CKD

psychomama

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Feb 4, 2015
Messages
358
Purraise
91
Location
Charlotte , NC
Cat has bun20/ crea1.7, ca 13.3 potassium 6.5. Litter box habits fine. Does this sound like stage 2.
 

ruthm

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Jul 13, 2015
Messages
397
Purraise
95
Location
Washington State USA
Was a urine specific gravity reading taken?  And do you know the phosphorus reading? That provides a good indication of kidney function when the blood values are not that bad.
 

donutte

Professional cat sitter extraordinaire!
Top Cat
Joined
Apr 22, 2015
Messages
5,775
Purraise
2,554
Location
Northern suburbs of Chicago
Did they test SDMA? Do you have the test results with the ranges from the lab? It doesn't sound too horrible just yet going by what I see though - I would say very early stage. Stage 1, maybe early Stage 2. If you could get a urinalysis done that would help considerably. And was this based completely off of one set of blood work? Usually they don't diagnose CKD unless there are multiple sets of blood work with the same results.

How are the kitty's eating habits? Has your vet suggested any treatment or special diet at this point? If the kitty is eating and drinking ok, that is great.

And I second checking out Tanya's site. It's pretty intense in the sheer volume of information, but very helpful.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #6

psychomama

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Feb 4, 2015
Messages
358
Purraise
91
Location
Charlotte , NC
No urine analysis or SMDA at December exam. The vet may do this test in June. He has been eating very well with some pickiness. He seems to have a lot of energy. He has always eaten wet and dry and I am trying to get him to eat more wet with the goal of all wet. I feed him Orijen about 3 T a day and the wet 3 oz a day.
I started probiotics and digestive enzymes , Uniquinol and also extra Omega 3 last month and he seems to have a lot of energy.
At his exam the vet said he may have some renal insufficiency but never mentioned CKD. I just am worried because of the blood work. The vet did not seem very concerned . Just said we would retest in June. He goes for a B 12 shot every month so they see him often . I have been on Tanya's site and others for a lot of very interesting and helpful info. The best message is treat the cat not the numbers. I need to take that to heart.
 

donutte

Professional cat sitter extraordinaire!
Top Cat
Joined
Apr 22, 2015
Messages
5,775
Purraise
2,554
Location
Northern suburbs of Chicago
Indeed, and I completely agree with treating the cat and not the numbers, that's why I asked if he was eating well right now. Numbers are still good to have though. Your numbers that you did provide are very similar to my Sara's, but she was very slightly symptomatic (vomiting foam) she her diet is now 2/3 k/d and 1/3 what everyone else gets. And she gets 1/4 Pepcid every day. Your doctor sounds like he is saying the possibility of future CKD is there. That's very good that he's that attentive to it.

That's how my vet was with Sara. He said a year ago that she probably had some sort of renal insufficiency (just like your doctor said). She also has hyperthyroidism, and treating that often "unmasks" kidney disease, so wasn't surprised that it eventually showed itself, particularly when she got a little hypo-t for a bit after her meds were raised (her T4 had spiked pretty bad). At least with her, I was mentally prepared. Although her diagnosis came right after losing my Lucky to kidney disease, although in his case it was more the "acute" flavor. So, that kinda sucked.

I would not worry too much at this point. You're doing all the right things that you can like trying to switch to more wet. I can't with Sara because she just doesn't eat enough to get the calories she needs. She's a tiny cat and trying to keep her at 7 lbs is difficult! k/d helps because it's higher in calories but just not quite enough.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #8

psychomama

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Feb 4, 2015
Messages
358
Purraise
91
Location
Charlotte , NC
Did Sara have any dental problems? Psycho only has 5 teeth left flors. I read that there may be a connection on Tanya s site. He only weighs 9.3 lbs but he s a small cat with tiny paws. We ve had his teeth cleaned yearly for the past 5 years and each time but 1 he s had teeth pulled.
I also find that he won t eat enough soft food to keep weight on so I give him the Orijen dry as our Doc recommended to improve muscle mass .
For 2 days this past week he would sniff the food and walk away. Then he d finally go back and eat some. I spoke to the vet tech when we went for his B 12 shot she told me to watch him but it resolved and he s back to normal eating.
I love our vet as he has admitted to me that he did not receive a lot of instruction about nutrition in vet school and is researching on his own. He recommended Orijen and told me cats need meat.
 

donutte

Professional cat sitter extraordinaire!
Top Cat
Joined
Apr 22, 2015
Messages
5,775
Purraise
2,554
Location
Northern suburbs of Chicago
I did not take my cats for regular checkups in the past, but with everything I went through with Lucky and Sara (and now with Maple to a lesser extent) they are ALL going for regular check-ups from here on out. They are even insured now.

With that said, Sara does have dental issues, but I only know for sure about the one tooth. She has a tooth resorption. But, due to the many health issues she has (CKD, hyper-t, heart murmur, etc) she can't have a dental. I'm guessing she has other bad teeth also, but that is the only one that is noticeably bad from the outside. She does however have gingivitis.

And with food, I have to give her small meals a few times a day. She won't eat a lot of the food at one time. I have to actually lock her in a bathroom for at least 45 minutes in order for her to finish her k/d because she takes a long time with it. If your kitty's appetite does change though, for more than a day (even if it's just being finicky as opposed to not eating) I'd have him checked out again. Every time she's gotten like that, there was something wrong with her.
 
Last edited:
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #10

psychomama

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Feb 4, 2015
Messages
358
Purraise
91
Location
Charlotte , NC
Yep I agree. Good luck with your kitties and thank you for all your input. Keep in touch.
 
Top