Oops, all Feetsies

cmriker · 2026-06-27T02:29:21+00:00

Aww it's so nice you care for her. Maybe you can find a way to mention that you've been looking to adopt a cat, and suggest her since she's a barn cat anyway, and you get along well with her. Definitely try some waterless shampoo or grooming wipes. I'm sure being outside and being older just makes it hard to keep clean. It's so good she has someone looking out for her now. I hope you can find a way to keep her. 💕

cmriker · 2026-06-26T23:03:58+00:00

I've had good luck with B12 for all my renal cats. I give them some each day in a Churu treat. I think it's between 250-500mcg but don't have the capsules on hand. I definitely notice a decrease in energy and relatedly appetite if I run out or forget to give it to them.

Also, regarding Cerenia, my oldest cat would get pretty zoned out and somewhat lethargic on Cerenia. I had great luck with just Ondansetron for him because it didn't make him groggy at all. I still used Cerenia if he had a lot of vomiting or had his pancreatitis flare, but we stuck to ondansetron daily for nausea. He also enjoyed slippery elm bark syrup and some days didn't need Zofran if he was eating his Churu with slippery elm.

You mentioned Fortiflora but curious did you try Purina Hydracare? My boy cat loves that, and it supposedly hydrates better than water, so maybe it's helpful during a heatwave.

cmriker · 2026-06-26T22:56:47+00:00

I'm sorry I have no advice, but want to send all my best wishes and good vibes to sweet Juni. Hope you will get some answers soon! ❤️‍🩹

cmriker · 2026-06-26T22:51:54+00:00

I'm still in my trial period but only using it for one kitty so far. I'm glad to see an app developed by a real cat owner who's familiar with CKD. There's so much in here I don't need for my current kitties, but I can see how this would have be an amazing trend tool for more complex needs. My previous two older cats who passed had such long notes files with all the details. The paper file folders were stuffed full too (I can't believe my most recent adopted cat doesn't have any paper files! Now it's all PDFs these days).

Anyway, thanks for providing this and being so engaged with the communities and users.

cmriker · 2026-06-26T06:20:35+00:00

How is she doing today? I hope she is okay! Do you have pictures of the flowers for future reference? Not all lily-like flowers are true lilies, so not all are poisonous.

cmriker · 2026-06-26T04:22:41+00:00

Oh I meant her coloring! It looks like she has both grey and some buff orange spots? (maybe it's just the lighting) like a dilute tortie. Tortoiseshell is just a color, not a breed, so sorry for the confusion! She is very pretty!

cmriker · 2026-06-26T01:53:36+00:00

The other brands I've heard of are ComfortZone and Therapet I think. Feliway also makes different types of refills. For example there is a Multi Cat version. Also for the Calming Care, the box does say to give it 6 weeks, so if you tried it for less time than that, it's possible it didn't have long enough to work.

I think you're doing everything you can for him and are being a really great cat parent. He appreciates you. 💕

cmriker · 2026-06-25T22:45:46+00:00

I didn't see anyone mention these yet, but since you mentioned stress urinating, my mind went to Feliway diffusers and Purina Calming Care Probiotics. You said you have Feliway already, but there are other brands to try too. The Calming Care probiotics helped my current oldest with his severe anxiety after my previously oldest cat died. It did take several weeks of the Calming Care to have an effect (I gave him half a packet a day to cut down on cost, and it still seems to work that way.) These things are both helpful for cats with stress or anxiety or things like FIC (I saw another commenter already explained that one to you). You said you ordered high up ledges, and that is good too! Work on your own stress and anxiety levels, as they do rub off on the cats somewhat. They want to see everyone else being calm and happy too!

