If anyone can pray for healing for my cat Meowler and wisdom in treating him, that would be wonderful.

He has many problems (kidney stone, kidney failure, heart disease, upper respiratory infection.) He is somewhere between 12-15 (we adopted him a couple years ago--he was already kind of old and sick.)

Right now he is pulling out his fur. He did this last year and went to a dermatologist. We already have a lot of expensive vet bills coming up, both for Meowler and my other kidney cat and we are quite broke, as we spent a lot on him last six weeks (combination of emergency room/routine blood work) so I don't really know that I can afford to take him to the dermatologist right now. (he's been to the regular vet--thyroid is fine, no visible parasites.) He looks so sad right now, wearing his little cone collar! (so he won't lick ointment off.)

He could have any number of things wrong with him, from food allergies to pain from his kidney stone. I don't want to treat him for fleas/mites unless I know he has them (hard on kidneys) and he is on a prescription diet for his kidneys, so I don't want to switch him to a novel-protein diet.

We are FAR from rich, and have put off buying a house because of all these vet bills. My mother is always horrified by this ("people as poor as you don't spend this kind of money on their cats!") But I would MUCH rather have my cats than my savings or a down-payment. I mean, it's no comparison. They are my babies.

winterwren

note: he is a happy cat. I don't want anyone thinking that he is deathly ill all of the time--he is well managed. The fur pulling worries me mostly because it shows he is uncomfortable.

I understand your love for your pet children. I have 4 cats(2 older) and a dog. Have been through a lot with them. You are a good person winterwren.






1BFii
Hair: All natural dark brown and silver.
Washing: Twice a week, scalp wash, with letting shampoo run through length. Condition from ears on down. Cold as I can stand it final rinse.
Shampoo/Conditioner: I have switched to organic. Aubrey's Honeysuckle Rose Shampoo and Conditioner. Nature's Gate Organics Biotin Shampoo and Conditioner.
Comb, never brush.
Kind Regards,
lacemitts

Thank you for your prayers. I hope all of your furbabies are okay right now. You are a good person, Lacemitts. Not so sure about me...I wish I could be as consistently nice to my husband as I am to my cats, lol.

Thank you again, it means a lot to me.

winterwren

Has the vet put him on a specific kibble diet? I know there is one, can't remember the name of it, but its like z/d or something, not hills science diet, but something similar. Having a brain fart.

Anyways there is controversary as to what to feed kitties with this problem, protein or low protein? Most vets agree that as long as the cat is eating, give it what she/he wants.

Here is an article. Not too much help, but it may help in understanding whats going on. http://www.catsofaustralia.com/cat-kidney-disease.htm

As for the hair pulling, it could be a seasonal allergy or a boredom thing.

Ralph used to do some weird stuff until I switched his food. I think he is allergic to corn, which SURPRISE! is in most animal foods. Its a cheap filler used in kibble. Poor guy can't even have his fave snack, popcorn, or he'll start licking his paws til they are red and raw.

Good luck and both kitties are in my prayers

1c/Nii
12/22/26 Growing since Aug '07
Using Live Clean shampoo and Redkens All Soft Conditioner and Giovanni Direct Leave In Conditioner.

Yes, he's on a kidney diet. I think maybe you mean Hills Prescription Diet K/D? That is what he eats now. There is also Purina Vet Diet N/F and some others, but right now he likes the K/D. To that I say, thank goodness! As sometimes he goes on hunger strikes and won't anything except chicken baby food, which is VERY not kidney friendly. He has a very good specialist. Whenever I read articles about kidney disease, his vet is often cited...so that puts my heart at ease. I didn't know that when I first started taking Meowler to him. Then once I was reading something about how most vets start phosphate binders too late and I got panicky and then I noticed that top study about the subject was done by his vet. lol! (he mentioned the protein controversy, but he still likes kidney diet, even for early stages, because it has other things besides low protein.)

I did not think of the seasonal allergy....it was about this time last year. Hmm! His nose has been kind of red, too.

I think there is corn in all of the kidney food...it annoys me, because I used to buy holistic food...I have wondered about that. I am sorry Ralphie can't have popcorn.

Thank you so much!!

It must make you feel somewhat relived that your babies have a doctor who must know what he's talking about! I know first hand how frustrating it is to have a vet who wont listen to you and you know more than him/her.

And yes, thats the diet I was thinking of. Thanks lol (brain fart over)

1c/Nii
12/22/26 Growing since Aug '07
Using Live Clean shampoo and Redkens All Soft Conditioner and Giovanni Direct Leave In Conditioner.

I feel the same way about my 4 legged fur children. I've had animals all my life and would do anything for them.

I had a couple of cats (Spooky and Squeely) when I was a teen that had kidney problems too. I remember having to give them pills about the size of a football every day. Anyway, the vet told us back then that you need to be careful of the ash content in the food you feed kitties. The lower the ash content the better. The vet recommended less than 4%, but less than 3% was even better. It is indicated on the cat food labels. Your vet may have already compensated for that in the food he has recommended for Meowler (I love that name!).

I wish I could provide you with info on Meowler pulling his fur out. There must be some sort of irritation that makes him want to do this. Is there any kitty wipes at a pet store that might be soothing for him?

The only other recommendation I can think of (and I am sure you are already doing) is giving him plenty of love and attention.

I pray things go well for you and your fur kids.


Leah
Age: 45
3bFii
23.5/27/Waist-goal reached: 9/1/08
23.5/29.5/Hips (new goal)
CO only every 3 day. Baking Soda washes with Sauve Coconut conditioner about once a week.
Hebal tea rinses 3 times a week: chamomile, thyme, rosemary, sage and ACV.
Jojba & EVOO with lavendar EO daily.
Deep oil treatments using cocount oil the night before wash day. Honey rinses.
Sleep with scrunchies down length of pony tail or up in a high bun or braid.
"Happiness depends on ourselves." -Aristotle

"There are times when only a dog will do for a friend: when you're beaten, sick and blue, and the world's all wrong; for he won't care. If you break and cry, or grouch and swear; for he'll let you know as he licks your hands that he's downright sorry and understands." -Don Blanding (1894-1957)

I know that you have a beautiful heart for your pets, too.

I think that the food must have low ash...it has all of the different vitamins and minerals at levels that are kidney friendly, so I imagine the ash would be low, but I guess I don't know...I will look into it.

Spooky and Squeely are great names, too. My husband came up with the name Meowler. Funny thing, that when we got him, he didn't meow at all for days...and then he turned into a really vocal cat. A little too vocal at times. Once when he was meowing for dinner, my husband said that we should have named him "quietler". Lol. He has a very cute meow, though.

Thank you so much!!

winterwren

I will pray for Meowler... I understand how you feel because I have a cat named Suzuki with many problems.
I am glad to hear he is not horribly ill though, and I pray he gets better soon.

He has a cute name .

Lots of love,
~deanna~



2aNii
Chestnut brown

12"/16"/Classic

Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair. ~Kahlil Gibran

-coconut oil
-aloe vera leaf gel
-bb brush
-ACV rinse

for praying. Suzuki is a cute name, too, and I hope he (or she) is doing okay, as well.

winterwren