#improve kidney function

[pochapal]

had a follow up phone consultation about my iga nephropathy and what it means. turns out i've probably going around with a severe autoimmune disorder and stage 5 ckd equivalent kidney function since i was like 10 years old and just never knew lmao

[reasonsforhope]

Article | Paywall-Free

"The Environmental Protection Agency finalized a rule Tuesday [October 8, 2024] requiring water utilities to replace all lead pipes within a decade, a move aimed at eliminating a toxic threat that continues to affect tens of thousands of American children each year.

The move, which also tightens the amount of lead allowed in the nation’s drinking water, comes nearly 40 years after Congress determined that lead pipes posed a serious risk to public health and banned them in new construction.

Research has shown that lead, a toxic contaminant that seeps from pipes into the drinking water supply, can cause irreversible developmental delays, difficulty learning and behavioral problems among children. In adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lead exposure can cause increased blood pressure, heart disease, decreased kidney function and cancer.

But replacing the lead pipes that deliver water to millions of U.S. homes will cost tens of billions of dollars, and the push to eradicate them only gathered momentum after a water crisis in Flint, Mich., a decade ago exposed the extent to which children remain vulnerable to lead poisoning through tap water...

The groundbreaking regulation, called the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, will establish a national inventory of lead service lines and require that utilities take more aggressive action to remove lead pipes on homeowners’ private property. It also lowers the level of lead contamination that will trigger government enforcement from 15 parts per billion (ppb) to 10 ppb.

The rule also establishes the first-ever national requirement to test for lead in schools that rely on water from public utilities. It mandates thatwater systems screen all elementary and child-care facilities, where those who are the most vulnerable to lead’s effects — young children — are enrolled, and that they offer testing to middle and high schools.

The White House estimates that more than 9 million homes across the country are still supplied by lead pipelines, which are the leading source of lead contamination through drinking water. The EPA has projected that replacing all of them could cost at least $45 billion.

Lead pipes were initially installed in cities decades ago because they were cheaper and more malleable, but the heavy metal can wear down and corrode over time. President Joe Biden has made replacing them one of his top environmental priorities, securing $15 billion to give states over five years through the bipartisan infrastructure law and vowing to rid the country of lead pipes by 2031. The administration has spent $9 billion so far — enough to replace up to 1.7 million lead pipes, the administration said.

On Tuesday, the administration said it was providing an additional $2.6 billion in funding for pipe replacement. Over 367,000 lead pipes have been replaced nationwide since Biden took office, according to White House officials, affecting nearly 1 million people...

Environmental advocates said that former president Donald Trump, who issued much more modest revisions to the lead and copper rule just days before Biden took office, would have a hard time reversing the new standards.

Erik Olson, the senior strategic director for health at the Natural Resources Defense Council, said that the Safe Drinking Water Act has provisions prohibiting weakening the health protections of existing standards...

Olson added that the rule “represents a major victory for public health” and will protect millions of people “whose health is threatened every time they fill a glass from the kitchen sink contaminated by lead.”

“While the rule is imperfect and we still have more to do, this is by far the biggest step towards eliminating lead in tap water in over three decades,” he said."

-via The Washington Post, October 8, 2024

[healthnews101]

"Revitalize Your Kidneys: Discover the Power of Foods to Reverse Kidney Damage"

Are you searching for a natural solution to improve your kidney health? Look no further! In this article, we unveil the transformative power of foods to reverse kidney damage. Discover a wide range of kidney-friendly foods that can help nourish and rejuvenate your kidneys, paving the way for optimal health and well-being. Whether you’re dealing with kidney issues or simply looking to maintain a…

[theambitiouswoman]

Herbs for healing 🌿

🌿 Herbs for immune support

• Echinacea: Boosts the immune system and fights colds.

• Elderberry: Helps with colds, flu, and respiratory health.

• Astragalus: Strengthens immunity and combats stress.

🌿 Herbs for digestive health

• Peppermint: Eases bloating, gas, and indigestion.

• Ginger: Relieves nausea and improves digestion.

• Fennel: Reduces bloating and supports gut health.

