IF you think your cat has gotten into something toxic, get him/her to the vet quickly, as this may be reversible. 

The following are only a few of the medications used to treat CKD. A phosphrous binder and a potassium supplement needs no prescription.  However, a veterinarian MUST give proper dosing for any medication given to your pet.

 

The most common treatments are:  

   1) When the creatinine is above 6, the first step is a hospital stay for about 3-5 days.  During this time, they will receive IV fluids.  Blood work will be retested and if numbers have come down to normal (or close to), your pet will be released from the hospital with a regime to follow.  That regime may include the following:

 

  ~ Subcutaneous Fluids (Subqs).  The dose given will be determined by your vet, and goes according to the cat's weight and creatinine level.  A general rule of thumb is:

 

                    ~  8 to 10 lbs give 100 mls per day

                    ~  11 to 14 lbs give 125 mls per day

                    ~  15 lbs give 150 mls per day 

 

Below 8 lbs, give 50 to 80 mls per day.  It is always best to give daily, so there i  is even hydration.  Your veterinarian will give you the proper dose.  

   

   2) Phosphorus binders:  When the phosphorus level reaches 5 or 6, a phosphorus binder must be started. The best to give is aluminum hydroxide because it works faster, while the others are calcium based and will increase the calcium level in the blood work.  Where to buy it?  Thriving Pets because they have the purest.  Their link is:  https://thrivingpets.com/

Should you need to email them, send to the attention of Chris or Ian (the owners).  They are very quick responding and most helpful in their answers.  

 

   3) Potassium supplements:  ONLY if the potassium level is LOW in the blood work.  Link for a good one is:  https://amzn.to/3DMJAb9

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   4) Mirtazapine:  This is an appetite stimulant.  A prescription is required and the vet would give you a dose.

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   5)  Varenzin-CA1 (aka Molidustat):  is a medication that is made from CAT      hormones and is an injection that is given once a day for 28 days.  Then stopped for seven.  Retested, and if the Hematocrit (HCT) is elevating again, you begin the process over (after those seven days). 

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  6)  Epogen:  Is a human medication made from human hormones.  It is used to stimulate the red blood cells to produce more.  Epogen is given 3 times a week until it reaches the normal level (35%).  You then cut back a week.  If it remains in the normal range, you skip another.  Your goal is to find the proper dose for your cat that will hold the Hematocrit (HCT) in place. 
Walmart Specialty Pharmacy in Orlando, FL sells this.  They ship free overnight on weekdays only.  It is by prescription only, so your vet must call in the prescription to the pharmacy.  Their website is:

https://www.walmart.com/cp/specialty-pharmacy/4101489
 

  7)  Darbepoetin:  Is a human medication made from human hormones used to        stimulate the RBCs to produce more when a cat is anemic.  This medication is given    once a week until it reaches normal range.  Your goal (as with Epogen) is to find the proper dose for your cat that will hold the Hematocrit (HCT) within normal

range.  Walmart Specialty Pharmacy in Orlando, FL sells this.  (See above under Epogen)

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  8)  Cerenia:  is an oral medication that is used once a day for nausea & vomiting in dogs and cats.  It can be given by injection or in tablet form.  

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  9) Ondansetron (brand names Zofran®, Zuplenz®) is an antiemetic used off label (extra label) to treat severe nausea and vomiting in dogs and cats. Ondansetron is given by mouth in the form of a tablet or liquid. Measure liquids carefully.

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10)  Amlodipine:  is used to treat high blood pressure in a cat. Treatment for hypertension should be considered when a cat’s systolic blood pressure exceeds 160 mmHg. Blood pressures over 180 mmHg are considered high risk for causing organ damage.

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11)  Benazepril:  used in the treatment of congestive heart failure, and in the treatment of renal protein loss in the urine.  Benazepril is removed from the body by both the kidneys and the liver.  Because it is removed by both, it allows the liver to take over some of the work from the kidneys when it comes to removing the drug.

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