My cat has CKD. Can she move, or should I consider euthanasia?

This is a very difficult decision but moving such an elderly and infirm cat would not be advisable and could precipitate progression of kidney disease. Euthanasia is a very valid option in this case and will ensure he does not suffer from any stress or upheaval

Hi and thanks for posting! 3 years old is very young to develop kidney disease. I am very sorry. Kidney disease can be acute or chronic (progressive). Acute can get better with hospitalization, chronic does not get better but there are medications and fluids that can help depending on what your vet has recommended. If nothing more can be done as told by your veterinarian for her kidney disease, then you may want to take about end of life care with your veterinarian, especially if she is having more bad days than good and she is uncomfortable. Best wishes to you and Zoe.

If you feel Ella’s quality of life has declined and your veterinarian does not think this is a temporary setback it may be time. Fecal incontinence is concerning - in my opinion the ability to urinate and defecate in the right place is a part of a pet’s dignity and incontinence can affect quality of life. The decrease in appetite and weight loss may be progressive. You may want to schedule a consultation with your vet to discuss everything in more detail. This is such a difficult decision to make, but ultimately you will do what’s best for Ella.

If Shakira stresses very easily, I think the best thing to do is have her seen by her vet before she goes on this trip, and discuss using medication to help ease her stress during it. The medication would be safest to use on a long car ride, not a flight. Make an appointment with her vet to discuss options. I hope this helps!

It can be quite variable and depends a little on the stage of disease (which takes in to account creatinine value, any protein in the urine, and blood pressure), and how affected the cat is when it is detected. There are also other disease processes that can exacerbate kidney blood value elevation (creatinone) so these should be ruled out if not already (such as a kidney infection, high blood pressure). Some cats were early stage kidney disease can live years potentially. A diet change may be recommended to slow progression and if hydration is an issue an owner can learn how to give fluids at home. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This disease is not considered to be necessarily painful. It is more of a debilitating disease. Usually what I tell my clients is that the moment to consider euthanasia is when our pets stop doing the things that they love. For example, they develop poor appetite, stop interacting with you, or stop being herself in general. Usually that is the right time to consider euthanasia especially if there is nothing else that can be done to improve her status. Good luck!

In chronic renal failure, the kidneys can become scarred or small in size, so the ultrasound supports that diagnosis. I am not sure what you mean by stain - this isn't a common term used in the US on ultrasounds. Changing the diet to a prescription renal food, increasing fluid intake by encouraging water consumption or administering subcutaneous fluids, using additional medications as the need arises, etc are ways to maintain or improve quality of life. Depending on the degree of kidney failure and Luci's response to treatments, she may have several more years of good life. But it is also possible that no amount of medical care could keep her comfortable and humane euthanasia may need to be considered sooner than later. Renal transplants are not commonly performed in the world. There is one University in the US that I am aware of performing them, but rarely. There is a large expense, risks of the immune suppressing drugs used, and the ethics of taking a kidney from another cat (that needs to be a perfect match) without them being able to give consent. Often the other cat will need to be adopted by the organ recipient.