MonetsMom
Member Since 2013
Hi everyone ...Risé here...within an update on Monet, who was just diagnosed with CKD and hypertension. Picasso was diagnosed CKD about a month ago and now Monet. Thankfully Monet's blood glucose continues to be good!
I want to send a special "Thanks" to Marje for reaching out to me over the past few days and helping me so much with dealing with Monet's diagnosis. She has been a lifesaver ;-)
Also, thanks Ann and Jill for your very valuable low Phos /low carbs /med protein food lists on your babie's SS sheets. I have been looking at those very closely especially for Monet's food requirements.
Okay.... Here is what I know so far about Monet ...sorry for the length:
Monet was at specialist on Monday (Nov 10) for a ultrasound of kidneys, liver, and bladder to determine if he had CKD and anything going on with his liver. All looked good with only slight indication of early CKD. However, vet said this diagnosis was assuming that Monet did not have hypertension.
While at specialist they discovered he had a pretty prominent heart murmur (said a 3 on a scale of 6) so they advised we look at his heart via an echocardiogram. She said this would tell us about function and level of disease and whether or not medication is indicated. The Vet went on to say that Himalayans are predisposed to a condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. She said that if the murmur is due to systemic hypertention then instituting therapy would be necessary.
If cardiac disease is present then treating this maybe indicated as well, then the disease may resolve with appropriate therapy. I keep letting her know that since he is a diabetic Kitty in remission we have to be very careful with meds. I don't know enough to know if what they may end of prescribing is really best so I will definitely post once I know more about his prognosis.
In addition his BP that day was 210 but they knew he was under extreme stress with his belly having to be shaved and everything else they were doing to him. That's why they wanted him back today to try and test him throughout the day. The Vet Said the heart murmur could occur for many reasons. She said it could be primary heart disease or secondary to systemic hypertension. She said Monet might have several reasons to have such hypertension this could be both his noted renal changes and given his high ALT (220). The Free T4 blood work was run and normal so she said this finding would not indicate hyperthyroidism.
Below is a link to Monet's blood work last week: (First one is on Dropbox Second one on Google Drive):
https://www.dropbox.com/s/54wkkzugs47a5 ... 1.txt?dl=0
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B5gjybZ ... cslist_api
This is his report from the specialist visit on Monday for kidney ultrasound:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/fgl62cc106560 ... a.pdf?dl=0
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B5gjybZ ... cslist_api
In addition his regular Vet ordered a fPL blood test to rule out pancreatitis. It came back within normal range so that was ruled out.
Monet was at specialist again all day Wednesday having multiple BP readings throughout the day and mainly to get a heart ultrasound. When I had him there on Monday for a ultrasound of kidneys, liver, and bladder they discovered he had a pretty prominent heart murmur (said a 3 on a scale of 6) so they advised we look at his heart via an echocardiogram. She said this would tell us about function and level of disease and whether or not medication is indicated. The Vet went on to say that Himalayans are predisposed to a condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. She said that if the murmur is due to systemic hypertention then instituting therapy would be necessary.
If cardiac disease is present then treating this maybe indicated as well, then the disease may resolve with appropriate therapy. I keep letting her know that since he is a diabetic Kitty in remission we have to be very careful with meds. I don't know enough to know if what they may end of prescribing is really best so I will definitely post once I know more about his prognosis.
Update from visit with specialist on Wednesday:
The Vet does feel that Monet has hypertension based on his BP being an avg of 250 while he was there . She said some readings were in the 300s and 280s range. She wants to err on the safe side and start him 2nite on Amlodipine 2.5 with 1/4 of a tablet 1 time per day. She wants us to bring him back in on Monday for a BP check while we stay in the room with him like you suggested. I would like your opinion on this drug and the recommended dosage please.
OK....for his heart .. I think we got good news. Does not feel like he has HCM which I was very relieved to hear.