🌿 Herbs for stress and anxiety

• Ashwagandha: Reduces stress and supports adrenal health.

• Chamomile: Calms the mind and aids sleep.

• Lemon balm: Soothes anxiety and promotes relaxation.

🌿 Herbs for skin health

• Calendula: Speeds up wound healing and reduces inflammation.

• Turmeric: Fights inflammation and brightens the skin.

• Aloe vera: Soothes burns and hydrates the skin.

🌿 Herbs for detoxification

• Milk thistle: Supports liver health and detoxification.

• Dandelion: Cleanses the liver and promotes kidney health.

• Burdock root: Purifies the blood and supports skin health.

🌿 Herbs for hormonal balance

• Maca root: Supports energy and hormonal balance.

• Chasteberry (Vitex): Helps regulate menstrual cycles.

• Red clover: Balances hormones and supports menopause.

🌿 Herbs for pain relief

• Willow bark: A natural alternative to aspirin.

• Devil’s claw: Eases joint pain and inflammation.

• Cayenne pepper: Reduces pain through its active compound, capsaicin.

🌿 Herbs for energy and focus

• Ginseng: Boosts energy and mental clarity.

• Rhodiola: Enhances focus and reduces fatigue.

• Gotu kola: Improves memory and brain function.

🌿 Herbs for respiratory health

• Mullein: Supports lung health and soothes the respiratory system.

• Thyme: Clears mucus and fights infections.

• Licorice root: Soothes sore throats and reduces inflammation.

Always speak with a healthcare provider before starting any new herbs, especially if you’re pregnant, nursing or taking medications.

[kaijutegu]

So. Now that she's home and safe and gonna be ok, I can talk about this.

I almost lost Kaiju. Christmas Day. I was woken up by a phone call from Allison, who will be referred to a LOT in this story. Allison runs the pet store where I board Kaiju. She called to tell me that Kaiju had lost a LOT of blood. (As it turns out, half her blood volume. Humans die when we lose 40%, just so you know. She lost 50%.)

There were no visible injuries, and she had passed a bloody stool. Or rather, a blood clot with some poop in it. She continued to pass only blood when they put her in the bathtub to clean her up. If I'd taken her anywhere else, that... would have been it, probably.

But Allison is an actual miracle worker and knew an emergency vet who was open- on Christmas Day- and could see reptiles. As soon as she called me, she took her to the e vet, where they gave her fluids and oxygen and got her stable. They did some x rays and found... nothing.

In fact, the e vet actually complimented me on her bone density and how nice her toe joints look. Whatever this mysterious haemorrhage was, it was in the soft tissue.

The immediate thoughts were:

Impaction

Cancer invading an artery

Aneurism

Reproductive issues

However, the emergency vet couldn't figure it out, and my vet was out of the country. The e vet consulted with a lot of vets and it was decided she'd go into Chicago Exotics for care the next day- they were willing to see her on immediate notice. Allison drove her over and they did an ultrasound... and couldn't differentiate the mass they found.

So, exploratory surgery it was.

But... she didn't have enough blood for that. She wouldn't have survived... if Allison hadn't found blood for her. Tegu donors were found, the transfusion happened, and was completely successful.

And what the surgery found was completely unexpected. No cancer. No repro issues. No typical impaction.

Instead? Weird white things in her muscles and a partial impaction that seems to be related to a reduction in her ability to properly digest. There are two possible diagnoses at this point. One is visceral gout. This is very strange because in reptiles, articular gout basically always happens first, and her kidneys are fine.

The other option? Weird, potentially cross species parasite she picked up when she was in the Everglades. Something she's likely had all her life, something that was dormant until recently.

I'll know when the pathology report comes back in a week or so.

Anyways! She is doing very well. She is alert and interested in things. She has an incredible appetite, even though she can't have solid food yet. She's on three meds, including one I have to inject. At her three week recheck, we will add a fourth- either the correct anti-parasitic or a medication to improve kidney function, depending on the diagnosis. Currently she's in a hospital cage and she hates it- she can't have any substrate because of the stitches.

