Test results on cats fed diet high in protein

[F+V]

Our cats had urinalysis and blood test done recently but some values were slightly elevated which made the vet worry about possible kidney disease.
But my understanding is that cats fed raw meat have higher than the normal range values for Total Protein, Albumin, BUN, creatinine, and total cholesterol, especially right after eating?

Bun to creatinine ratio, specific gravity, and ALP values were all good. If they have kidney problems, don't ALP and specific gravity show abnormality?

Vet definitely isn't familiar with animals fed raw meat, so these slightly elevated numbers stood out to him I suspect.

If the vet doesn't offer the SDMA test, I will find someone who does to make sure their kidney is fine. Failing that, x-ray and ultrasound come next.

Also their Red Cell Volume, # of Red Blood Cells and Hemoglobin values were elevated and the vet thinks they are dehydrated but I think that's because they were stressed and in fear.

 

[Furballsmom]

the vet thinks they are dehydrated but I think that's because they were stressed and in fear.

I can't answer about the rest, but this may help;

Tips To Increase Your Cat’s Water Intake - TheCatSite

 

[F+V]

I can't answer about the rest, but this may help;

Tips To Increase Your Cat’s Water Intake - TheCatSite

I feed raw meal, so they should be dehydrated. I also give them bottled water.
And recently started giving them Purina Pro Plan Hydra Care, which in my opinion is overpriced for something that's 97% water....

I found a clinic that does SDMA test and booked in for x-ray and ultrasound for next week.

 

[F+V]

Found a relevant topic with insightful comments:
Does elevated Creatinine mean kidney disease?

 

[Furballsmom]

A note about the hydra care, it is not necessarily advantageous for healthy cats. As I understood things, it was specifically formulated to be used for cats that have diagnosed FLUTD, by decreasing urine specific gravity and osmolality. Purina does a lousy job of describing that their intent was for this to be used in certain situations, and not for every cat.

You might be better served to consider the tips provided in that article above, along with tall water glasses et al.

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

I feed raw and my cats come in at the top end of normal, sometimes just a hair over that, but only for BUN and creatinine. I've never noticed any of the others raised. Doesn't mean they weren't but I typically zero in on anything out of the "norm". But then again, I don't usually schedule their visits right after a meal, so they've had plenty of time to digest their breakfasts.

If the Urine specific gravity was good, that's a good sign, as I think that's a very good marker, better even than SDMA. I've had raised SDMA showing up with a UTI! Thankfully it went down again when the UTI cleared up.

 

[lisahe]

Our cats have tested high for creatinine, I believe it was, just before having dental surgery. The vet used another test (I don't know what it was) and found that they were fine. She was familiar with the situation. (She's a cat specialist!) This can apparently happen when cats are fed a high-protein diet: Although I was feeding our cats raw food at the time, they were also eating daily homemade cooked and canned meals.

 

[F+V]

A note about the hydra care, it is not necessarily advantageous for healthy cats. As I understood things, it was specifically formulated to be used for cats that have diagnosed FLUTD, by decreasing urine specific gravity and osmolality. Purina does a lousy job of describing that their intent was for this to be used in certain situations, and not for every cat.

You might be better served to consider the tips provided in that article above, along with tall water glasses et al.

Oh no.... so I should stop giving them Hydra Care then since it's shown to decrease specific gravity. One of them was previously diagnosed with FLUTD but since then his urinalysis has been fine. I just thought it was also good for dehydrated and cats with kidney disease, which my cats aren't diagnosed with yet and hopefully their elevated values are because of their high protein diet. Thanks for letting me know!

 

[Furballsmom]

so I should stop giving them Hydra Care then since it's shown to decrease specific gravity.

You might talk to your vet about the pros and cons - I just ended up not using it after I found that information, even though my picky angel Poppycat actually liked it.

 

[F+V]

You might talk to your vet about the pros and cons - I just ended up not using it after I found that information, even though my picky angel Poppycat actually liked it.

The problematic thing is that the vets don't seem to know much about the product in question or feline nutrition. Not many vets are versed in feline nutrition/species appropriate diet. Still many vets today advise cat parents to feed prescription dry kibble to cats with CKD because that's what they studied in vet schools. They even tell you to feed kibble for their dental health....

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

The problematic thing is that the vets don't seem to know much about the product in question or feline nutrition. Not many vets are versed in feline nutrition/species appropriate diet. Still many vets today advise cat parents to feed prescription dry kibble to cats with CKD because that's what they studied in vet schools. They even tell you to feed kibble for their dental health....

Unfortunately, this is so true

 

[F+V]

I had her blood and urine tests done again at another vet and everything was fine. If anyone finds themselves in a similar situation as mine, get your cat retested for everything incl. SDMA and ultrasound because elevated values could be transient.

Vet said:
- If CREA is consistently elevated for more than 3 months, then you should start worrying about possible CKD.
- BUN shoots up for about two hours after a meal
- Slightly elevated CREA could be due to dehydration, re-test to confirm
- PH7 is fine as long as no crystal or stone, bacteria, blood is present
- Pro Plan Hydra Care can be fed to healthy cats. The product aids lowering USG, but that's because more liquid intake will dilute urine. Same thing happens with water.

 

[Furballsmom]

Pro Plan Hydra Care can be fed to healthy cats. The product aids lowering USG, but that's because more liquid intake will dilute urine. Same thing happens with water.

I would have thought there's more to it than a comparison to just drinking more water. This is a formula that acts specifically, aside from and in addition to water.

 

[F+V]

I would have thought there's more to it than a comparison to just drinking more water. This is a formula that acts specifically, aside from and in addition to water.

It's basically just flavored water as I suspected.
Cats with renal disease and FLUTD can of course benefit from it by being hydrated, but this product is by no means prescription. It's 97% water and the flavor entices cats to drink. Purina Hydra Care Review (for cats)

 

[Furballsmom]

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree, because there's more to it than the product being just flavored water.

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

I had her blood and urine tests done again at another vet and everything was fine. If anyone finds themselves in a similar situation as mine, get your cat retested for everything incl. SDMA and ultrasound because elevated values could be transient.

I'm glad everything came back normal with the re-test. One less worry in life!

 

[F+V]

If anyone is interested in Hydra Care, this site also breaks down each ingredient and explain what they do. Hydra Care – Ron Hines' Vetspace – 2nd Chance – The Animal Health Website