Vincent’s Check-Up After One Month
AnimalCare 
Oct 17, 2018 
AnimalCare, NGOs 
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Today was Vincent’s check-up after one month on treatment at this vet.
First, the vet is pleased with his weight gain. Based on the records at this clinic, using their scale, Vincent’s weight has gained steadily from 2.6kg to 3.1kg, then 3.3kg and today, 3.6kg. The vet says this is already considered very good. She doesn’t expect Vincent to go up to 4.0kg, with his kidney issues.
Vincent also looks so much better, is “meatier” too. However, he is still dehydrated, so we did 250ml fluids at the clinic today. We will not reduce the fluids anymore, and will do 200ml-250ml daily. Vincent’s hydration was actually very good a few days ago (based on the pinch test).
The vet checked Vincent’s heart and lungs – no fluids there. So, he can definitely continue with at least 200ml daily. His kidney condition is at an advanced stage, so he is losing a lot of fluids.
The good news today is that his mouth ulcers have healed a lot! The ulcer on the tongue is totally gone.
Then it was time for his blood test (only for urea and creatinine) and urine test (for protein urea). I had been waiting anxiously for this urine test, hoping the protein urea would decrease.
The vet drew some urine from Vincent’s bladder – still very clear and no odour. I told the vet that I think protein is still leaking from his kidneys because for the amount that Vincent gorges every day (6-7 times a day), he should be putting on more weight than this, and yet, using our home weighing scale, the highest he had ever reached was only 3.9kg.
Waiting for the results.
Well, the results were a little disappointing for me. His protein urea is still as high as before, but the vet explained that it is because Vincent is eating so much more these days, so his protein level is high and hence, naturally, his protein urea would also be high. But it also means that protein is still leaking from his kidneys. Sigh…as expected.
The reality is that Vincent has advanced end-stage kidney failure. We cannot expect miracles to happen. It’s good enough already that Vincent is eating so well, enjoys his food and is happy. And has gained weight too. We cannot really ask for anything more for someone who has end-stage kidney failure. The vet said with a protein urea reading this high, Vincent’s kidneys are really not looking good.
I guess we already knew this 1-2 months ago. But at least he looks much better now, eats better (definitely) and feels better too. He sleeps with me on the bed every day, has taken over Heidi’s permanent spot on the bed too. He is also more confident and wants to socialise. All this is good, I suppose.
As for his blood test, the creatinine has come down a little, but of course, is still high. The BUN (urea) is high. For this, we now have to increase the Azodyl from one capsule to two daily.
Vincent will still be on the antacid, but this time, its a tablet (Alucid) since he spits out the liquid antacid these days. The antacid is for phosphate control, for the mouth ulcers and gastric acid (if any). The ulcers will always be an existing condition because it’s an auto-immune response from his body. But we are really glad that the mouth ulcers have healed so, so much. Compare this to the time when his mouth ulcers showed absolutely no signs of healing despite medication and he couldn’t eat, there were indentations on his tongue and back of mouth and he was drooling very foul thick saliva all the time…I’m so thankful those days are over now.
We will continue with the Fortekor at half-tablet daily. The painkiller, Tramadol, can be reduced to once every alternate day and if Vincent can still eat well, then we can wean that off.
Then, came the question of food. The vet feels that due to the high level of protein loss, Vincent should be on renal food. But Vincent does not like any of the renal food. He loves his raw food and Cindy’s canned food. He eats homecooked as well. The vet says that if that is the case, Vincent should be on more homecooked than canned and raw. Raw should be last as the protein content is high.
We’ll just have to strike a balance on what’s best for Vincent. I’m okay with homecooked, canned and raw.
To me, being a cat who probably doesn’t have many other pleasures in life, eating is still a pleasurable activity. If Vincent loves eating his food so much, I’d say to let him enjoy his food. Let him be happy.
As the song in Oliver goes, “Food, Glorious Food!”
Enjoy the moments!
Source: https://myanimalcare.org/2018/10/17/vincents-check-up-after-..
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