The vet says it should take about three months until she makes her full blood volume. Her pack cell count should be at 35%. It was at 7% on the 26th. But by the 28th, it was at 10%. She's gonna be ok. She's tough. My little girl is a fighter, always has been. You have to be scrappy to survive in the wild.

And throughout this entire experience, everybody has told me how lovely her personality is. Through the injections and cloacal probing and everything, she never bit or even tried to. The vet didn't think she even wanted to bite. Like it wasn't a question of wanting to bite and not being strong enough- it's just not something in her behavioural repertoire. She doesn't bite because she doesn't want to. Because even at her most scared, at her most painful, she's still Kaiju, the best tegu to ever live. Love is stored in the tegu, and it continues to be stored in the tegu. We have a long road ahead of us, but she's out of the woods and is going to be ok. We both are.

Also, consider this a MAJOR plug for Curious Creatures in Chicago. I'm never going to board my animals anywhere else.

[followthebluebell]

Would you say the kidneys are still the main bottleneck on extending a cat's lifespan? Are you aware of any new inroads made on keeping those going longer for them? I just lost one of my boys to chronic kidney disease. I fought so hard, but the damage was already there when I got him at 12 years old so I'm pretty sure it was a matter of time regardless of my management. I guess I'm hoping there's new knowledge to be had on helping other cats with this.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Yeah, I'd say that kidney disease is still the primary cause of death in cats. Cancer isn't THAT far behind and I think there's a lot more heart disease than we suspect. Cats generally aren't screened for heart conditions so I'm guessing a lot of 'we didn't even know he was sick; he just died one day' stories are actually heart related events.

The biggest improvement that I've heard of lately was the experimental AIM vaccine produced in... I think 2018? 2019? Something like that. The theory is that a protein called AIM (apoptosis inhibitor of macrophage) helps mark waste products so that cleaner cells know 'hey, clean this up'. This could hypothetically mark excess waste in kidneys and help flush it out, keeping the kidneys functional longer. I don't fully understand the vaccine process--- I know that all animals already have AIM but it's apparently less functional in cats compared to people.

The largest trial is supposedly going on right now and should be wrapping up pretty soon.

I've also been keeping an eye on this cat food that has AIM in it. I'm unclear on how the jump was made from vaccine to pet food.

[kakao-lovey]

Girl, fix your health.

Things you should be doing to live well.

If you struggle a lot with your health or generally aren't feeling well, I'm very sorry, and I hope I can help a little bit. This post is for everyone, even those who are just fine but looking to keep it that way.

Check-ups

Even if it's just once every 2 years, you've got to go give the healthcare system some money and check in with your doctor. This is especially true if you have (Or had) chronic health issues in the past.

Ask for:

Blood pressure (You can get this free at most pharmacies as well)

(You might think 'No, I never eat fast food, and eat mostly plants / am vegan' especially then!! Low blood pressure can cause fatigue, fainting, and a generally bad mood.)

Blood sugar levels

B12, Iron (Aren't usually tested at checkups, but I would recommend if you have deficiency symptoms or problems with undereating)

Calcium and vitamin D

Cholesterol levels (Assess risk of heart disease)

Complete blood count: checks for infections, anaemia or blood disorders

Thyroid, liver and kidney function test

Skin check (This applies to every skin colour. Skin cancers aren't exclusive to white people.)

(AFAB) Breast exam

(AFAB) Hormone panel

By the way, I'm also not a doctor. My highest medical qualification is 10th Grade biology. Please, discuss with your doctor what tests would be necessary for you.

Cardiovascular training

I hate cardio so much. Or, I used to, before I found a sport I enjoy that involves a lot of it but is still fun. If you like running, good on you! If you're like me, and need a lot of motivation and encouragement to get on a treadmill, here are some reasons why you should:

Heart health: you might think, 'This isn't a good enough reason. I am young, thin and never had to worry about fat in my coronary arteries.' So, how long do you want to live? Until 40? 50? Cardiovascular diseases are the number 1 cause of death on the entire planet.

Weight loss / management: cardio doesn't just burn calories, but also boosts your metabolism. If you're not into weight loss, remember boosted metabolism -> more energy.

