Keeping
Records
It's
extremely helpful for you and your veterinarian if you keep
detailed records on your cat's health. It may seem like a lot
of work at first, but you'll find, as time goes on, that it
will soon become habit. Keeping track of reactions to medications,
doses given and symptoms is crucial when you have a cat with
CRF. These records will be invaluable if you seek a second opinion
or go to a specialist. Charts and notes can be created on computer
or done by hand. A spreadsheet containing lab numbers will tell
you at a glance how the disease is progressing. This is most
helpful for your veterinarian, too, as it becomes unnecessary
to shuffle through paperwork to re-create the cat's history
of blood work.
It's also a good idea to keep track of water intake on a daily
basis as your veterinarian will want to know how much the cat
is drinking. Simply measure the water each day when you change
it and then measure what's left when you change it again. Create
a daily chart and hang it on the refrigerator or in an easily
accessible place. It will only take a few seconds to update
it each day and you'll know if there are any drastic changes
in water intake.
As
the illness progresses, keeping track of the cat's frequency
of vomiting, eating habits, bowel movements and urination are
all helpful bits of information for your veterinarian.
If
your cat is taking medication, it's a good idea to keep a chart
or calendar so that you don't lose track of what medication
you gave and when you gave it.
Post
instructions detailing what your cat eats, any medications it
takes, the sub-Q schedule and your vet's name, address and telephone
number in a prominent place. In the event anything would happen
to you, someone else would be able to take over the care of
your cat without too much difficulty.
Because
CRF cats are prone to weight loss, it's important to weigh your
cat frequently and keep a weight chart. Pediatric and shipping
scales will usually display the weight in the appropriate increments.
To weigh your cat on a bathroom scale, first weigh yourself,
then weigh yourself holding the cat and deduct the difference.
Your cat can also be weighed frequently at the vet's office
without much stress if you weigh the cat in the carrier, then
deduct the weight of the carrier. Remember, in cats, ounces
are important!
