My Cat Misty of 16 years has been drinking alot of water and urinating alot also.

[ArnoldLayne]

Last edited Tue Jul 8, 2014, 10:35 PM - Edit history (1)

Vet has given her Antibiotics a few times. I'm worried it is Renal Failure. She eats good even tries to eat my other cats food. Also Misty my Chocolate Point Himalayan Cat still weighs 17 pounds can jump on my coffee table and bed too. She can even still stand up on her back legs like a dog when I give her treats. I wonder what else I should do for her.

[joeybee12]

1. Most likely CRF...and there is treatment...

Talk to your vet...he can get her on SubQ fluids which will do what her kidneys cannot do anymore...you basically put the IV under the skin (scruff of the neck) and fill her up! It really is the only thing that works...I extended the life of 2 of my cats by a year each...you'd be amazed how much better she'll feel after each time...although she won't like during.

[KamaAina]

5. Why can't they do something like that for people?

[joeybee12]

6. Actually, they do...

When I was at the vet's a while back when Melanie was going through it, there was a young vet there learning the ropes and she said a couple guys in her class would give themselves the subq fluids after a night of partying...it was like a wonder drug in getting rid of the hangover and regaining energy!

[KamaAina]

7. Silly Joey.

I meant instead of dialysis.

[3catwoman3]

10. There is a name for that procedure.

Hypodermoclysis. Years ago, before very fine gauge IV needles existed, it was how fluids were given to babies and small children.

[Corgigal]

2. Diabetes

bring her in for a check. My cat, Cleo did all that and when the blood work came back, it was confirmed.

I give her two shots a day, and she doesn't seem all the bothered by it. Insulin cost about 90-100 a month/5 weeks.

Good luck.

[femmocrat]

16. That was my first thought too.

Seems like their vet would have tested for it, though.

[gvstn]

19. I'm not sure which type of insulin your cat takes

But when I was doing research looking for a good price on insulin as the brand I use approaches $100/vial, I read on several pet forums that Walmart always beats everyone else's price by a long shot. They make a contract for 2 years with a manufacturer so you aren't changing brands too often. It might be something to ask your vet about if money is a consideration. http://www.relion.com/diabetes/insulin

I never changed brands for various reasons but just thought I would mention it as insulin seems to just keep getting higher and higher in price.

[onehandle]

3. It's inevitable for even the most well taken care of cat.

You will likely have to give her fluids as described upthread.

It's not all that uncomfortable for the kitty, and will keep her alive and happy for a few months to a few years.

See your vet. They will test.

[Sanity Claws]

4. Could be diabetes

The vet can test her and see what the problem is.

[ArnoldLayne]

8. The Vet said her Glucose level is

fine I guess.

[ArnoldLayne]

9. Im afraid to take her to the Vets

he might want to put her to sleep. I can't let him do that to my beloved Misty.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

11. The vet can't do that without your consent.

He can diagnose her problem and recommend treatment. He might be able to tell you how long she's likely to live with and without treatment - but only you can make the decision whether or not to treat her. Get her to the vet ASAP.

[Skittles]

12. I have a 16 year old cat and I understand

but ArnoldLayne, the best thing you can do for your beloved Misty is take her to the vet - she needs an exam - do that and keep us updated; someone is always here on DU

[ArnoldLayne]

20. Okay I will, can he do an Organ Test or Diagnosis on her?

[LiberalElite]

21. I think a blood test maybe would

tell a lot. Perhaps they'll also do a urinalysis. I've had cats for 30 years. Doesn't make me an expert, just speaking from experience. I've had cats with kidney disease and overactive thyroids. Diabetes I haven't had to deal with yet. However I did have to give one cat regular injections and there was no problem - just pull up the skin on the neck and stick in the needle, which is very fine. She never seemed to notice.