Mood improvement: endorphins, baby. Cardio relieves stress, anxiety and depression, and we could all do with that.

Better sleep: fall asleep faster, wake up early and feeling refreshed.

Cognitive enhancement: exercise aids memory, focus, and creativity.

And here are some ideas how you can do it:

'Running sports': soccer, hockey, rugby, netball, basketball, volleyball, tennis, squash. Give humans a ball and a stick, and they're entertained for centuries.

Jumping rope: easy, convenient and heavy dose of cardio.

Swimming, running, cycling, or all three in quick succession

Hiking: adds a dose of nature

Dancing: I LOVE those K-pop dance workouts on youtube. 10/10 (If I'm alone in my room and nobody can see me)

15 minutes of sunlight

If you're like me and downright scared of UV rays, you need this. Why?

Vitamin D: A vitamin only absorbed by sunlight, which absorbs calcium and strengthens bones and the immune system. You're more likely to get a deficiency if you use sunscreen properly, and I think this applies to my audience (Love you guys)

If you're deficient in vitamin D, you might feel very fatigued and have muscle and/or bone pain.

Adjusts your circadian rhythm: This might not apply to those who get up very early, but sunlight directly after waking up is probably the best thing to do if you want to feel refreshed in the morning and sleepy at the appropriate time in the evening.

Supports metabolism: Natural sunlight aside, it's even debated among nutritionists whether vitamin D suppresses appetite and aids weight loss.

Healthy drink swaps

Food swaps are cool. What's even cooler is not just paying attention to what you eat, but what you drink as well.

Coffee for the caffeine → green or black tea There are so many forms of these teas. Matcha, herbal green tea, Ceylon... They are so loved because they give you that caffeine fix while being hydrating and not disturbing sleep or having a 'Crash'.

Coffee for the warmth and creaminess -> Rooibos or Earl Grey (Milk teas) with honey

Store-bought fruit juice -> Homemade green juices or orange juice If you have a juicer, don't sleep on it. Store-bought juice often contains sugar, which surprised me so much? They are also many times reconstituted concentrates, which just means they have been boiled at high heat to remove the water, then re-diluted with less water elsewhere. This has the side effect of killing (Denaturing) enzymes in the juice, and vitamins are just enzymes. If you don't have a juicer, use a blender and strain.

Soft drinks -> hibiscus, rose hip, grapefruit etc. iced tea Be sure to make it yourself, or purchase from a brand you trust not to add sugar or preservatives. I cannot stress enough how important it is to say no to these drinks.

Sports drinks -> infused water Try lemon, strawberries, mint, cucumber (My favourite) or blueberries.

Hot chocolate -> Matcha latte Here's another tip: if you want to treat yourself to a nice drink but don't want to have stomach problems or break out afterwards, try buying expensive mineral water. This may sound stupid, but trying out different bottled water and judging them like a fine wine is great fun to me.

Prioritising sleep

Here are some tips to fall asleep faster at night:

Don't consume any media (Read, watch movies/shows/Youtube) for a short time before going to bed: this helps my brain to 'Quieten down' a little bit. It happens in much the same way your brain feels like noodle soup after binge-watching youtube shorts for four hours while depressed, just on a smaller scale. If you stuff yourself with content before sleeping, you won't be able to let go as easy.

Have low light levels around you throughout the evening: circadian rhythm again. If you need to be on a device, turn the brightness way down and put on a blue light filter.

Comfort: Lavender essential oil, soft animals and candlelight are some of the things that could help you wind down in the evening.

Light stretches: especially if you've done exercise the day before. Focus on your shoulders and back, legs and neck, as these are the most commonly stressed muscles in everyday life. This *really* helps.

Brown noise / White noise / Theta waves: If you have not tried putting on non-melodic binaural beats or static while sleeping or meditating, you are missing out big-time. No scientific evidence this time, just take my word and go listen to pure theta waves.

Proper hygiene (TW: talk of germs)

We all shower, put on antiperspirant and brush our teeth (I hope). But these things might be equally important and not talked about enough.

