6/9 Doodle - 1ps = 275, 2ps = 55

[Michelle and Doodle]

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=16734

1ps = 275, 2ps = 55 + 3 = 86

Michelle I think it's time to supplement magnesium now. I have no idea why Doodle's magnesium would be low, but not 'holding' potassium that's being supplemented is a sign of hypomagnesemia. I would speak to your vet about it and start supplementing today. You can use mag oxide or mag sulfate. Start low and increase because it can act as a laxative if you give too much.

Did the ultrasonographer get a good look at the adrenal glands? ANd did your vet ever send out for aldosterone levels?

I called my vet earlier and she said she didn't think supplementing magnesium without knowing his level was a good idea. She also said they don't test for magnesium - and that she wasn't sure if she could get that from Idexx. (?? seriously?) - - but that she would find out.
She said if we supplement without knowing the level first we won't know if it had any significance - I guess that makes sense.

The vet who did the ultrasound said the adrenal glands looked normal to her. I am supposed to be getting the results on CD at my next visit.
We have NOT checked serum aldosteronism levels because my vet is frankly not sure how. I told her it was done at Michigan State and she just said , "hmm... I wonder how that's done... " Then shesuggested doing the ultrasound first. Which of course we have now done.

We've been going in every 2 weeks for bloodwork for the last 4 months with no progress to speak of.
I'm starting to feel a bit panicked... my sweet little Doodle is depending on me -- and I don't know what to do.

 

[WCF and Meowzi]

I called my vet earlier and she said she didn't think supplementing magnesium without knowing his level was a good idea. She also said they don't test for magnesium - and that she wasn't sure if she could get that from Idexx. (?? seriously?) - - but that she would find out.

*headdesk* echoing your "seriously?!?" the labs test for it. we don't use idexx, but antech does it, and i don't see any reason why idexx doesn't. ask linda - she has scans of bear's and emily's labs and i think they're from idexx? here, check cali's bloodwork; magnesium is below glucose and calcium on the first page, and is just above sodium and potassium.

We have NOT checked serum aldosteronism levels because my vet is frankly not sure how. I told her it was done at Michigan State and she just said , "hmm... I wonder how that's done... "

*headdesk* *headdesk* *headdesk* she could just call up MSU's labs and ask to talk to the technicians or the endocrinologist. i've called and talked to a tech there. and then our vet techs have called them to confirm how to prep the blood draw.

i'm omw out of tbp now, i'll see if i can find the test link for you later tonight.

 

[Jen and Oreo (GA)]

((((Michelle)))) Yep, time to start making your vet listen :smile: I know you are doing the best for Doodle-bug!

 

[Michelle and Doodle]

Well, I just blew a fuse and said what needed to be said to one of my vets. (There are two of them that we work with at the clinic where we go.) I'm supposed to hear back from them BOTH tomorrow morning.
They will do what needs to be done - there is no "or else"...
They are just going to fracking figure out how to check his magnesium! and if they need me to call Michigan State to direct them in how to do whatever else needs to be done... then that is what is going to happen.

I'm done stressing and worrying and hoping someone will help me.
They are GOING to help me.

This is insane.
We go every 2 weeks for bloodwork - then there's BP readings and cystos and ultrasounds and mumbling and fumbling...
and we know nothing except that Doodle is in danger of dying because his potassium is so damn low!
I've spent over $4200 just in the last 2 months... repeating the same tests.

We're done with that.

 

[Jen and Oreo (GA)]

You go girl! After all, you are paying them...

 

[Linda and Bear Man]

Magnesium:

http://www.animalhealth.msu.edu/Bin/Cat ... st&Id=1850

Aldosterone:

http://www.animalhealth.msu.edu/Bin/Cat ... st&Id=1699

(Plasma renin test may be a bit more difficult to access)

http://www.vin.com/proceedings/Proceedi ... &O=Generic

"The occurrence of primary hyperaldosteronism may be suspected based upon a low plasma potassium concentration, high arterial blood pressure and/or indications for target organ failure. A specific diagnosis can be made by measuring plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) and determining the ratio between these two, i.e., the aldosterone/renin ratio (ARR). Recently, in cats the reference values of the aldosterone concentration (PAC) and renin activity in plasma (PRA) have been determined and published (Javadi et al. 2004). In case of primary hyperaldosteronism, diagnostic imaging of the adrenals is required to differentiate between a unilateral aldosterone producing adenoma or adenocarcinoma (APA) and bilateral adrenal hyperplasia or idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA) (Rijnberk et al. 2001; Ash et al., 2005; Javadi et al., 2005."

