11/24 Ripley just diagnosed w/kidney problem

Status
Not open for further replies.
Josie & Ripley (GA)

Josie & Ripley (GA)

Member Since 2012
Two weeks into diabetes treatment (Ripley's doing quite well, good-looking numbers!) and she was just diagnosed with kidney failure/disease.

I'm going to switch her wet food to one with low carbs & low phosphorus. She seems to be going ok behavior-wise; sleeping a lot (nothing new). The other day she was acting very lethargic (different than just sleepy) and seemed cold, despite sleeping next to the heater. So I took her to her vet, her temp was too low; they did a blood & urine test and saw the signs of kidney problems. However, it was mentioned that her glucose level was perfect, so "keep up the good work" (pat on the back).

Vet said fluid treatment isn't necessary yet, but may be in the future.

The last 2 weeks have felt like a roller coaster -- feelings of defeat AND accomplishment. Just trying to keep a positive perspective.

~Josie
 
BIG HUGE HUG Josie and headbutts for Ripley too. I can't help with any questions but I AM good for a hug or two. Just take it day by day, don't let one bad day overshadow the good days. I've learned that if we celebrate each day one at a time, it helps deal with whatever tomorrow may bring. I don't have babies with kidney problems but do have a 'heart' kitty so understand the roller coaster.

Another big hug,
 
Josie

Do you have her test results? If so, I'd like to see them. I've dealt with CKD (chronic kidney disease) in several cats and currently my Gussie who is 16-1/2 and has had CKD for over 2 years. I find that sometimes vets overlook important data from the tests. I'm not saying yours has but many do. Sometimes I think it is because they believe most caregivers will not treat the CKD but it's relatively easy to keep a kitty stable for quite some time if you catch it early.

Although it can be overwhelming, you might want to peruse Tanya's Comprehensive CKD website. Between this website and the yahoo CRF group, I learned all of what I know that has helped me keep my CKD kitties doing well. One caution...the CRF yahoo group is pretty intense and it "can" be a little overwhelming ....it's a very active site with lots of good info. If you join, you might just want to start by receiving the daily digests instead of ALL the emails individually.

I'd be happy to help you interpret the bloodwork results if you post them. :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG:
 
I don't have a copy of her full urinalysis, but know that her USG is 1.016.

I checked out Tanya's site -- very informative. (Also Lisa Pierson's food charts).
 
The vet should always give you a copy of her bloodwork. Did he run it or he's making the diagnosis just based on the USG? I'd be cautious about that. While USG is usually the first indicator of renal disease, I'd want the full picture which means bloodwork.

A USG of 1.016 is pretty dilute urine....I'd really like to see what her renal values are. While ECID, as an example, Gus has been getting fluids for over two years. Fluids will always cause the USG to be lower (in other words, the urine is not as concentrated as it should be). His USG runs about 1.017.
 
Vet called me this am w/results, but the office is technically closed today. I'm hoping to obtain a copy of the full results on Monday. He told me that 1.030 is considered healthy, while 1.008 is "very bad." Ripley's level "isn't ideal, but marginal." I just love his vague vocabulary :?

He also recommended k/d food, which, thanks to the links previously provided, isn't ideal food at all -- just expensive and not-so-great quality.

The USG level was the only data he mentioned to me, but I didn't ask for more info.

Is Gus diabetic, also?
 
Hi Josie, Sorry to hear Ripley has a possible kidney problems, hope the full lab report gives you more clarity on that. I think we all feel the roller coaster effect sometimes, hugs :YMHUG: and headbutts coming your way. Meanwhile switching to low card low phosphorus food makes sense. You are doing a great job managing Ripley's fd and its nice that your vet complimented you for that :-D
 
I'm sorry about Ripley's diagnosis. I hope Marje can help you interpret the test results. She's the best. BTW, Gus is not diabetic. Marje put together a great video about giving subcutaneous fluids, if you ever need to do that.
Liz
 
Marje's Gus is not diabetic. However, there have been any number of cats that are diabetic and who have had kidney disease.

BTW, that 47 today means Ripley's dose should be reduced to 1.0u.
 
Hi, i don't think I've stopped in before. Tess is borderline CKD too. Low USG (about the same as Ripley), and on the edge of the renal blood values. Her phosphorus levels were creeping up and just changing to lower phos food has helped a lot, down a full point in the last year. Apart from the :evil: prescription food, nature's variety Instincts raw are some of the lowest phosphorus cat foods around. I made a SS of the low phos and low carb foods from Dr. Lisa's list and it is on a tab on Tess's SS. Just one page and a lot easier to take shopping.
 
As Sienne indicated, there are some members here whose diabetic kitties have CKD. And as Ann mentioned, it's important to address the phosphorus. Phosphorus levels can increase really fast even if the BUN and creatinine are just high normal. Increased phosphorus levels can make a cat feel really bad. Unfortunately, the emergence range from the lab usually includes kittens and kitten phosphorus levels run higher than adults. But many vets will look at an adult cat with a phosphorus level of 6 and say its in the normal range. And adult cat should be closer to 4.

So it's important to see some of those nu,vets. Ann has had great success in bringing down the phosphorus for Tess using food. Gus is at the point where I have to use a little binder with the food but its always best to try low phosphorus diet first.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top