Vet? Vitamin C dose for 21 year old cat?

My cat is 21 years old, has renal failure and hyperthyroid. Medication puts her off her food, so she is not taking anything for these conditions.


She has just developed a sneeze that is probably a minor respiratory infection or cold like thing (she is indoors-Never goes outside). I just started giving her 1/4 of a 500mg. chewable tablet vitamin C 2X a day.


Is this enough? Too much? In the past, I had a holistic vet tell me vit. C was good to treat cold like symptroms. I would prefer not to give her antibiotics as she stops eating with any meds or throws it up (but I will if the vit. C doesn't help.)She tolerates the vitamin C for some reason.


She is eating well, and does not seem like she feels bad.


She has no visible nasal discharge.





I am looking for answers about the vitamin C only.


Thanks.

Vet? Vitamin C dose for 21 year old cat?
Hello!





I am not a Vet, but I am a Vet Tech at a feline only practice.





Please do not give your cat Vitamin C. Generally asissting your cat fighting off an infection with Vit. C would be fine. It would have to be giving 5 to 6 times daily because it is rapidly excreted through urine BUT





In your case, since you cat is geriatric with renal failure Vitamin C supplementation will change the acidity of her urine and make that condition considerably worse.





Its actually more important your cat is eating well, that will help her immune system fight off the minor respiratory infection and will help her keep weight on (which is difficult for a hyperthyroid cat).





Cats synthesize Vitamin C through glucose, so they get what they need from a normal premium cat food diet. If your vet has her on a prescription diet for renal failure, it may be bland and she may not seem interested in it... try adding a bit of poultry fat or clam juice to the food... you cab also try warming it a bit.





Hope this helps. No Vitamin C, okay?





Hi again, just saw your new update... I am glad to hear she is eating well, but I still have to say no Vitamin C though. Even a healthy cat would excrete Vitamin C quickly in urine so it would have to be given 5 to 6 times daily... its way to much acid for her failing kidneys and with the added complication of the hyperthyroid increasing her metabolism it really could make the renal failure and her overall condition worse.





If she doesn't have a nasal discharge and her upper respiratory symptoms are minor I would just allow her immune system to fight it off naturally. If you haven't done so make sure to remove respiratory irritants from her environment (no carpet fresh, or room products with heavy fragrances... plain unscented non clumping clay litter - nothing with baking soda)





If it gets worse your vet may be able to give her a 5 day short course of Baytril or Clavomox along with a very low dose of Valium (diazepam) -- it increases appetite in many cats.
Reply:I have no holistic veterinary background, but from what I have learned cats do not need vitamin C supplements. Guinea pigs and primates need to supplement their diets with vitamin C. Cats metabolize vitamin C through their liver.


Not to knock down your holistic beliefs, but I think it would be best to take it to a veterinarian who specializes in Western Medicine. Congratulations on your cat living for so long, but if it is suffering, you may want to put it down, but it is up to you.
Reply:Something to keep in mind about the antibiotic. It will only help if she has a BACTERIAL infection. The vitiman C might help with either bacterial or viral but an unnecessary antibiotic might do more harm than good.


Good luck with her treatment. 21 years! She must be quite a cat!
Reply:21 years old? How about a dose of a "put me outta my misery"?
Reply:Wow thats great that she has lived so long! I'm not sure but is it made just for cats?
Reply:I think I would take the advice of the vet tech who said "no" to the vitC..but I have a question for you...How on earth did you get your cat to live that long? Please give us some tips!
Reply:Hi





Your cat needs the hyperthyroid meds. In no way should that interfere with your cat's appetite at all.





As far as antibiotics, clavamox has been nown to make some cats naucious and lose their appetite. Don't know if that was what you were giving. There are other options that are easier on a cat like baytrill or ampicillin





Have you tried alternate groups like crf.org or crf.com to find aslternative foods that you can give? There are many that are much better then the stuff the vet sells and maybe a change will help the appetite. Best of luck
Reply:First, keep in mind that vitamin C is very acidic, and your kidney kitty is already pretty acidic. It may make her sick in the tummy and worsen her disease if you overdo acidity -- is she taking something for nausea? There are some very good products using colostrum that are good for the immune system. I would also use CQ10 and acidopholis on a kidney kitty. Acidopholis twice a day (human grade refrigerated) can help your kitty unload toxins, and help the immune system.





\PS, holistic medicine is what allowed my kitty to live so long with kidney disease, but I also had great allopathic specialists, so don't knock either one. they both have their place. But there are a lot of fakes in the holistic arena out there so be careful also.