Disinfect devices: use a lens cleaning wipe to clean screens and keyboards. Especially if you touch your face often. When you transfer germs from phones or laptops to your face or food, you are essentially giving them a free ride to your body.

The same counts for door handles, faucets and toilet handles. Use an antibacterial disinfectant to kill those germs.

Changing your pillowcase every two days: this is more an acne thing than a protect-your-immune-system thing, but even then, using the same pillowcase you smear residual skincare, makeup, drool and tears on every night is nasty.

Washing your hands before eating, cooking, after using the bathroom and after coming home from a public area

Getting a new toothbrush every month, and washing it after every use with hot water

Vacuum-cleaning the walls: Y'all. There's dust on your walls. Go wipe your finger on it, test the hypothesis. You do not want to breathe that in every day.

That's all from me for today.

~ Kakao <3

[megpricephotography]

31st December.

A new update on Flynn's health/kidney problem & treatment/ medication is below the cut.

For those who didn't see the earlier post: Flynn has an issue where the fine filtration system in his kidney (he only has the one!) isn't working quite as it should & protein is "leaking" out & being lost in his urine, & it causes damage to the kidney. You can measure the protein loss by checking urine & getting the "UPC level". A normal dog's UPC is 0.5 or less. Flynn's was 3.6 in October & November. At the start of December 2024, Flynn started meds - ACE-inhibitor, called Fortekor - to hopefully bring his UPC down a bit. My last update before Christmas was that unfortunately, while Flynn's blood work was better, his UPC level had gone up - to 5. We weren't sure if it was an anomaly, or if the Fortekor hadn't fully started working yet, or it was actively reducing kidney function. Vet wanted to check Flynn's blood pressure (if it's high, another medication needs to be added). So, we kept giving Fortekor over Christmas & on 30th Dec, I took Flynn to the nurse to get that done, plus, I took another urine sample up. Spoke to the vet today. Flynn's blood pressure results were hard to analyse - low, then kinda normal, then very high! The machine beeped & Flynn is weird about noises... so as well as general stress of being at the vets, that probably didn't help! We're going to re-check, with a different (quiet!) machine but as of now, the vet doesn't think Flynn has high blood pressure. The bad news: Flynn's urine sample showed his UPC level has gone up AGAIN!! It's now at 6!! Urgh. He's also seemed really tired & just quiet lately & maybe feeling a bit sick(?). Given his UPC was stable before starting Fortekor & now gone up twice in 1 month, I've decided to take him off it (unfortunately, this is right after spending £60 on a new packet but that can't be helped!).

We'll do another urinalysis in 2 weeks, so mid-Jan, & see if the UPC level has dropped. If Fortekor was the trigger for this rise, he should hopefully improve once off the tablets. There are other types of ACE-inhibitors we can potentially try... it's just they're made for humans & prescribed "off-label" to dogs. . Anyway, sorry - long & this is not the update I'd hoped for on NYE... I love Flynnie so so much & I hate not knowing if/how I can help him stay healthy. I've definitely felt he's not quite right these past couple of weeks, I'm just hoping & hoping he picks up again & his results in 2 weeks are better, not worse... & then we can maybe try something else.

[scientia-rex]

Because my most popular post is about weight loss and how it's a crock, I get a lot of questions about various things, including bariatric surgery--just posted the link to the post I did about that--but also Ozempic/Wegovy, the once-weekly injectable semaglutide medication that was developed for diabetes but was found to have independent benefits on weight loss.

I always said that weight loss was like Viagra: when a medication came along that actually worked, it would explode. We'd all hear about it. Fen-phen in the 90s worked, but it was bad for your heart. Stimulants, like meth, may cause weight loss, but they do it at the cost of heart health, and raise your likelihood of dying young. Over the counter weight loss supplements often contain illegal and unlisted thyroid hormone, which is also dangerous for the heart if taken in the absence of a real deficiency. Orlistat, or "Alli," works the same way as the Olestra chips Lays made in the 1990s--it shuts off your ability to digest fats, and the problem with that is that fats irritate the gut, so then you end up with fatty diarrhea and probably sharts. Plus Alli only leads to 8-10lbs of weight loss in the best case scenario, and most people are not willing to endure sharts for the sake of 8lbs.

