12/04 Butters AMPS 254/ +3 232/

[Butters & Lyla]

Yesterday

My girl had a rough evening.

The good news: the ultrasound report was completed and sent late yesterday. Her vet called me last night to discuss. He also consults with an IM specialist. There are no signs of IBD or Triaditis.

He diagnosed Butters with CKD Stage 2. I kind of know that this is early and may not progress for a while. He had also officially diagnosed her with chronic pancreatitis last week. No surprise with that dx, though.

She also had a seizure last night. It lasted over a minute, so not super long (it felt long). It was not due to hypoglycemia. She has had the occasional one that I've seen but not for over two years. I sent a note to her vet. It was tough to watch. After I tried to just sit with her and cuddle her. It took a while before she seemed to really come back around and recover from it.

I'm exhausted. Overwhelmed with these latest developments. She hasn't been all that happy lately, but is still eating well, pooping well, and enjoying my lap (not much purring). I'm trying so, so hard to do right by her. I hope my best is going to be good enough. This is something else I'm going to have to learn about, and how to balance the DM with CKD and Pancreatitis.
And thank you to all of you who have helped and continue to help us so, so much. Especially @tiffmaxee and @Tomlin and @Red & Rover (GA)


Have a great day.

 

[tiffmaxee]

Stage 2 is very early and many cats don’t advance for years. You will be better off trying to find a lower phosphorus food. Maybe even make your own raw with EZ Complete? What has been said in the past about the seizures? Was a cause ever determined?

 

[katy and mo (GA)]

At least with the CKD it's still in the early stages. Hopefully with the help of the vet it can be managed. In terms of the chronic pancreatitis, like you said it's not surprising, but you are doing so well with this even though she is up and down. She couldn't ask for a better Mama!

Fingers crossed the vet can get to the bottom of why she had a seizure. That must have been so so scary for you! I'm so glad Butters is still eating and pooping well. I'm sure the purring will come back in no time. It sounds like the vet is really onto it and Butters is in good hands.

Please give her lots of cuddles and snuggles from me. You're doing great. Always here if you need to talk

 

[Katherine&Ruby]

I can't imagine, Lyla, that you could be doing anything better for Butters. Hang in there. We're rooting for both of you.

 

[JaxBenji]

((Lyla)) ((Butters)) Sending lots of hugs and peace

When you go back to your SS, you may want to enter your insulin dose for this morning

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

Morning Lyla, Jesus hasn't this kitty been thru enough. I just feel so awful for both of you. That's what my poor Perry had CKD and seizures.Nothing else

He stayed in Stage 2 for many many years , it might have been 2011 when he was
diagnosed with it. Then 10/6 I had to let him go.

He started to have many seizures and yes they are awful to watch.
I would get so weak just watching them. His lasted about 15 seconds .
A cause was never determined

He had to be put on phenobarbital and then also keppra.
Eventually I was able to lower the doses on those meds a lot
Before passing he didn't have one in about 3 years.

I pray for Butters every day, this kitty needs a damn break
I know that @JanetNJ kitty had CKD /diabetes maybe she can give you some
advice about food .

I can't help with the food because Perry did not have diabetes ,just CKD and the
only thing he would eat was the K/D kibble

I joined Tanya's site for CKD and they were very helpful and I would say
very knowledgeable.
My prayers are with you ♥


http://felinecrf.org/just_diagnosed.htm, just in case you want to read, then you can join if you want to. Maybe someone there had a kitty with CKD, Diabetes and Pancreatitis

 

[tiffmaxee]

Did you stop the gabepentin at ant time since this all started?

 

[Butters & Lyla]

Stage 2 is very early and many cats don’t advance for years. You will be better off trying to find a lower phosphorus food. Maybe even make your own raw with EZ Complete? What has been said in the past about the seizures? Was a cause ever determined?

Not much was said about the seizures, just that some cats have them, they don't know why, and she is one of those cats. They weren't frequent enough or long enough in duration to warrant medication according to the vet. Then they stopped altogether as far as I knew, until last night.

I had been starting to make my own raw with EZ Complete, and Wendy had recommended a Canadian brand that has lower P, also. Butters will eat it but so far still needs some canned food mixed in or she won't.

 

[Butters & Lyla]

Did you stop the gabepentin at ant time since this all started?

