Molly - her kidneys are failing - doing much better

[Kate476]

Go Molly!! She'll definitely be in my thoughts :heart:

 

[lilspaz68]

So glad to hear this!!

 

[SQ]

When standing, Molly is low to the ground and has a wide stance with her legs braced.
When I am seated and she stands on my leg, she seems to be afraid of falling off.

Something is wrong ... I've been thinking pt for the last month or two .....

 

[Godmother]

Has she become worse since you took her off Pred? Would Bromo be worth a try?

 

[SQ]

I have asked the vet about bromo several times over the last 2 months.
I guess it would depend on how hard it is on the kidneys ....
But I assume her vagueness, not seeming able to find the food dis, and possibly not being interested in eating unless hand fed etc
are neurological

Molly has been more dehydrated yesterday and today ... desperately scrambles down into my shirt to lay on me

 

[SQ]

Molly's urine was analysed again ... still dilute but no sugar (thank goodness!).

The vet thinks Molly's kidneys are only functioning at 30% :sad3:
so palative care ..... until ....

Molly is starting an ACE inhibitator, continuing sub-Q fluids as needed and she is now eagerly taking soy formula from the syringe a couple of times a day.
She is still getting half the max pred, and clavamox.
Molly's weight is remaining consistent, she is a bit more active, and seems a bit less confused.
(Or maybe it is just my wishful thinking ...)

If anyone has further suggestions, they would be appreciated.

 

[jorats]

Palliative care is pretty much all that is needed with our oldies and with kidney failure, I'd say keep her very well hydrated.

 

[mamarat]

Sending good thoughts for your Molly.

 

[Joanne]

I'm sorry to hear Molly is failing. I too think that keeping her hydrated is the most important thing you can do for her. Keep trying different foods to see what she will eat now. She will let you know when it's time... :hugs:

 

[Petunia]

Molly is 2.5 years old.
She has lost 50 g since June 9 (Edited for accuracy).
Molly is on pred for hed, and although I suspect pt because she forgets to eat & has no interest in healthy treats, Molly can still handle a cheerio.
Last week I suspected that Molly had a small stroke because of weakness on one side of her body.
But Molly is ok now.

Molly is also on baytril & clavamox because of the pred (sweetened with strawberry nesquik) and also because of lung sounds that have greatly improved.
I have been giving Molly sub-Q fluids over the last couple of days as she has been dehydrated.
Molly no longer eats her mushy lab blocks so lately she has been eating soy infant formula thickened with a bit of baby cereal.
She eats little on her own as she has no interest in food, but Molly will eagerly take it from a syringe.

We went to the vet this afternoon.
Molly's urine is very diluted, and contains high levels of sugar and protien.
So ... no sugar (ie nesquik or sweet fruit) today and another vet apt tomorrow afternoon.
Molly was very dehydrated, has slight lung sounds and as previously mentioned has lost 50 g.

Any ideas or suggestions?
My heart is breaking .......

Molly in her younger days .... http://www.ratshackforum.com/forum/view ... ly#p261665

that sounds like diabetes and/or renal failure
In cats, at least, when their kidneys are starting to fail, their urine actually becomes more dilute and they will spill protein in their urine too sometimes

but I'm fairly certain, that spilling sugar is something that happens in diabetics and not in kidney failure

however uncontrolled diabetes will wreck havoc on the kidney and the two often go hand in hand

in CATS and people and dogs too most likely
but I don't know about rats specifically


I know there's someone in my area who has a diabetic rat, let me think on it and see if I can remember who it is
ETA second edit: :emb: apparently I didn't see there were more posts and only read the first one....... :roll:
ETA you must have been posting at the same time I was LOL
so glad she doesn't have diabetes!
the amount of insulin you give a diabetic cat is tiny- I can't even imagine how one would dose a rat!!

 

[SQ]

Molly is doing much better.
She is not diabetic.
Her kidneys are in poor condition and I believe she has pt.
Molly is now eating a bit independently, no longer needs sub-Q fluids and does not require as much food to be syringe fed.
Molly also is more energetic and 'fiesty"

 

[RattusNorvegicus]

Yay Molly!

 

[mamarat]

That's great news!

 

[Joanne]

Great news SQ! It's wonderful she is feeling better. Do you have her on a special diet? Like VERY low protein?

 

[SQ]

Thank you!! :hugs:

Great news SQ! It's wonderful she is feeling better. Do you have her on a special diet? Like VERY low protein?

No, just the regular diet ... Harlan Tech 2014 blocks and block mush (Harlan blocks + filtered water) ..... healthy treats such as field greens, broccoli, carrots, a piece of banana, a piece of organic puffed wheat, etc
plus syringe fed soy infant formula (12.5g of protien/100g) thickened with a very tiny amount of baby cereal as Molly isn't getting enough nutrition & fluids on her own.

As you can see, their regular diet is fairly low protien.