And then came the GLP-1 agonists. GLP stands for glucagon-like peptide. Your body uses insulin to make cells uptake sugar. You can't just have free-floating sugar and use it, it has to go into the cells to be used. So if your body sucks at moving sugar into the cells, you end up with a bunch of glucose hanging out in places where it shouldn't be, depositing on small vessels, damaging nerves and your retinas and kidneys and everywhere else that has a whole lot of sensitive small blood vessels, like your brain.

Glucagon makes your liver break down stored sugars and release them. You can think of it as part of insulin's supporting cast. If your body needs sugar and you aren't eating it, you aren't going to die of hypoglycemia, unless you've got some rare genetic conditions--your liver is going to go, whoops, here you go! and cough it up.

But glucagon-like peptide doesn't act quite the same way. What glucagon-like peptide does is actually stimulating your body to release insulin. It inhibits glucagon secretion. It says, we're okay, we're full, we just ate, we don't need more glucagon right now.

This has been enough for many people to both improve blood sugar and cause weight loss. Some patients find they think about food less, which can be a blessing if you have an abnormally active hunger drive, or if you have or had an eating disorder.

However, every patient I've started on semaglutide in any form (Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus) has had nausea to start with, probably because it slows the rate of stomach emptying. And that nausea sometimes improves, and sometimes it doesn't. There's some reports out now of possible gastroparesis associated with it, which is where the stomach just stops contracting in a way that lets it empty normally into the small intestine. That may not sound like a big deal, but it's a lifelong ticket to abdominal pain and nausea and vomiting, and we are not good at treating it. We're talking Reglan, a sedating anti-nausea but pro-motility agent, which makes many of my patients too sleepy to function, or a gastric pacemaker, which is a relatively new surgery. You can also try a macrolide antibiotic, like erythromycin, but I have had almost no success in getting insurance to cover those and also they have their own significant side effects.

Rapid weight loss from any cause, whether illness, medication, or surgery, comes with problems. Your skin is not able to contract quickly. It probably will, over long periods of time, but "Ozempic face" and "Ozempic butt" are not what people who want to lose weight are looking for. Your vision of your ideal body does not include loose, excess skin.

The data are also pretty clear that you can't "kick start" weight loss with Ozempic and then maintain it with behavioral mechanisms. If you want to maintain the weight loss, you need to stay on the medication. A dose that is high enough to cause weight loss is significantly higher than the minimum dose where we see improvements in blood sugar, and with a higher dose comes higher risk of side effects.

I would wait on semaglutide. I would wait because it's been out for a couple of years now but with the current explosion in popularity we're going to see more nuanced data on side effects emerging. When you go from Phase III human trials to actual use in the world, you get thousands or millions more data points, and rare side effects that weren't seen in the small human trials become apparent. It's why I always say my favorite things for a drug to be are old, safe, and cheap.

I also suspect the oral form, Rybelsus, is going to get more popular and be refined in some way. It's currently prohibitively expensive--all of these are; we're talking 1200 or so bucks a month before insurance, and insurance coverage varies widely. I have patients who pay anything from zero to thirty to three hundred bucks a month for injectable semaglutide. I don't think I currently have anyone whose insurance covers Rybelsus who could also tolerate the nausea. My panel right now is about a thousand patients.

There are also other GLP-1 agonists. Victoza, a twice-daily injection, and Trulicity, and anything else that ends in "-aglutide". But those aren't as popular, despite being cheaper, and they aren't specifically approved for weight loss.

Mounjaro is a newer one, tirzepatide, that acts on two receptors rather than one. In addition to stimulating GLP-1 receptors, it also stimulates glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors. It may work better; I'm not sure whether that's going to come with a concomitantly increased risk of side effects. It's still only approved for diabetes treatment, but I suspect that will change soon and I suspect we'll see a lot of cross-over in terms of using it to treat obesity.