No. I've never stopped it. Did you read something about gabapentin and seizures?

ETA: oh no, it looks like it can be used to treat seizures, if my google search is accurate. She gets 25mg q8.

 

[tiffmaxee]

No. I've never stopped it. Did you read something about gabapentin and seizures?

ETA: oh no, it looks like it can be used to treat seizures, if my google search is accurate. She gets 25mg q8.

It’s not sure it works for seizures according to Wedgewood pharmacy but can cause them if stopped I read. I wonder if since she hasn’t had any in a few years if there is some link. I know nothing about this but was wondering if there could be a medicine connection. That at least would be something easy. It’s something to ask your vet. I bet you never thought to mention this since so long ago. I would have forgotten for sure.

 

[JanetNJ]

Yesterday

My girl had a rough evening.

The good news: the ultrasound report was completed and sent late yesterday. Her vet called me last night to discuss. He also consults with an IM specialist. There are no signs of IBD or Triaditis.

He diagnosed Butters with CKD Stage 2. I kind of know that this is early and may not progress for a while. He had also officially diagnosed her with chronic pancreatitis last week. No surprise with that dx, though.

She also had a seizure last night. It lasted over a minute, so not super long (it felt long). It was not due to hypoglycemia. She has had the occasional one that I've seen but not for over two years. I sent a note to her vet. It was tough to watch. After I tried to just sit with her and cuddle her. It took a while before she seemed to really come back around and recover from it.

I'm exhausted. Overwhelmed with these latest developments. She hasn't been all that happy lately, but is still eating well, pooping well, and enjoying my lap (not much purring). I'm trying so, so hard to do right by her. I hope my best is going to be good enough. This is something else I'm going to have to learn about, and how to balance the DM with CKD and Pancreatitis.
And thank you to all of you who have helped and continue to help us so, so much. Especially @tiffmaxee and @Tomlin and @Red & Rover (GA)


Have a great day.

Oh no! Does she take anything for seizures? I think some give Gabapentin. Poor kitty.

 

[tiffmaxee]

Not much was said about the seizures, just that some cats have them, they don't know why, and she is one of those cats. They weren't frequent enough or long enough in duration to warrant medication according to the vet. Then they stopped altogether as far as I knew, until last night.

I had been starting to make my own raw with EZ Complete, and Wendy had recommended a Canadian brand that has lower P, also. Butters will eat it but so far still needs some canned food mixed in or she won't.

That’s good if most of it is lower phosphorus. Don’t change that at all.

 

[Pamela & Amethyst]

Lots of love and prayers to both if you

 

[JanetNJ]

My cat has ckd.... Diagnosed 1.5 years ago. She also has hyperthyroidism diagnosed a year ago, and of course the diabetes. Definitely a balancing act when there's multiple things going on.

 

[Sue and Luci]

Oh Lyla I'm sorry to hear there's now another thing added to the list of concerns/ailments for Miss Butters. Darn it...just seems no matter what we do, there's another layer added on.

Sending you both hugs and concern. I wish there was something else I could do or say that would be helpful.

You are a wonderful mama bean to Butters. She knows that you're there for her.

 

[JanetNJ]

My cat has ckd.... Diagnosed 1.5 years ago. She also has hyperthyroidism diagnosed a year ago, and of course the diabetes. Definitely a balancing act when there's multiple things going on.

 

[Colio]

Sorry it's been a rough time - we had a cat (Indy) who lived to be 18 and who had chronic seizures and we managed with clonazepam for years. We dealt with a neurology specialist at the time. It is incredibly stressful when they seize and we got to a point we knew it was coming. Teddy is one of the 3 boys we have now, and he has them very occasionally but nothing like Indy did. I hope they stay intermittent

Hope you get some rest and Butters starts to feel better. It's a lot of news to absorb.

 

[Butters & Lyla]

Oh no! Does she take anything for seizures? I think some give Gabapentin. Poor kitty.

No, she never took anything. They were so long ago. Last night's was a shock. Back in the day, the vet thought they weren't frequent enough to warrant medication. She just happens to be on gabapentin right now for pain management.

My cat has ckd.... Diagnosed 1.5 years ago. She also has hyperthyroidism diagnosed a year ago, and of course the diabetes. Definitely a balancing act when there's multiple things going on.

