Tanya's Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic Kidney Disease: Everything You Need to Know to Help Your Cat

This book appears to be very thorough, too thorough for my taste, and, she completely disses holistic which floors me. If it's not your forte, fine, say so. But she says they're some of the biggest charlatans out there. Really? Doctors and veterinarians in bed with the food and drug industries aren't charlatans? Fascinating.If you're in a crisis, the last thing you need is a 4-pound 1.5" thick book. You may find it helpful, however, for me, I glanced through it and then it has lived on my bedroom floor since. Everything you need is on her site, and, it's fast because you can use the search function.I find the wording on the back very misleading - that the information Helen provides and her group are all you really need. It sounds like Helen is there for people. This is a huge flaming red flag. Read on.I had been a part of her "support" group but when people complained about not receiving answers to their crises, one begins to wonder.Helen's response to why people do not receive replies in her own support group? Because *everyone* in the group are takers. Yes. She said that. Everyone. And when people spoke up to defend themselves she continued to verbally abuse them saying everyone has excuses. Anyone with the smallest amount of logic knows this makes no sense. The only way the support group still exists is because people answer each other. Rarely do you see Helen post, and in no way does she alone answer each and every one. If you're looking for drama, check it out. If not, you may find better, truly compassionate, non-judgmental help elsewhere.I am returning this book but had to say something, this is just plain wrong. You don't treat people this way and I will not financially condone this.Helen has done some great work, but buyer and support group member, beware.

Such a great resource. You should ALWAYS consult your veterinarian and be working closely with them if you have a CKD (chronic kidney disease) cat, but this is such a great book to have even if you've had cats previously in renal failure or insufficiency. The detail and thought that has gone into this research is very good and explains what you are going to run into very well.I work as a veterinary assistant and recommend this to all of my clients with cats in renal failure. You should never try a treatment without discussing it with your vet, but it gives you avenues to explore and a good vet should be willing to discuss these options with you and help you decide how to approach your cat's health. I have had three cats with CKD, one who passed away from heart failure (she had congestive heart failure as well) and two who are 18 years old, both in stages 3 and one leaning towards 4. Every time I look at this book or their website I am finding new information and new things to try to help address the issues that are going to come up (nausea, weight loss, nutrition, constipation, hydration, etc).

This is a fantastic book to have on hand if your kitty has CKD!The author knows about this because she was just like you and me and then she had to go through CKD with more than one cat and she collected everything she could find on it. You know the state of mind you are in dealing with a sickly kitty, well, reading this helped calm me a little. At least I had some idea of what was going on and that I was not powerless to help my little one.Yes, the author has a lot of the same info online, but I am a book kinda person and sometimes you can find new things by flipping through a book rather than clicking links. Having this by my side to read as I sat with the kitty who sometimes just needed a companion to sit next to her as she tried to sleep. (She really hated when I was on my phone as I sat with her.) There are so many different choices you can make food, medicine and health wise for your kitty at this time. And it's good to know the symptoms because your kitty will not be telling you. Mine definitely didn't. But after one vet visit she had a UTI and then suddenly she was throwing up everywhere and then I got to do subcutaneous fluids for a week or two to see if it helped. And then that turned into subcutaneous fluids for the rest of life (which ended up being another year and a half.) Just reading about the subcutaneous method and ways to streamline that led me to researching and reading more about everything. Then there was how they can have acid reflux or how setting the dishes and water bowl higher than on the floor is helpful (I ended up using a cake stand for her water it was just the right height for her) or even that there are other treatments and alternative medicines. And what foods are good. and what the BUN and Creatinine levels actually mean. It's all in there. I found it an invaluable supplement to the multitude of vet visits, because sometimes some vets don't always tell you the whole story. Based on this info, I ended up finding a new vet soon after her CKD diagnosis who was more in tune with getting her better and helping her feel the best she could at every step. The first vet didn't think people could do subcutaneous fluids at home (it sucks massively in the beginning for everyone involved, but after that it is not as horrible especially if you get the thinner needles), but you can do it. This book helped me decide to just buy the IV pole, it is worth it to be able to go where kitty is comfy to do subq. and that you can buy the subq fluids in bulk at stores nearby for WAY less than at the vet.Thank you to Ms. FItzsimons for sharing her wealth of knowledge.The book is large and thick, maybe about the same size as a ream of printer paper.