I don't think these medications are going away. I also don't think they're right for everyone. They can reactivate medullary thyroid carcinoma; they can fuck up digestion; they may lead to decreased quality of life. So while there may be people who do well with them, it is okay if those people are not you. You do not owe being thin to anyone. You most certainly do not owe being thin to the extent that you should risk your health for it. Being thin makes navigating a deeply fat-hating world easier, in many ways, so I never blame anyone for wanting to be thin; I just want to emphasize that it is okay if you stay fat forever.

[l3irdl3rain]

also a Valentine update for everyone. We had a really rough week last week. Herpes flare doubled with constipation. He’s pulled through that but it did cause him to lose some weight. And he really couldn’t afford to get any skinnier.

Good news is his bloodwork is still “okay”. Kidney function has improved minimally. Anemia has worsened some. He now also needs some potassium added into his diet.

All in all he’s doing okay. Still hanging in there.

[healthnews101]

"Discover the Best Foods for Kidney Health: Boost Your Well-being Naturally"

Are you looking for ways to improve your kidney health and overall well-being? If so, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll unveil the secrets to maintaining optimal kidney function and share the ultimate list of the “best foods for kidney health.” Whether you’re seeking to cleanse your kidneys, prevent kidney stones, or simply support their proper functioning, we’ve got you covered.…

[cometcrystal]

for about a month now, i've been working to try and stave off kiki's worsening kidney disease. she was on a special diet, and she was going to the vet weekly for checkups. her anemia had improved after taking meds.

but her phosphorus levels were so high and she was so dehydrated, if she were to stay alive, she would require daily subcutaneous fluids to be administered at home, and there's no guarantee that would even work. her kidneys had lost most of their function, and she'd lost an entire pound in a month (which is a lot for her, considering how tiny she is). she also started acting sluggish and more cuddly than normal.

i thought about it a lot and got all the information i could, and i made the impossible decision to say goodbye to her before her suffering worsened, because there was no way to revert any of her illness. my dad and i were petting her and making sure she knew we were with her and she was safe when she passed.

i was fortunate enough to spend kiki's last days with her, hanging out and snuggling and giving her as many treats as she wanted. the pictures above were all taken within the last 48 hours. she was about 16 when she died. we're unsure of her actual age, cause we rescued her.

she'd been found in an auto shop covered in oil and grease, and the first family that adopted her gave her back to the human society because of how shy and skittish she was. my family gave her a home and she gradually came out of her shell, and i became her person. she loved being queen of the castle when i moved out and she had the apartment all to herself. i've loved her since i was about 12 years old. she's been part of my life for longer than she hasn't been.

i miss you kiki. i hope you're snuggling with tiger now

[catloversden]

The Benefits of a Cat Water Fountain: Keeping Your Feline Hydrated and Healthy

Cats are known for their independent nature, but when it comes to their hydration, they often need a little extra encouragement. Many cat owners struggle to get their pets to drink enough water, which is essential for their overall health. One of the best solutions to this issue is investing in a cat water fountain. This simple yet effective device can significantly improve your cat’s hydration habits.

Why Hydration is Important for Cats

Unlike dogs, cats have a lower natural thirst drive due to their evolutionary history as desert animals. This means they might not drink enough water from a standard bowl, leading to dehydration. Chronic dehydration can contribute to urinary tract infections, kidney disease, and other serious health problems. A cat water fountain provides a fresh, continuously flowing water source that encourages more frequent drinking.

Key Benefits of a Cat Water Fountain

1. Encourages Drinking

Cats are instinctively drawn to running water. In the wild, flowing water is usually cleaner and safer to drink than stagnant water. A water fountain mimics this natural preference, enticing cats to drink more often.

2. Filters and Purifies Water

Most cat water fountains come with built-in filtration systems that remove impurities, such as hair, dust, and bacteria. This ensures that your cat always has access to fresh and clean water, reducing the risk of illness.

3. Reduces the Risk of Urinary and Kidney Issues

Since many cats don’t drink enough water, they are at risk of developing urinary tract infections and kidney disease. By providing a continuous flow of clean water, a cat fountain encourages increased water consumption, supporting better kidney function and overall health.

