ATTENTION CAT LOVERS!!!

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.