Veterinarian Checkup for Sam my FIV Cat

It has been 45 days since my FIV cat was diagnosed with kidney failure and put on a special prescription k/d food diet.  We were told that Sam could no longer eat animal protein because it was hard on his kidneys.  We had to feed him food that was formulated for renal health only.

We bought the Hills Prescription Diet k/d canned food and the dry kibble then mixed the two together and put them in his food bowl.  Sam played with the food but would not eat it.  

So I removed that food from the bowl and replaced it with k/d canned food only.  Mr busy cat went into the kitchen got a towel and put the towel on top of his food bowl.  I guess he hated it so much that he did not want to look at it. (lol)

Sam eats dry k/d food from the bowl

My cat has got to eat, I removed the canned food, washed his bowl, and poured Sam a bowl of the dry k/d special kidney diet food.  Sam grazed his food bowl and ate a few pieces of food.  Then he took every piece of food out of the bowl and put the kibble on the carpet.     

Our veterinarian suggested that we try Prescription renal LP by Royal Canin and again Sam did not eat the food. He grazed his bowl when absolutely necessary but other than that would not eat the special diet food.

The one thing that the veterinarian told us is that Sam could not lose weight. When he was checked it was noted that he lost 1 pound. The attending veterinarian said that his weight loss may be due to the FIV condition and I disagreed, I know it is because our cat does not like food that is made with no animal protein. Cats are carnivores, not vegetarians.

The veterinarian said that Sam cannot lose any more weight, so now they have ordered a new prescription for feline renal health food for Sam. We hope that this new food tastes better because I am sure that this is why our cat is not eating.

Sam is a junk food kitty eating Purina Friskies Salmon Pate for Senior cats mixed with Blue Buffalo spa selects and loved this food combination before he became sick and now he hates his kidney diet food.  

Hoping that this next prescription food will be one that Sam likes.   

My Cat Sam is Losing Weight

Forty-five days ago my cat Sam was rushed to the veterinarian because he had a fever and stopped eating. These two symptoms are cause for alarm when your cat has feline immunodeficiency virus. My cat was admitted to the animal hospital and stayed there for ten days. That is when we learned that his kidneys were not normal and that he had chronic kidney disease, his teeth needed to be removed, and that he was losing weight.  Pounds were lost while at the veterinarian hospital.

Sam hiding in the water container.

 Sam was losing weight; was a warning flag for cancer. 

Sam had an ultrasound and the results were negative, of course, this ultrasound could not see inside his internal organs and we have no idea if he has kidney cancer or what.

So we bring Sam home and he has to eat special cat food; Royal Canin veterinary diet Renal LP in gravy canned food for chronic kidney disease or renal failure.

The food gives him more energy but also reduces his food intake, plus Sam hates canned food.  He is a kibble junkie cat, and I guess he does not like the taste, eats only when he has to and I can tell he does not like it because he growls at his food bowl.

Yes, my cat hates his kidney diet food.  He eats when is starving and seldom licks the plate clean. I think this is why he has lost more weight.

The veterinarian says the weight loss is not due to the lack of kibble food but thinks it is due to some underlining medical condition.  I am a worried cat mom. 

We go back to the veterinarian on Tuesday for a checkup.

Hanging Out With My Cat Sam

Only a cat owner will know what I mean by "hanging out with a cat". Unlike dogs, cats are intuitive and sense when they need to be calm or caring of their owners. Today I am sick and staying in bed and my cat Sam has been hanging out with me.  Normally he is very busy but instead of playing with the dog or watching the birds he is lying next to me.

Cats can be playful and make their owners laugh and then when you do not feel good they sense your emotions the cat is really affectionate and are good company. For instance, when I do not feel good my cat knows it and he will bring all of his toys to me and set them close to me. He will not insist that I throw the cat ball far, instead, he will be happy playing with me while I lie in bed or on the sofa.

Hanging out with my cat Sam is fun because he lies next to me as if he is keeping me warm and when I nap he naps.   When I awake I usually find Sam under the fleece blanket or on top of my head purring.

Today I do not feel good so I have been lying on the sofa in the living room because my husband has a nice warm fire going in the fireplace and the heat sure feels good, Sam is hanging out with me on the sofa and so is the dog. When I do not feel good my cat is good company.

Note: Sam has feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and so he does sleep more, which means when you are sick and have to stay in bed, an FIV cat is good company.

Quality Time Spent with FIV Cat

They say that your FIV cat has 5 to 7 years to live a quality life before the feline virus that suppresses its immune system makes the cat sick and I say make those years the best years of your cat's life by spending quality time with them.

My cat Sam the Siamese playing with a ball on the bed

My cat Sam is celebrating his 7^th year since becoming diagnosed with feline immunodeficiency virus and oh boy has he had a good life. In his cat life, he went from living down the street with his sister to a nice family and had a happy kittenhood until the family moved away and abandoned him. They took the female Siamese cat but left Sam to fend for himself in the neighborhood.

Sam did not do so well being outdoors because he was not neutered and the neighborhood and feral tomcats beat him up regularly. When I caught him Sam was not a pretty cat, his hair was missing, bite wounds and he was skin and bones. But I took care of him and nursed him back to health and even though he had been diagnosed with FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) he went on to live a wonderful cat life where his people and dog loved him.

Sam has a cat room with toys and a self-warming K&H cat bed. cat tree and a window seat where he can watch the birds eat from an outdoor feeder. Sam gets plenty of belly rubs plus kisses and he is told every day that he is loved. In fact, I sing a silly little song and Sam sings the chorus.  My husband thinks it is hysterical but I do not care it is my special song that I sing with my cat Sam.

My rescue cat may have had an iffy time when he was abandoned but the last seven years have been perfect and we are hoping and praying that he has seven more years.

FIV Cats Sleep More Than Normal Cats

When you own an FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) infected cat you tend to read books and search online for information regarding this feline disease.  Then you do everything that you can to keep your cat healthy and happy so that he does not get sick.

My cat Sam sleeping on the sofa.  He sleeps 90% of the day

All the information that I have read indicated that cats that are infected generally do not show signs of the disease for five to seven years. I rescued Sam in 2008 and he was diagnosed with Feline AIDS which was reduced to FIV since he had no symptoms. Sam has been healthy and happy for seven years and now he is sick; renal failure and possible cancer.

The veterinarian said that the renal failure is due to the FIV and he suspects that he may have cancer also. My cat is slipping away from me and there is nothing I can do to stop his illness from progressing. We had hoped that we could spend one more year with him but I do not know if that is possible.

Sam is still happy, talks to me daily plays with the dog but overall he sleeps more than before.For now, we are keeping all veterinarian appointments.  He has had a B12 shot and that has helped some.  His weakened immune system cannot fight off the diseases and for now, I have my Sam even though he sleeps 90% of the day, the 10% is still quality time spent with my cat Sam.