’s treatments kept her and her kidneys steady and strong for years – and that’s even after an initial ultrasound showed shrinking and malformation of her kidneys.
Your Fiona obviously gets all the love and care any kitty could ask for. She is lucky to have you. It sounds like you’re already doing your research and are willing to do what it takes to help Fiona get back on track. You already mentioned you’ll be giving her subcutaneous fluids at home (although it may seem scary at first, please don’t fret this – once you get the hang of it, you’ll be a pro). If your vet hasn’t already started her on it, maybe mention giving pepcid, especially if Fiona has been showing signs of nausea and/or vomiting (kidney cats often refuse food because of the nausea related to the build-up of BUN, creatinine, and other toxins). My Rosie would eat like a champ when kept on pepcid (whereas when not given it she would smack her lips, act nauseous, and refuse to eat – so I never let myself forget it!). If you’re interested, please also look into giving Fiona RenAvast. It’s a kidney-promoting nutraceutical that can safely be given to any cat, sick or healthy. When Rosie was first diagnosed, I was told her BUN, creatinine, and other values indicated she was heading toward Stage 4 (end stage) kidney disease. At that time, RenAvast was very new, but my vet had heard about it and decided to try Rosie on it. I am so grateful for that. After starting on RenAvast, Rosie’s kidney values, although still elevated, at first stayed steady and did not rise. After a few months, though, her values actually started to lower and ultimately ended up at levels more indicative of Stage 1 or 2 kidney disease (at one point her values were all even within normal!). Of course not every cat will respond the same to all drugs, but I wanted to at least mention my good experience with RenAvast.
I’m again sorry for the length of this comment. But I hope it gives you at least a little ray of hope. In my experience, kidney disease by no means has to mean despair. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Fiona. Again, Fiona is lucky to have you.
We are all so sorry to hear this news. Mom even has tears in her eyes. Before she got us, she lost two precious kitties to feline infectious peritonitis. It was so hard for her to say goodbye to both of them. They were both rescue kitties and the people at the humane society and her vet told her that she gave them the best life they could have had. Remember that your love and lots of prayers still do miracles. Please give everyone soft paw pats and lots of purrs from all of us….
Hemingway, Shakespeare and Pam!
Lots of prayers and purrrrrrrsssssss for Fiona and all of you — praying for wonderful and healthy results.
Love, Grace, Marilynn, Audace, and Ruse
You’ve probably found it already, but the best site is: http://www.felinecrf.org/index.htm
Giving subQ is easy once you get the hang of it. There are lots of us out here with experience with CKD. The right food is very important, and not the vet Rx stuff, nobody likes it. There is a great list on the site I mentioned. Purrs and prayers to sweet Fiona from all of us.
We are sending lots of prayers and purrs for Fiona. We’re so sorry to hear.
I am sending lots of purrs your way. I was so upset when I heard that Fiona was in need of them. I have sent out a message to all our Tabby Cat Club members. We all know the power of the purrs. Love to Fiona and her family. Please Fiona get better and well soon. I know mom will do everything to make sure you are receiving the treatment you are needing. <3
Have only just seen this and I am so sorry to hear that your sweet Fiona has CKD. We are sending purrs and prayers to you all.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
Oh my goodness…sending a sleigh full of purrs, prayers, and love to Fiona and your entire family. {{{HUGS}}}
sending lots of zen hugs and purrs and praying really hard that everyone is okay love lorraine and frankie
So sorry to hear this. I went thru this with three kitties and am here for you if you need any support. I found Tanya’s CRF site and the Yahoo CRF group to be very helpful as well as so many cat bloggers who have also gone thru this. I give fluids easily now at home to those that need it – it is pretty simple and fine once you get the hang of it. I would be happy to tell you where to get supplies etc. You are not alone and have a huge support group out there for you.
I’m so sorry Fiona is going through this. I’m purring hard that the vet can help her feel better for a very long time. Hoping Giuletta is ok. Mom is sending hugs.
I will be praying for Fiona. She is lucky to have such a loving family that will get her the care needed.
Poor Fiona. Being diagnosed with kidney disease at age 5 is unusual…but with proper care, Fiona can live for years. We’re purring for Fiona and hope she feels better soon.
The mom says one of the best sites regarding kidney issues in cats is Tanya’s site: felinecrf dot com.
Stopping by to send lost and lots of purrs!! – Crepes and Alana.
CKD affects so many kitties. We lost two of our fursisters this year within 6 months of each other. Mom gave them the best life ever. You and your humom are in our prayers. Stay strong. Many kitties live happy long lives with supportive care. Purrs
We are sending all our purrrrs to Fiona and sending lots and lots of comfort to the humans…
hugs, Bugsy, Knuckles and Lou
Oh my gosh darling Fiona…. Please, please, please be okay. We are sending purrs and love your way… And prayers to mom Janet and for your sweet Giulietta too…
xoxo from Deb and the Zee/Zoey kitties
Purrs and prayers for sweet Fiona. The fluids will make her feel better. Hugs to your mom.
