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- Mar 29, 2021
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Hello - Would like some input from the CRF group. Took my Jengo in for blood-work on April 12th... only 8 weeks from previous blood-work because he was getting weaker. Unfortunately 3 test results were high: Bun = 70.8 Creatinine = 3.7 and Phosphorus = 8.1 putting him in Stage 3 now. Very depressed about this as I thought he was doing okay... just slowly slipping. I'd like some comments on how bad these numbers are and what to expect in the near future.
His current medications:
⦁ 1/2 Zofran / Ondansetron - AM & PM
⦁ 1/4 Prednisolone - PM every other day (reduced from 1/2 twice a day months ago)
⦁ Porus One - daily
⦁ 1/4 Mirtazapine every other day
⦁ 75 ml sub-Q - daily
⦁ sprinkle of Phos-Bind on several meals - daily (Was this a mistake??)
⦁ Miralax as needed if constipated
⦁ 1/4 Cerenia as needed - maybe once a month if he vomits
Apparently I wasn't giving him enough Phos-Bind to keep his phosphorus level down. The instructions on the container were confusing. After studying it again with the vet's help, it looks like I should be giving him about 400 mg a day. It says 100 mg per kg of weight and he is 8.7 # or 3.95 kg.... so 100 x 4 = 400 mg a day. Correct? I thought that seemed like a lot so I just sprinkled some on each of his 4 Fancy Feast meals. (Half of his meals are low-phosphorus cat foods.) I assume his kidney numbers got worse because his phosphorus was so high, right? So I caused this change by not asking questions. I was afraid if I put too much Phos-Bind on his food he'd taste it.
His current condition:
He still has an appetite but doesn't eat enough... let's me know when he's hungry. He's pretty thin how at 8.7# and has trouble jumping on and off furniture because he's weak. The vet agreed to try Adequan since he's almost 18 now and surely has arthritis. It might be too little to late since his kidneys are worse. Guess it takes a few weeks to a month to notice if Adequan is working.
After having an echo the 2nd vet said that he likely doesn't have HCM but a bad valve and a murmur. She took him off the Pimobendan. His old vet agreed that he didn't need Pimo. I monitor his breathing while resting with an app. It's always between 26 and 30. He sleeps more but still tries to play a little. Wish he wasn't so weak because I have to block the stairs off... I'm afraid he'll fall and get hurt.
I'm devastated about the test results, but not ready to give up on him. He doesn't seem to be in pain but likely has nausea that the Ondansetron isn't addressing. Have tried Pepcid but didn't notice any relief. Thinking about trying Slipper Elm.
I welcome any comments and suggestions.
Thanks, Barb
His current medications:
⦁ 1/2 Zofran / Ondansetron - AM & PM
⦁ 1/4 Prednisolone - PM every other day (reduced from 1/2 twice a day months ago)
⦁ Porus One - daily
⦁ 1/4 Mirtazapine every other day
⦁ 75 ml sub-Q - daily
⦁ sprinkle of Phos-Bind on several meals - daily (Was this a mistake??)
⦁ Miralax as needed if constipated
⦁ 1/4 Cerenia as needed - maybe once a month if he vomits
Apparently I wasn't giving him enough Phos-Bind to keep his phosphorus level down. The instructions on the container were confusing. After studying it again with the vet's help, it looks like I should be giving him about 400 mg a day. It says 100 mg per kg of weight and he is 8.7 # or 3.95 kg.... so 100 x 4 = 400 mg a day. Correct? I thought that seemed like a lot so I just sprinkled some on each of his 4 Fancy Feast meals. (Half of his meals are low-phosphorus cat foods.) I assume his kidney numbers got worse because his phosphorus was so high, right? So I caused this change by not asking questions. I was afraid if I put too much Phos-Bind on his food he'd taste it.
His current condition:
He still has an appetite but doesn't eat enough... let's me know when he's hungry. He's pretty thin how at 8.7# and has trouble jumping on and off furniture because he's weak. The vet agreed to try Adequan since he's almost 18 now and surely has arthritis. It might be too little to late since his kidneys are worse. Guess it takes a few weeks to a month to notice if Adequan is working.
After having an echo the 2nd vet said that he likely doesn't have HCM but a bad valve and a murmur. She took him off the Pimobendan. His old vet agreed that he didn't need Pimo. I monitor his breathing while resting with an app. It's always between 26 and 30. He sleeps more but still tries to play a little. Wish he wasn't so weak because I have to block the stairs off... I'm afraid he'll fall and get hurt.
I'm devastated about the test results, but not ready to give up on him. He doesn't seem to be in pain but likely has nausea that the Ondansetron isn't addressing. Have tried Pepcid but didn't notice any relief. Thinking about trying Slipper Elm.
I welcome any comments and suggestions.
Thanks, Barb