2023-06-07

Feline renal failure and diabetes in cats

SHAID Tree Animal Shelter

The kidney is an amazing organ – it makes urine and rids toxins in the body; it manages hydration and blood pressure; it balances pH in the blood and calcium; and so much more. Over time, the kidney can sometimes wear out due to the wear and tear of living.

When we don't have enough working kidney tissue to maintain normal function, we are said to have renal failure. Treatment is focused on preventing progression in the earlier stages and on maintaining good life quality in later stages.

Callie is a very sweet seven-year-old kitty who is looking for a calm, quiet place to live her remaining years with someone who understands the mid-stage of renal failure.

SHAID's volunteer veterinarian, Dr. Black, thinks she has a good three-to-five years of comfortable snuggles and love left in her. Her only "needs" are a special kidney care food diet. Because we would rather see her in a loving home than living her remaining years at our little shelter, Callie's adoption fee is waived in return for that loving home she so deserves. To whomever opens up their heart and home to this sweet, special-needs senior, we promise you won't regret it.

Diabetes is caused by a deficiency of insulin; the main symptoms of diabetes are excessive urination, excessive thirst, excessive appetite, and weight loss – but once treatment starts, it should control these symptoms.

Using too little insulin is a problem in the long term, but too much insulin is potentially an emergency in the short term. While it may sound daunting, it's actually pretty simple, and we are hoping maybe someone who has diabetes might consider giving our Cocomelon her forever home.

Cocomelon is a seven-year-old gorgeous, long-haired female with big green eyes and a calm, loving personality. Her owner was going to have her euthanized after her diabetes diagnosis, but thankfully her vet reached out to us to see if we could help – and thankfully we were.

Cocomelon is currently on a special diabetic diet food, and does require two units of insulin, twice per day. It is very important that she has food in her belly prior to receiving her shot to keep her insulin level. The cost of diabetes care in cats is extremely affordable and all supplies (including food) are less than $30 per month. With proper care, diabetic cats can live long, happy lives.

We know the perfect homes for Callie and Cocomelon are out there in our amazing community and we hope this article will help reach them. If you have any questions about either of these two cuties, please reach out to manager@shaidanimalshelter.com">manager@shaidanimalshelter.com. Thank you.