The balancing act is not easy. I feel like I'm going to have to prioritize. Like, a kidney diet might be at odds with a diabetic diet is the first thing that comes to mind. Maybe not at this stage (2), though.

 

[Butters & Lyla]

It’s not sure it works for seizures according to Wedgewood pharmacy but can cause them if stopped I read. I wonder if since she hasn’t had any in a few years if there is some link. I know nothing about this but was wondering if there could be a medicine connection. That at least would be something easy. It’s something to ask your vet. I bet you never thought to mention this since so long ago. I would have forgotten for sure.

You're right. I didn't think to mention seizures to her vet because they were such a long time ago. It was not even in my mind! Back then, seizures were the only thing I really had to deal with. I always wondered if there was something environmental in that condo that might've been causing them. But they stopped a year before I moved into where I am now.

She has had some gabapentin every day since she was started on it. I wish that was what it was, so I'd at least have a reason. I sent an email to the vet so at least he knows about the seizure.

 

[rawia]

At least you know now what to deal with, Meme has been diagnosed with early stage of CKD but her numbers get better months after months, so it is very good that you caught it early so you can control it.

more hydration and maybe trying a phosphorus binder if Butter does not like changing in food, you will not be able to give her renal food because it is high in carbs and your first goal is to control the diabetes.

do not forget the stress and the medication all this can cause some elevated numbers.

even Meme’s SDMA test came slight high (15) and her BUN and creatinine was slight elevated but i am still thinking that her illness and stress and i fection cause this, months after months her labs gets better and better but still little elevated.

so just continue testing from time to time and see what is going on .

 

[Red & Rover (GA)]

One of mine had seizures. Only a few that I noticed. I would surround him with my arms so that he did not bang into things or fall off the bed. It would take him a few minutes to come round. Then I swear he an expression on his face that was saying: "what the ____ just happened?" Like Butters, not often enough for a vet to even speculate.

I take gabapentin for Restless Leg Syndrome.
From Johns Hopkins regarding RLS:

Alpha-2 delta Drugs
These drugs interact with one of the calcium channel proteins, alpha-2 delta protein. Calcium channels allow the charged calcium ion to move into the nerve cell and are therefore important in activating, deactivating and stabilizing the electrical activity of the nerve cell.​

Your go-to CKD site is commonly referred to here as "Tanya's site." An absolute wealth of knowledge, it is a steep learning curve. I often refer to it when looking up something for a cat here.
https://www.felinecrf.org/
Introductory page: http://felinecrf.org/just_diagnosed.htm

 

[JanetNJ]

Like, a kidney diet might be at odds with a diabetic diet is the first thing that comes to mind. Maybe not at this stage (2), though.

My cat is still at stage 2 for now (thank god)... some of the food selections don't work for both, but I found a lot of the weruva/bff foods are low carb and low phosphorous.

 

[JOJI and Kit]

((((((butterslyla))))))

 

[tiffmaxee]

At this stage a kidney RX food is not suggested. The sam is true of a phosphorus binder unless it is inching up n

 

[Butters & Lyla]

When you go back to your SS, you may want to enter your insulin dose for this morning

Darn it!!! Fixed now.

Morning Lyla, Jesus hasn't this kitty been thru enough. I just feel so awful for both of you. That's what my poor Perry had CKD and seizures.Nothing else

He stayed in Stage 2 for many many years , it might have been 2011 when he was
diagnosed with it. Then 10/6 I had to let him go.

He started to have many seizures and yes they are awful to watch.
I would get so weak just watching them. His lasted about 15 seconds .
A cause was never determined

He had to be put on phenobarbital and then also keppra.
Eventually I was able to lower the doses on those meds a lot
Before passing he didn't have one in about 3 years.

I pray for Butters every day, this kitty needs a damn break
I know that @JanetNJ kitty had CKD /diabetes maybe she can give you some
advice about food .

I can't help with the food because Perry did not have diabetes ,just CKD and the
only thing he would eat was the K/D kibble

I joined Tanya's site for CKD and they were very helpful and I would say
very knowledgeable.
My prayers are with you ♥


http://felinecrf.org/just_diagnosed.htm, just in case you want to read, then you can join if you want to. Maybe someone there had a kitty with CKD, Diabetes and Pancreatitis

Thank you Diane. So much helpful information. Maybe I'll join Tanya's, but I'll definitely read through the site over the next while.
I didn't realize your Perry had CKD and seizures. Poor thing. I estimate that butters last seizure was about three years ago (at least that I've witnessed). Thanks again Diane.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Sorry to hear about the latest development of a seizure. I hope it's one and done.

