I have a cat that is sick with 20% kidney function....Should I put him to sleep.
Thank you for your answers.
puppy
Hi Puppy welcome in to the crew here... Thats a tough question, and alot depends on the situation, How old is kitty, Kidney failure can happen as a chronic illness as well as can be a sudden event due to eating something he should not have. I am assuming tho your cat has lost 80% of its kidney function which is a very grave situation, one to discuss options with your vet. If I misunderstood and your cat just lost 20% of kidney function then forgive my misunderstanding and lets discuss more.
Kidney failure is a very common end of life issue for elderly cats, one of the most common. I have lost most cats to the same issue. On the other hand I kept one kitty going a few more years doing Subcutaneous fluids at home.
Much depends on the cause of the failure of his kidneys, and also on whether he responds to fluids. Sneakers did well for a few years but it would take dedication on your part. I think we found it earlier then with my other kitties. He never accepted a renal (kidney) diet though. Tigger was diagnosed very late, or it advanced very fast either way by the time tests were run our vet recommended letting him go peacefully, which we did, With Freckles he was at the vets over a long weekend with intensive intravenous fluids, and just didn't respond to them, so we had to go the same route.
Can you discuss it with your vet and other family members? Maybe you can get him comfortable for a bit longer and give yourself closure.
If it happened suddenly due to eating a toxin, again talk to your vet and see if you can treat him a bit and see if he will respond, especially if hes younger.
I am sorry you have to be going thru this. Let us know what happens and how we can help.
