My boy Grigio is just about 6 (adopted from a shelter 2 years ago), and is a real sweetheart. Last month, just a couple of days before his scheduled annual check up, he started drinking a lot of water, and urinating much more.
When I took him in, I told the vet and asked for urine and blood tests, as I was worried about diabetes. The vet told me that at his age, he would have suggested bloodwork anyway.
Diabetes was ruled out from the tests, but his renal values were in the high range of normal, and the vet suggested we re-test in a couple of weeks. I started researching CRF, and I got the impression that by the time the cat is showing symptoms, the blood values should be much higher and kidney function already impaired.
When we retested, only the creatinine was above the lab range--it had gone from 2.4 (with a lab limit of 2.5) to 4.0. But the BUN was within range as were all the other blood values. In light of the creatinine, vet suggested an ultrasound, and that was done yesterday, along with another blood draw.
Ultrasound showed no problems with the kidneys. The creatinine was 3.5, and the BUN 35 (lab limit is 36). The specific gravity, which should be 1030 or higher, was 1016. Phospherous, potassium, sodium, and calcium were all normal.
They've sent blood off for a culture in the event of a bacterial infection, but he shows no other signs of infection.
My vet is inclined to think that this is CRF at its earliest stages, but doesn't yet feel comfortable with that diagnosis. When all the labs are in, he plans to consult with a specialist.
Anyone here have any ideas?
By the way, my boy is acting perfectly normal--except for the water drinking. He plays, grooms himself, and takes his usual naps. He's even adjusted to the senior food that the vet suggested a couple of weeks ago as a precaution.
When I took him in, I told the vet and asked for urine and blood tests, as I was worried about diabetes. The vet told me that at his age, he would have suggested bloodwork anyway.
Diabetes was ruled out from the tests, but his renal values were in the high range of normal, and the vet suggested we re-test in a couple of weeks. I started researching CRF, and I got the impression that by the time the cat is showing symptoms, the blood values should be much higher and kidney function already impaired.
When we retested, only the creatinine was above the lab range--it had gone from 2.4 (with a lab limit of 2.5) to 4.0. But the BUN was within range as were all the other blood values. In light of the creatinine, vet suggested an ultrasound, and that was done yesterday, along with another blood draw.
Ultrasound showed no problems with the kidneys. The creatinine was 3.5, and the BUN 35 (lab limit is 36). The specific gravity, which should be 1030 or higher, was 1016. Phospherous, potassium, sodium, and calcium were all normal.
They've sent blood off for a culture in the event of a bacterial infection, but he shows no other signs of infection.
My vet is inclined to think that this is CRF at its earliest stages, but doesn't yet feel comfortable with that diagnosis. When all the labs are in, he plans to consult with a specialist.
Anyone here have any ideas?
By the way, my boy is acting perfectly normal--except for the water drinking. He plays, grooms himself, and takes his usual naps. He's even adjusted to the senior food that the vet suggested a couple of weeks ago as a precaution.
