ATTENTION CAT LOVERS!!!

Major CRF Symptoms: EMACIATION although they may eat regularly, frequent DRINKING from sinks and taps, and irregular URINATION habits!!

Too many of our cats are dying of chronic kidney disease. (chronic renal failure: CRF) We can't cure it but we can help, by identifying the signs, taking care and enabling our cats to live longer and better lives. A cat with kidney problems needs to eat special, quality food. Wet food is recommended for these cats.

Clinics and hospitals – please inform the people and animals that you help. Passing the information via your distribution lists will help so much, as non-clinicians don't have the tools to diagnose.

In general, if your pet displays one or more of the following take him or her to the vet IMMEDIATELY.

(From a poster in an animal clinic)

Clinical signs of infection

Weight loss*

Weakness

Loss of appetite

Fever

Vomiting**

Diarrhea**

Mouth ulcers***

Chronic bacterial infection

CRF connected:

* A cat may eat well but lose weight due to the kidney dysfunction. If your cat is eating regularly, the weight loss is gradual and he or she has a thick, fluffy fur – you might not notice at first. It's a good idea to weigh your cat regularly.

** If a cat goes outdoors, some of the symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, irregular stools could go unnoticed.

*** Halitosis – if a cat has very bad breath, it's often a sign of illness more serious than dental decay.

**** Urination: If cats urinate in unusual places, not in the cat litter as usual, it may indicate a lack of bladder control. Urination is often more profuse and frequent. If cats wet themselves – this is a very serious symptom- to the vet IMMEDIATELY!

***** Dehydration: this is also a major symptom. Vets check this by gently gathering the cat by the scruff of the neck. Loose skin: a healthy cat. Tight skin: dehydration.

Some studies suggest a connection between vaccination and CRF, the vaccination may speed up or worsen the condition– so take note if you vaccinate your cat.

CRF Information Resources:

http://www.felinecrf.com/what0.htm

Tanya's Feline CRF Information Centre: http://www.felinecrf.org/?

PLEASE TAKE NOTE AND DISTRIBUTE THE INFORMATION TO AS MANY PEOPLE AND SOURCES AS POSSIBLE.

Thank you so much.

Thank you for that

You're very welcome. It's important to me to spread the word. Early diagnosis prevents a lot of suffering.

What vaccinations are they referring to as far as worsening the condition?

Here are discussions on ivillage boards on the subject:

http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=iv-ptcatsseriou&msg=5530.1&ctx=256

http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=iv-ptindoorcats&msg=10400.1&ctx=256