This is the quote directly from the Vet:
Monet II was seen today for a follow up for hypertension and heart murmur. Today an echocardiogram was
performed and no major disease was noted. There was very mild thickening of the heart walls and a small amount
of leakage from one valve. No medications would be suggested for the heart at the time. Monet continues to be
hypertensive in the hospital. While it we suspect he is much lower at home he is still highly than expected. It is
better to err on the side of caution and treat this change in Monet. Continued hypertension can be very bad for
both the kidneys and the heart. We will start a medication called Amlodipine which is a calcium channel blocker.
We would like to recheck his blood pressure on Monday. We may add a second medication at that time.
The Vet said she talked to a nutritionist that she really trusted. She said when she told him she had a Kitty with CKD AND DIABETES he said "well good luck with that" . That was all I needed to hear ! She also told me that as the CKD progresses that he said we would probably need to put Monet on a prescription renal diet even though high in carbs. He said the CKD would top the diabetes as far as treating and Diabetise would be secondary. I think pretty much what he was saying is if Monet has to go back on insulin then that is better that not focusing on the CKD by putting him on a renal diet eventually. I do not agree with this but I do not know enough yet to argue my case. Actually the food I already have Monet eating are some of the ones in Jill/Alex and Ann/Tess's food list with low Phosphoris , low carbs and med protein. So, unless I learn differently, I am sticking to foods on their lists for now.
Here is the link to the report from today First one is on Dropbox Second one on Google Drive:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/sz8gkghaaeab3 ... 7.pdf?dl=0
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B5gjybZ ... cslist_api
Since last week I have spent $1300 on tests for Monet. I just want to make sure all the right stuff is being done for him and we are not being taken advantage of. Just 3 weeks ago we had just spent about $800 getting Picasso tested and diagnosed with CKD....yikes ! They are both my babies and I will go in debt if I have to to make them better...just want to make sure I am spending the money wisely.
Sorry for the long message, just wanted to tell you everything I knew at this point. Any suggestions from you would be greatly appreciated! Having a kitty that has CKD, hypertension and Diabetes is definitely going to be challenging.
Risé
I want to send a special "Thanks" to Marje for reaching out to me over the past few days and helping me so much with dealing with Monet's diagnosis. She has been a lifesaver ;-)
Also, thanks Ann and Jill for your very valuable low Phos /low carbs /med protein food lists on your babie's SS sheets. I have been looking at those very closely especially for Monet's food requirements.
Okay.... Here is what I know so far about Monet ...sorry for the length:
Monet was at specialist on Monday (Nov 10) for a ultrasound of kidneys, liver, and bladder to determine if he had CKD and anything going on with his liver. All looked good with only slight indication of early CKD. However, vet said this diagnosis was assuming that Monet did not have hypertension.
While at specialist they discovered he had a pretty prominent heart murmur (said a 3 on a scale of 6) so they advised we look at his heart via an echocardiogram. She said this would tell us about function and level of disease and whether or not medication is indicated. The Vet went on to say that Himalayans are predisposed to a condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. She said that if the murmur is due to systemic hypertention then instituting therapy would be necessary.
If cardiac disease is present then treating this maybe indicated as well, then the disease may resolve with appropriate therapy. I keep letting her know that since he is a diabetic Kitty in remission we have to be very careful with meds. I don't know enough to know if what they may end of prescribing is really best so I will definitely post once I know more about his prognosis.
In addition his BP that day was 210 but they knew he was under extreme stress with his belly having to be shaved and everything else they were doing to him. That's why they wanted him back today to try and test him throughout the day. The Vet Said the heart murmur could occur for many reasons. She said it could be primary heart disease or secondary to systemic hypertension. She said Monet might have several reasons to have such hypertension this could be both his noted renal changes and given his high ALT (220). The Free T4 blood work was run and normal so she said this finding would not indicate hyperthyroidism.