I feel like I'm going to have to prioritize. Like, a kidney diet might be at odds with a diabetic diet is the first thing that comes to mind. Maybe not at this stage (2), though

Neko ended up CKD stage 3/4, after a couple years at stage 2 - I never changed her diet from the raw other than going to eggshell calcium from bone in the raw. And her IM vet was fine with that. Until she just stopped eating it, but I think that was more to do with the soft tissue growth in her mouth made it difficult to eat. After that she needed finer consistency.

Butters phosphorus numbers look great. I'd stick with what you are doing now for food. With the TC complete, if you are adding egg yolk, I'd sometimes cook up the white and mix it in. A good source of protein.

Good luck with the new dose.

 

[Lisa & Oberon]

Lyla, I'm so sorry to hear about Butters's latest challenges! I had a cat years ago who had seizures (cause unknown). We never figured out what triggered them. There was one time that she got several vaccinations at a vet visit and that evening started having back to back seizures. Rushed her off to the ER and they stopped as soon as we got her in the door (of course). So I could certainly see that all the things she's been going through lately, plus new medications, could have set her off. Fingers crossed that this was a one time thing so you have one less thing to worry about.

 

[carfurby (GA)]

Sending prayers.

 

[Abdullah]

Praying for you and Butters!! Thankfully it's still the early stages of CKD, and as others have said, that it may not progress any further.

I'm really sorry that you and Butters had to experience the seizure. I'm praying that it was the last one and you guys don't have to experience it again. I'm glad to hear that she's been eating well, and hopefully the purrs come back and her pain subsides soon!

Stay strong, you're doing great. I know you're doing your best and Butters is thankful for you. Keep your head up and know that there are better days ahead.

 

[Adrienne & Molly (GA)]

Oh Lyla I'm sorry to hear about Butters. I feel bad that she has seizures. Sending prayers to you and Butters

 

[Tomlin]

FOUR WORDS......
Liquor flavored ice cream !

Anyone who is able to keep composure on a video call with politicians and the public (I don’t even know many who could do THAT!).... all while managing a cat recovering from pancreatitis while watching BG AND managing a seizure all at once is deserving of a cape & super hero status Bad A** Lyla!

I am sorry that both you and Butters aren’t catching a break right now BUT you & she are some STRONG ones & will get through this together!

Here is to an UNeventful and hopefully VERY boring yet relaxing and snuggly weekend for you and Butters !!

 

[Butters & Lyla]

Sorry it's been a rough time - we had a cat (Indy) who lived to be 18 and who had chronic seizures and we managed with clonazepam for years. We dealt with a neurology specialist at the time. It is incredibly stressful when they seize and we got to a point we knew it was coming. Teddy is one of the 3 boys we have now, and he has them very occasionally but nothing like Indy did. I hope they stay intermittent

Thanks for sharing this. I'm glad Indy's were well controlled. I hope Teddy's don't get more frequent. Butters was only having one maybe every 6-8 weeks that I saw, and almost always in the middle of the night. I'd be asleep but the sound would wake me up.

One of mine had seizures. Only a few that I noticed. I would surround him with my arms so that he did not bang into things or fall off the bed. It would take him a few minutes to come round. Then I swear he an expression on his face that was saying:e "what the ____ just happened?" Like Butters, not often enough for a vet to even speculate.

Thank you for all of the info.
I grabbed two pillows and used those and my legs to protect her. She scratched me up so badly the first time she had one, when I used my bare arms to protect her. After that, it has been pillows and clothed limbs only.
I always thought Butters looked hungover after a seizure.

 

[Butters & Lyla]

At least you know now what to deal with, Meme has been diagnosed with early stage of CKD but her numbers get better months after months, so it is very good that you caught it early so you can control it.

more hydration and maybe trying a phosphorus binder if Butter does not like changing in food, you will not be able to give her renal food because it is high in carbs and your first goal is to control the diabetes.

do not forget the stress and the medication all this can cause some elevated numbers.

even Meme’s SDMA test came slight high (15) and her BUN and creatinine was slight elevated but i am still thinking that her illness and stress and i fection cause this, months after months her labs gets better and better but still little elevated.

so just continue testing from time to time and see what is going on .