We are sending LOTS of gentle healing purrs…..
Sue’s comment is very encouraging and will hopefully make you feel a little less overwhelmed in the face of this, Janet. We know it is never a good time for our babies to be unwell but I am certain that this happening so near to Christmas makes it that much more stressful. Please know that you are in our thoughts and that we love you and that we will be here for you. Lots of love and healing thoughts for Fiona and more love to you and Tom , Janet. We are with you in spirit. Keep us posted. Let’s take it one day at a time.
the critters in the cottage and Sophie xo
We sure send many purrs and prayes to Fiona. We hope she feels better really soon. The fluids will help her a lot. And they can live for a very long time with the kidney problems. We all have our paws crossed to you Fiona.
Our paws are crossed tight for sweet Fiona. Sending many healing wishes …
We are doing our very best purrs for you, sweet Fiona. Love TK and Pip
PeeEss- Mommy is praying for you and your whole family.
Prayers and purrs for all. Hope she is comfortable.
Hugs!!!
Purring hard and praying for both of your gurlz..
Gentle hugs..
~ Mom Bobbie and The Bunch
With tears on cheeks we are all praying and purring for Fiona and hope Giulietta does not also have CKD.
My mom and dad lost a fur baby to CKD more than 20 years ago when so little was known . They feel the heartache you are going through. There is more known now about this diseases we hope that the vets are able to help Fiona feel better.
Hugs, purrs prayers
Charles
PS Comforting hugs and kisses to my love Ms Lisbeth
Ok the purrs and POTP are flowing fast and thick here for sweet Fiona..we hope she soon has some good numbers (which we all hate watching but cannot help 🙁 ) and we also pray that Giulietta has not the same nasty happening to her..we agree try and stay positive..we have had two kitties with FIV and though frightening we found we could manage it pretty well…different illness but the same stress and worry for pet parents 🙁 all our love to you all Fozziemum and the gang xxxx
We are sending BIG prayers, BIG hugs, and a whole lot of love for Fiona and all of you. We’re hoping she will feel better after the hydration and hope to hear she’s feeling better after another day of treatment. So very sad in one so very young……praying Giulietta shows no signs of CKD. Meanwhile, just know that ALL of us who love ALL of you “have your back” – we’re praying and hoping for the best………..
Love, Pam and Sammy
Oh this is not good news! I am purring my loudest for Fiona and mum will certainly pray too! ❤️
Poor Fiona. We will send healing thoughts and purrs at once.
Purrs xx
Athena and Marie
We are sending purrs to this sweet kitty.
Purrs Georgia and Julie,
Treasure and JJ
CKD is not a death sentence for Fiona. Cats can live long happy years with it. You do need to know the signs and how Fiona is acting so you can help her as soon as possible.
My male Punkin was diagnosed with CKD 8 years ago. After the initial diagnoses and treatment, he has been healthy and happy.
Last week we took him to get bloodwork done and his BUN and creatine were too high. The vet tech showed me how easy it is to give sub-q liquids. It really isn’t hard but it might be easier with two people.
I noticed a remarkable difference after he got his fluids. He was more like himself!
So many purrs and prayers for you and Fiona. Love Toby and Momma Sabina
Weez sendin’ lots of purrayers. God can change things and weez purroof pawsitive.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Lexi
Oh my sweet Fiona, I am purring to my maximum abilities for you and for Giulietta, you know how much I adore and care for you both…sending many kisses and cuddles your way my dear Fiona, I am so glad you are eating better, keep it up, sweetheart.
Prayer for Fiona – God Bless you all this Christmas.
Oh no! What awful news. I’m purring lots for Fiona, and for Giulietta too.
I am so very sorry to read this. I know how loved your girls are. This is one of Chloe Jo’s issues, why they monitor her so closely. She has constant infections, the incident with a stone, blood work up and down, etc. And Grizelda is perfectly fine. They are also 5. Please know we are praying hard. I am here if you need me. Keep in touch. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Much love, Annie ❤
I’m so sorry your Fiona is having such serious health problems. Hopefully you can get her stabilized and she will do well for a Very long time. Paws crossed that Giulietta’s kidneys are healthy.
I will pray and pray for healing! I know God works and He hears our prayers..sending gentle hugs and sweet kitty loves to Fiona…so glad she is eating and home…hugs and thoughts to you as I know how hard this is….
Lots of purrs and prayers for Fiona!!
Lots of hugs,
Samantha & Mom
Oh, Janet! Our deepest prayers and wishes for a turnaround in health for your furry girls.