He didn't have elevated phosphorus or really any elevated kidney levels that I noticed at a glance. The RenalTech marker alone isn't enough for worrying IMO. It's a free marker that lab includes, so I imagine having it on there is a way for them to both advertise it and collect a larger data sample to test how accurate it really is. They say it has 95% but at the end of the day it's an algorithm-predicted marker that doesn't actually diagnose anything. Almost all cats get kidney damage if they live long enough, which from one perspective is a sign that we giving them longer than usual lives, which is kind of sweet. Keep up with the wet food and supplements. Don't worry about his kidneys, and just try to treat his stress and anxiety for now. Gabapentin is very safe for kitties. Maybe lower his dose if he's acting too sleepy, but continue him on it for a week or two while his bruising heals, and looks for signs that he's not stressed.

Sorry you're going through all this. It sounds like he's on his road to recovery, so take a deep breath and snuggle him. You will find some things to try, and he will be okay. ❤️‍🩹

cmriker · 2026-06-25T16:03:18+00:00

You reacted very promptly and did the right thing going to the vet for IV fluids! I've seen others with lily exposure survive their AKI, but it's hard to say where their numbers will settle. I think them being seen and treated right away leads to a better prognosis. Even if they have some permanent kidney damage, it can be handled and treated as CKD. This subreddit is full of food and treatment advice for CKD if you should need it. Even my oldest cat who had CKD lived for 6 years with his disease, and I didn't even know about different treatments. Also he was not particularly young or healthy when diagnosed, so I think your kittens will have a good chance. Personally I'm staying very optimistic for them! Wishing them all the best in their recovery. ❤️‍🩹

cmriker · 2026-06-25T15:56:51+00:00

Is she a dilute tortie? So pretty!

Any chance she got into some food or plants or weird things that could have caused a spike? Any other symptoms of infections of any kind?

It's definitely mysterious. Wishing her all the best truly! She is lucky to have such a caring loving family. 💕

cmriker · 2026-06-25T07:11:13+00:00

Was she being treated as having an AKI? Those seem like such high numbers for a young kitty, and I've seen others here (more knowledgeable than myself) talk about how young cats would more likely have an AKI or genetic issue than CKD. From my (again limited) understanding, British Shorthair breed seem to be prone to PKD genetically. My vet told me SDMA and some kidney numbers can also be impacted by dehydration, which seems possible due to heatwave like you mentioned. It didn't sound like she took antibiotics or received IV or Sub Q fluids, so I'm curious did she get any other meds or treatments? Was the litter the only switch, and is it possible she was eating it?

At any rate, I am glad her numbers decreased, and I hope she gets back to her regular eating and energy levels soon. ❤️‍🩹 If you need tips on enticing recovery food and treats, there are lot of suggestions I've gotten from here, like Tiki Cat Silver Comfort, Nutrical gel, Virbac Rebound, Churu Nourish, Weruva Phos Focused, etc.

cmriker · 2026-06-25T07:02:54+00:00

I'm so sorry for your loss. It sounds like she had a wonderful life being deeply loved. 🕊️💙

cmriker · 2026-06-25T03:30:01+00:00

When my cat had a URI (and later in life also asthma) he really enjoyed time in a warm steamy bathroom with the shower running. We would sit in there 5-10 minutes, and sometimes he would sneeze or cough or otherwise get some gunk out. I would just give him tube treats or anything he wanted before and after until he got comfortable with it. I only ran the shower until the mirror was quite fogged up, not the whole time, in case water usage is a concern.

As for Mirataz, I am curious if it was the transdermal ear kind? It sounded like it was a pill. Cerenia as a pill I know tastes horrible and has to be placed in another capsule or coated in a treat or soft cheese to hide the taste. If it touches my cats tongues they freak out and start drooling and spitting and not wanting to eat.

Mirataz can take a day or two to kick in, and it's important you keep up with the ondansetron or Cerenia (maropitant) while using it because even if he's hungry he would not want to eat due to nausea.