I'll keep that all in mind and I'm glad Meme's numbers seem to be getting a little better. And yes I am grateful that I know what is going on so hopefully I can slow down progression. Thanks for the suggestions, Rawia.

 

[thebigfuzz]

Liquor drenched ice cream sounds good

Thinking about you guys today

 

[katy and mo (GA)]

It's nice to see Butters out of the pinks I hope she is feeling better

 

[Butters & Lyla]

Sorry to hear about the latest development of a seizure. I hope it's one and done.

Neko ended up CKD stage 3/4, after a couple years at stage 2 - I never changed her diet from the raw other than going to eggshell calcium from bone in the raw. And her IM vet was fine with that. Until she just stopped eating it, but I think that was more to do with the soft tissue growth in her mouth made it difficult to eat. After that she needed finer consistency.

Butters phosphorus numbers look great. I'd stick with what you are doing now for food. With the TC complete, if you are adding egg yolk, I'd sometimes cook up the white and mix it in. A good source of protein.

Good luck with the new dose.

I hope so, too. And thank you for looking at her labs and for the food suggestions. I'm so happy her new vet is open to any and all types of diets. He is off researching what an optimal diet for a cat with DM and CKD might look like. Not in a type of food specific way, but in composition of macro and micro nutrients. But he also supports me continuing with her current food regimen. He also threw his support behind how I've been managing her DM.

FOUR WORDS......
Liquor flavored ice cream !

Anyone who is able to keep composure on a video call with politicians and the public (I don’t even know many who could do THAT!).... all while managing a cat recovering from pancreatitis while watching BG AND managing a seizure all at once is deserving of a cape & super hero status Bad A** Lyla!

I am sorry that both you and Butters aren’t catching a break right now BUT you & she are some STRONG ones & will get through this together!

Here is to an UNeventful and hopefully VERY boring yet relaxing and snuggly weekend for you and Butters !!

I wish I could turn your four words into an actual pint of liquor flavoured ice cream. I needed some time to not be strong and to have a pity party. But I'm moving past that now. I'm trying to stay positive.

Last night won't soon be forgotten. I hate being in the spotlight, but here we are. I actually did feel pretty pleased with myself for protecting her through the seizure while continuing with my presentation. My boss always texts me with feedback after a presentation and last night it was all good, so I guess I hid it well! That skill deserves a special place on my resumé.

 

[katy and mo (GA)]

Last night won't soon be forgotten. I hate being in the spotlight, but here we are. I actually did feel pretty pleased with myself for protecting her through the seizure while continuing with my presentation. My boss always texts me with feedback after a presentation and last night it was all good, so I guess I hid it well! That skill deserves a special place on my resumé.

WHAT THE HECK? YOU WERE PRESENTING AT THE TIME AND KEPT YOUR COOL? That definitely deserves a spot on your resumé for sure! If that isn't multitasking and keeping your cool in a stressful situation then I don't know what is!

 

[tiffmaxee]

You are doing a fabulous job with Butters. Pretty soon this spell too will end and she will settle down. I just know it will.

 

[Butters & Lyla]

WHAT THE HECK? YOU WERE PRESENTING AT THE TIME AND KEPT YOUR COOL?

Yes I really was! Butters' timing is impeccable.

You are doing a fabulous job with Butters. Pretty soon this spell too will end and she will settle down. I just know it will.

Thank you Elise! That really means a lot to me. I couldn't do it alone, though.
I so hope you're right about that.

 

[Lisa & Oberon]

Last night won't soon be forgotten. I hate being in the spotlight, but here we are. I actually did feel pretty pleased with myself for protecting her through the seizure while continuing with my presentation. My boss always texts me with feedback after a presentation and last night it was all good, so I guess I hid it well! That skill deserves a special place on my resumé.

Holy cow! I've given presentations where things went wrong and I had to wing it or smile through the disaster (in my job talk for my current job, my final summary graphic was a big red X thanks to a Mac-PC incompatibility), but never anything like this! Awesome job juggling all of that at the same time!

 

[Bellasmom]

Lyla, I’m sorry to read this, Bella is in stage 2, has been for a while and Andy in stage 3. I will be praying that Butters feels better soon and your a great kitty momma