Kidney disease

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Erin Lewis and Boops

Erin Lewis and Boops

Member Since 2015
Well, we were dealt a major blow yesterday after being lethargic and cranky- a kidney rescreen showed a BUN level of 52. Creatinine was still normal, but I was told it will rise too if the BUN doesn't get under control. We started on sub-q fluids yesterday and am looking into supplements. Vet recommended Azodyl. I have also seen the Aventi and Kidney Support Gold. Anyone have advice? Also was disturbed that she said he will be a complicated diabetic to manage and we may need to start looking at quality of life! I don't understand because he is a happy boy (with the exception of yesterday). He was rolling on the floor, purring, eating all his food this morning. Am I missing something?
 
BUN can be elevated for other reasons besides kidney disease (dehydration, high protein diet are most common) interesting that with normal CREA the vet diagnoses kidney disease. Creatinine is more of an overall kidney health indicator, the urine specific grav is also on conjunction with other kidney values.
The good thing is that even though that BUN is high, it is not crazy high. Fluids should help and you could easily have years before it progresses with some management.
 
Cranky and lethargic are symptoms of dehydration as well and that only BUN is elevated would tend to lend credibility that this was his problem especially since with hydration he was a happy camper again. In humans dehydration can cause headache, being lethargic too.... One of the issues with the Friskies Special Diet being discontinued is that several of the varieties were low in phosphorus which, if he really does have kidney issues, you need. It was a good compromise food, especially when a cat only had stage 1 and stage 2 kidney disease plus diabetes. And cheaper than most. I know that there are some here, myself included, looking for an inexpensive alternative (there are alternatives but they cost a lot more).
 
Melanie and Smokey said:
BUN can be elevated for other reasons besides kidney disease (dehydration, high protein diet are most common) interesting that with normal CREA the vet diagnoses kidney disease. Creatinine is more of an overall kidney health indicator, the urine specific grav is also on conjunction with other kidney values.
The good thing is that even though that BUN is high, it is not crazy high. Fluids should help and you could easily have years before it progresses with some management.
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That is the same thing with Tiger's diagnosis of early stage 2 reanal insufficiency. Bun was 41 and Creatinine was 1.6. That was the only test result that came back as being out of range.

She is still not eating and going back to the vet tomorrow to see if they can figure out what is wrong. With the exception of not eating or drinking, she is still behaving normally. Keep your fingers and paws crossed that it is nothing serious.
 
Lisa and Witn (GA) said:
That is the same thing with Tiger's diagnosis of early stage 2 reanal insufficiency. Bun was 41 and Creatinine was 1.6. That was the only test result that came back as being out of range.

She is still not eating and going back to the vet tomorrow to see if they can figure out what is wrong. With the exception of not eating or drinking, she is still behaving normally. Keep your fingers and paws crossed that it is nothing serious.
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You need to get a syringe and feed your cat that way or they could go into liver failure (I lost a diabetic cat that way in 1998 because no one told me). There is a yahoo group called something like feline assisted feeding. I just cut the end off of a large syringe (using a feeding one can get clogged as the opening isn't all that big), mix pate food with water a bit to thin it and then shoot food in the cat's mouth at an angle.
 
Erin Lewis and Boops said:
What are some good alternative foods? I bought some of the Kidney Support Gold supplement also.
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Well looking at all the food lists that are out there the canned Friskies foods that are lower in phosphorus (that a cat with kidney issues needs, those are the %'s listed, prescription food is around .4-.6%)) and high in protein, low in carbs are, besides the special diet:

Classic Pate Beef & Chicken Entree (1.1%)

Meaty Bits Chicken Dinner In Gravy (0.6%)

Classic Pate Ocean Whitefish Dinner (higher at 1.5% but that is still lower overall)

Classic Pate Turkey & Giblets Dinner (o.8%)
 
Lisa and Witn (GA) said:
That is the same thing with Tiger's diagnosis of early stage 2 reanal insufficiency. Bun was 41 and Creatinine was 1.6. That was the only test result that came back as being out of range.

She is still not eating and going back to the vet tomorrow to see if they can figure out what is wrong. With the exception of not eating or drinking, she is still behaving normally. Keep your fingers and paws crossed that it is nothing serious.
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I agree with kidsandliz. You need to force feed and get fluids in if she's not eating and drinking. Unflavored pedialyte is a good fluid to prevent dehydration.
 
My cat has Chronic Renal Failure. I'm not to sure how your vet arrived at that diagnosis with a single elevated BUN result and a normal Creatinine. Typically, both are elevated and it is customary to wait until there is a series of tests indicating a steady increase in BUN and Creatinine before a diagnosis of kidney disease is made.
The three possible causes of an elevated BUN while Creatinine is normal are:
1. Dehydraytion
2. Gasto-intestinal bleeding
3. High protein diet
it can also be the result of DKA.

My suggestion would be to monitor hydration, check for ketones, and lower the protein intake a little but not dramatically. For instance, if the food you are currently feeding is 50% protein look for one that is 40% protein instead. I would not feed a protein restricted diet as you could end up with a very sick kitty due to loss of muscle mass. If phosphorus and potassium are in the normal range don't worry too much about low phosphorus foods. If at some point it proves to be kidney disease, you can use a phosphorus binder.

Here is a link to a website that has a wealth of information about kidney disease. This link will take you to the page that discusses elevated BUN. http://www.felinecrf.org/diagnosis_blood_chemistry.htm#bun
 
Cat Ma said:
I agree with kidsandliz. You need to force feed and get fluids in if she's not eating and drinking. Unflavored pedialyte is a good fluid to prevent dehydration.
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I have been force feeding her watered down food and giving her IV fluids. She had xrays done yesterday and they did not find anything. The good thing is she has not lost any more weight. She is going to have an ultrasound done this week. She also needs a dental. They want to do the ultrasound first since they heard a slight heart murmur and concerned about putting her under anesthesia
 
Erin, diabetes and kidney issues can definitely be managed. A lot of us have kitties here that have both conditions. You just need to make sure you are feeding a low phosphorus, high protein, low carb diet which is compatible with both conditions. Weruva canned foods have a lot of low phosphorus foods. Look at their website...they give all the details and it is easy to choose what food is suitable. You need to choose food that are under 250 mg or preferably under 200 mg phosphorus/ 100 grams of food.

I also agree with what Larry and kitties said...follow that up. I freaked out when I first got the diagnosis but soon found out there is plenty that I could do to help"manage" it.
Good luck
 
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