[Skittles]

25. I believe it's just a blood test

I got one last year because I thought my cat was drinking more and also I wanted his teeth cleaned - the results were fine - vet said he would have never been able to tell he was as old as he is

[ArnoldLayne]

26. Oh yea that sounds positive and makes me feel alot better.

[magical thyme]

27. blood chemistries will indicate whether it's diabetes or kidney failure

or both or something else entirely. And then will enable the vet to prescribe appropriate treatment, tell you what signs and symptoms to watch out for, etc.

[myrna minx]

15. If it's chronic renal failure, there are many things you can so to help her live

a good life, but it's better if you know. Same with diabetes. I know it's scary, but you'll be happier to know what you can to to prolong her life with you.

[WilliamPitt]

13. Might be a thyroid condition.

My guy has one, and was guzzling water by the gallon until I got him diagnosed and medicated.

[ArnoldLayne]

22. What kind of medication since her gave her a shot of Clavamox (Amoxicillin)

Last edited Wed Jul 9, 2014, 02:49 PM - Edit history (1)

and drops also can they take? Like I said she eats her food and my other Cat Sydney's food unless I hold her back till Sydney eats her Fancy Feast. Misty stands up on her back legs, stretches as high as she can like a dog to eat a cat treat out of my hand. Even knocks the pack of treats off my table and tries to use her paws to open it. Loves Catnip and still weighs almost 17 pounds.

[WilliamPitt]

28. 5mg of Felimazole 2x a day

I put the pill in this Pill Wrap goo any vet will have. Boomer loves it, and he's getting better every day.

[shenmue]

14. Hugs

[MrMickeysMom]

17. There's a good chance the kidney's fail at this time...

Mr. Mickey, who is 17.5 years young now does the same with water intake, but he's happy.

To help him as best as we can after one blood test to reveal his kidneys are failing, we give him "KD" (Science diet, which is basically, bleh! but is the low protein kind of diet that will lessen the degree of failure). We find that he eats it pretty well, we give him other stuff, he drinks and pees a lot, and by the Gods who rule kitteh-kind, we'll give him whatever the hell he wants with this regimen till he's reached the end of his days, which I do not look forward to.

They can't live forever, and I think we all know this. This is my best advice.

[gvstn]

18. I'm not certain but

I think renal failure would not include excessive urinating but the opposite. Her kidneys wouldn't be processing the fluids correctly so less urination and more fluid retention.
It could be diabetes but undiagnosed diabetes in humans usually includes unexplained weight loss along with excessive thirst. If glucose levels were normal then I wouldn't be worried about that.
It could just be a hot weather thing or due to excessive grooming.

My older cat suddenly stopped eating his dry food last summer. He has always been overweight. He too seemed to be drinking a lot of water and urinating more than usual. I was a bit concerned but more about not eating than the increased urination which I might have come on rather gradually but I hadn't been paying attention. Anyway, long story short, I had trouble finding another dry food that he enjoyed so while trying different brands of dry, I increased his wet food intake which he enjoyed. Reading up on it wet food has all the nutrition he needs. So now he gets mostly wet and only eats dry at night when no one is awake to feed him. He has gradually lost a pound or too over the last year and looks healthier. He seems to be drinking and urinating more often than when he was younger (back then he never drank enough water) but nothing that I am concerned about at this point. Perhaps try giving her some extra wet food and see if that slacks some of her thirst.

[ArnoldLayne]

23. Thank you that is what I am doing. Oh by the way she just knocked my last beer over on the coffee

Last edited Wed Jul 9, 2014, 02:59 PM - Edit history (1)

table when I rattled the bag of treats for her and Sydney. I just opened the dam can up too and she smacked it with her paw spilling it on the table just to get her treats.

[ArnoldLayne]

24. At least I know I treated her good. I live in a 6 room home by myself 3 bedrooms. Both Misty

Last edited Wed Jul 9, 2014, 02:24 PM - Edit history (1)

and Sydney have their own bedrooms, air conditioned they don't go out except own my back deck which has netting around it so they can't get out. Misty use to be out doors until 7 years ago. Sydney's paws have never touched the grass only carpet.