Below is a link to Monet's blood work last week: (First one is on Dropbox Second one on Google Drive):
https://www.dropbox.com/s/54wkkzugs47a5 ... 1.txt?dl=0
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B5gjybZ ... cslist_api
This is his report from the specialist visit on Monday for kidney ultrasound:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/fgl62cc106560 ... a.pdf?dl=0
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B5gjybZ ... cslist_api
In addition his regular Vet ordered a fPL blood test to rule out pancreatitis. It came back within normal range so that was ruled out.
Monet was at specialist again all day Wednesday having multiple BP readings throughout the day and mainly to get a heart ultrasound. When I had him there on Monday for a ultrasound of kidneys, liver, and bladder they discovered he had a pretty prominent heart murmur (said a 3 on a scale of 6) so they advised we look at his heart via an echocardiogram. She said this would tell us about function and level of disease and whether or not medication is indicated. The Vet went on to say that Himalayans are predisposed to a condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. She said that if the murmur is due to systemic hypertention then instituting therapy would be necessary.
If cardiac disease is present then treating this maybe indicated as well, then the disease may resolve with appropriate therapy. I keep letting her know that since he is a diabetic Kitty in remission we have to be very careful with meds. I don't know enough to know if what they may end of prescribing is really best so I will definitely post once I know more about his prognosis.
Update from visit with specialist on Wednesday:
The Vet does feel that Monet has hypertension based on his BP being an avg of 250 while he was there . She said some readings were in the 300s and 280s range. She wants to err on the safe side and start him 2nite on Amlodipine 2.5 with 1/4 of a tablet 1 time per day. She wants us to bring him back in on Monday for a BP check while we stay in the room with him like you suggested. I would like your opinion on this drug and the recommended dosage please.
OK....for his heart .. I think we got good news. Does not feel like he has HCM which I was very relieved to hear.
This is the quote directly from the Vet:
Monet II was seen today for a follow up for hypertension and heart murmur. Today an echocardiogram was
performed and no major disease was noted. There was very mild thickening of the heart walls and a small amount
of leakage from one valve. No medications would be suggested for the heart at the time. Monet continues to be
hypertensive in the hospital. While it we suspect he is much lower at home he is still highly than expected. It is
better to err on the side of caution and treat this change in Monet. Continued hypertension can be very bad for
both the kidneys and the heart. We will start a medication called Amlodipine which is a calcium channel blocker.
We would like to recheck his blood pressure on Monday. We may add a second medication at that time.
The Vet said she talked to a nutritionist that she really trusted. She said when she told him she had a Kitty with CKD AND DIABETES he said "well good luck with that" . That was all I needed to hear ! She also told me that as the CKD progresses that he said we would probably need to put Monet on a prescription renal diet even though high in carbs. He said the CKD would top the diabetes as far as treating and Diabetise would be secondary. I think pretty much what he was saying is if Monet has to go back on insulin then that is better that not focusing on the CKD by putting him on a renal diet eventually. I do not agree with this but I do not know enough yet to argue my case. Actually the food I already have Monet eating are some of the ones in Jill/Alex and Ann/Tess's food list with low Phosphoris , low carbs and med protein. So, unless I learn differently, I am sticking to foods on their lists for now.
Here is the link to the report from today First one is on Dropbox Second one on Google Drive:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/sz8gkghaaeab3 ... 7.pdf?dl=0
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B5gjybZ ... cslist_api
Since last week I have spent $1300 on tests for Monet. I just want to make sure all the right stuff is being done for him and we are not being taken advantage of. Just 3 weeks ago we had just spent about $800 getting Picasso tested and diagnosed with CKD....yikes ! They are both my babies and I will go in debt if I have to to make them better...just want to make sure I am spending the money wisely.
Sorry for the long message, just wanted to tell you everything I knew at this point. Any suggestions from you would be greatly appreciated! Having a kitty that has CKD, hypertension and Diabetes is definitely going to be challenging.
Risé