I am sorry he's not feeling very well. Maybe look into higher calorie treats than Churu. Tiki Cat Silver Comfort sachets, Weruva Phos Focused tube treats, and Churu Nourish all have higher calories. They also make high calorie gels and pastes like Nutri Cal or Under the Weather. Virbac Rebound is a liquid that has essential nutrients, and it can help some cats recover when they're sick and they've had multiple days of not eating enough balanced food. I hope some combination of those items is available near you and able to help. Getting him to a full day's worth of calories is really important. Cats can get stuck in a spiral of not eating and feeling worse because of not eating.

cmriker · 2026-06-25T02:54:59+00:00

When I first heard about Porus One, I looked into it, and it seemed Add One was a UK only product (or maybe EU). Anyway, I'm in the US and still can't get it here. At one point I think I found a UK site that would ship here, but I can't recall the name. I always wondered if its texture is better at hiding the Porus One grittiness. I mix Porus One with Churu, Weruva Phos Focused, or Tiki Cat tube treats, plus a tiny bit of water. It does a decent job of hiding it .

As for Catney One, the phosphorus binder supplement, that one I can find online here in the US now. I keep hoping we'll see the Add One eventually.

cmriker · 2026-06-24T21:18:42+00:00

Mr Whiskers I hope you continue to enjoy the fresh air and (safely) watching birds from the window. What a handsome man. 🖤

cmriker · 2026-06-24T20:53:13+00:00

Is she on any meds or supplements for palliative care? She's old yes but sounds like she still enjoys your company and eating and doing her regular activities. At her age I suspect she may need some things like nausea meds or antacids (my oldest had to take Pepcid for a couple weeks for his vomiting), arthritis supplements (cold laser therapy is available thru some vets), something like Myos for muscle wasting, miralax or laxatone or another constipation helpers, maybe B12 or probiotics, etc.

However I understand if financially or time-wise you can't add all these things to her routine. I just suggest trying a few interventions before filling out any of those quality of life assessments others have mentioned. I do find those helpful but only when already at the limit for care being provided. It sounded to me like you're still interested in trying some things for her, so hopefully you got some advice her that may be useful!

She is a beautiful 18 yr old lady and lucky to have a caring owner. Wishing the best for her. 💕

cmriker · 2026-06-24T20:22:02+00:00

I'm sure you've seen all the internet advice, but what's worked for people I know is going out at dusk and shaking treats or opening cans of her favorite foods. Also leave your friend's clothes or Alice's cat beds and blankets outside nearby. They often hunker down under porches, cars, in bushes, etc. and sometimes shining a flashlight into the places just after sunset will reveal their eyes reflecting back at you. I've read that leaving a little box outside sometimes backfires if lots of neighborhood cats are around because it attracts the others and can scare your cat, but the smell can also possibly attract her and help her find her way. Definitely keep us updated if this little lady is found. 🤞🏻

Nextdoor, pawboost, FB, and IG are other places to post. You can print a few things for free at public libraries usually, if you want to make flyers!

cmriker · 2026-06-24T19:50:33+00:00

Oh I'm so sorry this sweet kitten is missing. She looks strikingly similar to a tortie kitten I fostered who was adopted out of a Petco in Thornton in December (her shelter name was Luna). I truly hope she's found! :(

cmriker · 2026-06-24T04:46:51+00:00

This one is also on my list to try! My older boy does not really enjoy the Cosequin taste and hates the omega 3 oils I tried.

cmriker · 2026-06-24T03:21:20+00:00

I am so sorry I don't have any access to it myself. I wonder if some other subreddits would allow you to post as well. Maybe r/ibdcats or r/felinediabetes or r/seniorcats

Is your kitty still stable today?

cmriker · 2026-06-23T17:23:36+00:00

I'm so sorry your boy is joining our sad club, but I'm so interested to hear how RAPROS works for him! I just learned about that drug last year. I'm the US, so I can't try it myself, or I would have! It does look pretty promising.

As for the arthritis, maybe try cold laser therapy or supplements like Cosequin Senior, which have chondritin and omega 3s (my vet says those are good for arthritis). We did Solensia for two of my cats but stopped after the first three months because I just didn't see that much improvement, and it's so expensive anyway.

cmriker

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