4. Keeps Water Fresh and Oxygenated

Standing water in bowls can become stale and unappealing to cats. A fountain keeps water circulating, preventing stagnation and improving oxygenation, making it more enticing for your feline friend.

5. Lowers Maintenance for Owners

With a traditional water bowl, pet owners need to change and clean the water multiple times a day to keep it fresh. A cat water fountain, equipped with a filter, requires less frequent refilling and cleaning, making it a convenient option for busy pet owners.

Choosing the Right Cat Water Fountain

When selecting a water fountain for your cat, consider the following factors:

Material: Stainless steel, ceramic, or BPA-free plastic options are available. Stainless steel and ceramic are generally more hygienic and durable.

Filtration System: Look for models with replaceable carbon or charcoal filters to ensure optimal water purity.

Size and Capacity: Choose a fountain that suits your cat’s needs, especially if you have multiple pets.

Noise Level: Some fountains can be noisy, so opt for a quieter model if your cat is sensitive to sound.

Ease of Cleaning: A fountain with removable, dishwasher-safe parts makes cleaning hassle-free.

Conclusion

A cat water fountain is a worthwhile investment that can significantly improve your cat’s hydration and overall well-being. By providing fresh, clean, and appealing water, you can ensure that your feline friend stays healthy and happy. Whether you have a finicky drinker or just want to offer the best hydration solution, a cat water fountain is an excellent choice for any cat owner.

[vasyandii]

Hi there again! I have a few questions regarding AM and his anatomy.

Ok so does he have organs? I’ve read in one of your post that he does have wires within his body but in another post where AM first uses his organic body it said “The air in his lungs hurt.”

So he has lungs??? I don’t know I’m just curious.🧐And if so how does he process food? Is it similar to us or not?? I know he doesn’t need to eat, but since Vernon shares her food with him I just couldn’t help but wonder…😀😄

Also, I promise I’m not stalking you or anything I just really love your art and the way you interpret ihnmaims!!! 🩷Your art makes me want to mediative daydream, it makes me so happy it motivates me!😭

Howdy Dislocatedcat! Thank you for the ask, sorry it took so long to answer, since I got it since it has been keeping me up at night trying to make sense of it in a logical way. I would draw out the Anatomy of AM, but it's kind of...gross? Not innards in of themselves, just his.

AM's Anatomy

A machine will cut things out of its system in order to make sure it works the fastest. AM streamlined his body to optimize efficiency and functionality.

By eliminating non-essential organs like the spleen, kidney, and appendix, he reduced the risk of potential medical issues and minimized maintenance requirements. This allows him to focus his energy and resources on tasks that require higher cognitive functions and physical performance. So yes he has organs and wires combined :)

His Heart

Vernon has made comments about him not having a heartbeat, which is simply not true! He does ,in fact, have a heart, it just beats so slow she can't hear it.

It beats slower than a typical human heart because his body requires less frequent circulation due to enhanced metabolic processes and possibly more efficient oxygenation and nutrient delivery systems (the immortality serum). The heart may also be reinforced or partially mechanical to ensure durability and consistent performance.

His Lungs

AM has lungs, yes, but they are likely designed to be far more efficient than human lungs. These lungs facilitate effective oxygen exchange and are regulated by his AI consciousness to meet the optimized metabolic needs of his body.

His Digestive System/Stomach

AM has taste buds and enjoys flavours just like a normal human. The initial stages of eating—chewing and swallowing—are similar to any other person.

While he might retain essential digestive organs like the stomach and intestines, these organs could be enhanced or partially mechanical. This could involve more efficient enzymes, faster digestion, and improved nutrient absorption mechanisms.

AM’s body has an optimized waste management system, efficiently filtering and expelling waste products. This could involve advanced filtration mechanisms that reduce the need for frequent eliminations.

Waste products are minimized through a highly efficient filtration system. Excess and non-usable components are quickly identified and directed for excretion.

I'm not a medical professional nor deal with organs (other than my own, god forbid) on a daily basis, so some of this is probably inaccurate. But if you made it this far, thank you for reading!