All of this information can be found online by Helen but I had to show my thanks somehow for her educating me, and giving me extra moments with my beloved Little King. This book should be handed out to all cat owners at the time of their adoption or welcoming. When my cat was first diagnosed I wasn't aware it was a chronic disease with no cure. None of that was explained to me. When he got better I just figured it was a misdiagnosis until years later it resurfaced. In my research and discovery of Tanya's Guide I discovered I could have changed many things in his life in the years that passed that would have prolonged his life further. Find a vet who will work with you, values your input and realizes that for some these are our children. My vet refused to prescribe Lactated Ringers Solution instead of Saline with the comment it doesn't matter. I eventually got my lactated ringers and enjoyed my baby until he passed on in my arms one evening at the age of 15.

First of all, Thank you and God Bless Helen Fitzsimons for writing this book. It is well worth the money and heres why. She doesn't just talk about Chronic Kidney Disease. She talks about many different diseases that are associated with kidney disease. My cat has Hyperthyoridism, Congestive Heart failure and it effects his kidneys, hence he has kidney failure. She tells you what the numbers mean from your cats test result. She talks about many medications, what they do and how it effects your particular cat. After hearing from my vet the test results of my cat, I can reference it later in this book and get a good understanding. OR when the vet talks about a procedure, I can reference it as well, then ask the right questions. She mentions many, if not, almost all of the cat foods on the market and shares the different levels of protein etc. She talks about natural remendies. She shows many illustrations of "how to" when her cats were ill. She explains why a cat may have a certain reaction and what to watch or ask for. She explains what vets will do and will not be comfortable doing with your cat. She talks also about how to say goodbye to your beloved friend, when may be the best time, or when not to give up.She put this information all together in a really easy to read format. She refers to both US and UK information, websites, food,and everything. This is useful to me as I have lived in both countries. If this doesn't sell you the book, I don't know what will. There is so much more information than just for Chronic Kidney Disease. Now my old cat is 17 years and 8 months, I can say this book has helped me in so many ways. I bought one for myself and one as a gift. I will keep this book for future kitties I own. Well worth the money.

I fear that the title may mislead potential buyers into thinking that this is yet another "lightweight" self-help book. In actual fact, the "Tanya" of the title was the author's beloved cat & the book is quite the most comprehensive, informed work of reference on the subject that one could wish for.The research which the author has undertaken is vast & well-authenticated, whilst her presentation makes it easily comprehensible to owners who have little veterinary knowledge. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is an essential for any cat-owner, whether they have already experienced living with a cat with chronic kidney disease or whether this is something which they will inevitably experience in the future, if they continue to share their life with feline companions.The knowledge imparted in this book enables the owner to ask pertinent questions of their veterinary practitioner, explore all available options & care for their cat long after they might have otherwise given up hope. Possible treatments, palliative care, progression of the disease & diets (both U.S. & U.K.) are all covered in very extensive detail, & in an empathetic, but definitely unsentimental & unbiased way.My heartfelt thanks to the author, Helen Fitzsimons, for a book which should be on every cat-owners shelf. It is, quite literally, a life-saver!

A huge book full of very useful information for those of us with a beloved cat suffering from kidney disease. It's been of tremendous help to me. I highly recommend it.

When I was told by my Vet that my 2 bengal cats had onset of kidney disease I panicked, until I discovered this book.I have already tried, with the approval of my Vet, some of the treatments described in the book and they all work. I would call this book the kidney disease bible. Well done Helen!

Excellent resource and a great source of reference.