Kidney Failure linked to Feline “Greenies”?

Our question this week was:

My 12 year old cat, Holly was hospitalized for kidney failure after becoming suddenly ill with lethargy, loss of appetite, losing control of her bowels and bladder, (she peed and pooped in her favorite sleeping spot on my bed.)

The only new item to her diet was Feline “Greenies” which are dental treats that she just loved. Have you heard of these treats being involved with any other cases of kidney failure?

She has been eating Purina One’s Special Care Adult Cat for Sensitive Systems and Purina Pro Plan canned food for quite a while so I don’t think that they are in any way responsible for her dramatic illness.

Holly was released from the hospital on Baytril, Azodil, Cyproheptadine and 150 ml of lactated Ringers solution 1 X day and is doing much better.

Thanks for your help.

Michel Morrissey \~ Bristol, PA

Answer

Hi – thanks for your email. I’m very sorry to hear about your cat developing kidney failure. An article that might be helpful to you is Acute Kidney Failure in Cats and Chronic Kidney Failure in Cats.

Many cats will respond well to intravenous or subcutaneous fluids. The articles discuss the treatment in detail.

I have not heard anything about Feline Greenies being involved in this food and treat recall.

Best of luck!

Dr. Debra