Question:
I have a 8 and a half year old DLH Male, who seems to have lost a bit of weight in the past 6 months (he's always been thin, but I can now feel his bones more predominantly). Recently, he doesn't have the 'kitten like' quality in his demeanour that he usually had, although he can still leap onto the window sill and into the shower after I'm done! He's never been a big eater, and is still nibbling at food.
This morning, I noticed urine by the front door on a mat.
I've got my house up for sale, and a lot of potential buyers have been through, so his life has been disruppted somewhat.
Any thoughts?

Answer:
An 8 yr old cat who is becoming bony and having accidents in the house definitely needs a vet check!

He could have diabetes, thyroid or kidney problems.

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Taking him to the vet this aft...thanks for the response

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Well, the news wasn't good, but I'm a bit more optimistic today...my poor kitty went into kidney failure, and spent the weekend at the vet. If his levels are better today, I may be able to bring him home, but the vet has said I will need to give him injections for the rest of his life. I'm looking for someone who is/has gone through the same thing for advice...how difficult are these injections to administer? How long have other cats survived with this ailment (my vet said a few months to a couple of years)
Any information would be welcome.
thanks

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Oh, I'm sorry to hear this.:( Kidney failure is pretty common in cats, although yours is rather young. Did the vet tell you what degree of failure there is?

I have never had this problem with my cats, but a friend did. She had to inject her cat with fluids every day and did not find it difficult.

I wish you luck. Just watch him and make sure he has some quality of life for now. You'll know when he starts suffering.:(
Let us know know how it goes!

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The vet will know more today when his second round of blood work comes back. I saw him every day since Thursday when I brought him in, and he was consistantly getting better - at least more alert and didn't feel as thin.
I'm in this for the long haul, so whether the injections are daily or a few times a week, I'll ensure they're administered - even though I'm not fond of needles :(
thanks for your concern and interest...I'll give an update in a couple of days...especially on how my other beloved cat reacts to him!

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...As well - I have a question for anyone based in the southern part of Toronto...I am moving to the big smoke within the next few months, and am looking for recommendations for vets - anywhere south of Bloor St; East of Dufferin, and West of the DVP...especially looking for someone who has a cat with the same condition as mine (kidney failure) who can recommend a vet who deals with this. I will also ask my vet, but always like hearing from people who go to a vet first hand!

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Well I'm happy to say that my cat is doing fairly well...we are giving him injections of fluids 3 times a week, and I am taking him back next week to have his blood checked again to see if there's any change in his levels. He's becoming more and more like his old self everyday - jumping up on our bed, playing and purring - and the most important thing...he's eating like a horse!
I'm feeding him special wet food with lower protein that I get at the vets. I've visited several pet stores and no one seems to carry anything this specific. Does anyone know of a pet store that carries these foods for cats with special needs?
All in all, I'm very happy my cat is back and doing well. I know he may only have a couple of months or a couple of years left - but I'm going to make the most of them, and keep him as healthy as possible.

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I'm not sure if they'll do this but you can call the Veterinary Referral / Emerg clinic in Toronto. They will care for your cat and maybe recommend a close vet.

The clinic is in the downtown core.

VEC
416 920 2002

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I have no advice to give,just wanted to add,you are wonderful for taking such good care of your cat and I am really happy he's doing better..

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I don't have any advice also but you are definitely a great person for keeping your sick cat. I adopted a cat 4 months ago. She was very skinny but would still jump onto my bed and onto the back of the sofa. She was my first cat so I didn't know if she was sick or not, but the vet I took her for the first vet check said she was perfectly heathly. She loves eating treats but don't really enjoy other food (canned or dry). After about 2 1/2 months, she started to have difficulty breathing. I took her to another vet and she told me my cat had very advanced kidney failure probably for more than a year. She said there is absolutely nothing she can do and advice me to let her go peacefully.
I am not saying this to scare you but your cat is very lucky because you notice her symtoms so early. Good luck with your cat and please continue to tell us how she is doing.

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Thanks to all that have posted replies - it's good to know there are people out there who don't think I'm nuts to spend all this time and $ on my cat!!
Just an update...Mats (my beloved cat ;-) is acting like there's nothing wrong..he's eating lots, being very playful, and being more affectionate than ever! I took him back to the vets last week to have his levels checked, and for some reason the levels are worse than when I brought him home! I couldn't believe it since he's acting much better than before. However, the vet told me to hydrate him every day instead of 3 times a week, and we'll check his levels again in a couple of weeks. I'm hoping this helps, but at the same time am wondering if I'll be able to deal with this much of a commitment. It basically ties my hands to venturing out for a weekend or holiday, but I know he's worth it. On that note, was wondering if anyone is in the same situation as I am, and has found someone (a vet asst?) that they pay to come to their home if they're away for more than a couple of days to administer the fluids?

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Yes, I know someone who has quite a few rescued cats with health issues, and she does have a tech from our vet go in daily to administer shots or pills.

Glad your kitty is feeling better!

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That's good to know - thanks for the info!
I'm hoping his levels get better and that the hydration goes back to a few times a week, but I'm prepared to be in it for the long haul. It just surprises me how well he's doing - playful, eating fine, etc. and yet his levels are not even close to where they should be. I've decided that as long as his quality of life is good, I'll be happy.

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