Also (more on diagnosis):

http://www.vetstreamfelis.com/ACI/March ... s60674.asp

Sorry I am posting and running right now!

 

[Michelle and Doodle]

+5 = 75

ya know, it's not really about the money-- though pointing out the financial aspect to my vet should have an impact ...
I'd sell my house if that's what it took - I'd give him my body parts if I thought it would help.
But i see no point in continuing to do something that hasn't helped and ignoring what might help - just because it is outside of someones comfort zone.

+5 = 75

 

[WCF and Meowzi]

Good for you :mrgreen:

They are just going to fracking figure out how to check his magnesium! and if they need me to call Michigan State to direct them in how to do whatever else needs to be done... then that is what is going to happen.

Here, see if this link works. I did a search for magnesium. If your last test was recent, as in this week, see if vets/techs can call in an add-on (eta: this evening, if they're still open) - I think that may be the cheapest way to do it? The lab may still have some leftover sample. But make sure to tell vets/techs to confirm that it's a good sample before they run it; see Interferences: Hemolysis, incomplete separation - if it's either of the two, don't waste your money, get a fresh draw.

I've spent over $4200 just in the last 2 months... repeating the same tests.

:shock: :shock: :shock: Meowzi had to have two surgeries and a couple of chemo treatments to come close to that. You'd think they have some answer or at least a sense where this is headed for that sum of money. ((((Michelle)))

Be back with MSU link in a little bit.

 

[D and Noisy]

I bet you are p*ssed.
((((((((((((((((Doodle)))))))))))))))))

 

[WCF and Meowzi]

oh for crying out loud. the aldesterone baseline is only $16, plus shipping. i can't see why they won't do it, even if it's just to humour you.

linda got you the link, i think that's the right test.

 

[Michelle and Doodle]

OMG Linda !
Thank YOU!!!

I must be as much of a googling moron as my vet because I wasn't able to find that! :lol:

very much appreciated!!


-- and in case anyone thinks I'm serious - my vet is not really a moron.
She/they are both actually very decent people and overall the best vets I've found in this area.
The truth is, though, that "good vet" is a relative term.

 

[D and Noisy]

I know what you mean.
I have four different vets for my cats -- all are good at one thing or another but none are good at everything.

 

[WCF and Meowzi]

michelle, call your vet if they're still open
ask them to call idexx tonight (that's where his bloodwork was done this week, right?) and ask if test code 2201 is for magnesium, and if it can be added on.
the lab may still have enough blood to run it
that way, you can get results tomorrow, and start him on mag even if it's not back, b/c the blood's already been drawn (that's your baseline)

 

[Michelle and Doodle]

+6 = 50

michelle, call your vet if they're still open
ask them to call idexx tonight (that's where his bloodwork was done this week, right?) and ask if test code 2201 is for magnesium, and if it can be added on.
the lab may still have enough blood to run it
that way, you can get results tomorrow, and start him on mag even if it's not back, b/c the blood's already been drawn (that's your baseline)

You so totally rule Choy -Foong!
I just called and my favorite tech said she would call right away! excellent idea!


I also wanted to say that I completely lied earlier - though not really on purpose.
Brian (DH) just pointed out to me that my total of how much we have spent in the last 2 months was really the last 3 months and just over $1200 of that was on Abbey (dental) -- so I suppose I should be better at math before I start quoting things - And mouthing off at my vet :lol:
but still...

+6 = 50

 

[WCF and Meowzi]

Re: +6 = 50

I just called and my favorite tech said she would call right away! excellent idea!

hope idexx still has the blood and there's enough and it's separated correctly and not hemolysed i'd hate to see poor doodle go in for another draw just for this test. will your fav tech call back to tell you if they can run the test?

I also wanted to say that I completely lied earlier - though not really on purpose.
Brian (DH) just pointed out to me that my total of how much we have spent in the last 2 months was really the last 3 months and just over $1200 of that was on Abbey (dental) -- so I suppose I should be better at math before I start quoting things - And mouthing off at my vet :lol:

math eh? goes along with the 0.0833 amlodipine? ;-)

 

[Michelle and Doodle]

hope idexx still has the blood and there's enough and it's separated correctly and not hemolysed i'd hate to see poor doodle go in for another draw just for this test. will your fav tech call back to tell you if they can run the test?)

yeah... she called me back -- she said it was too late by the time she called and we'd need to go for another draw.
It'll be okay.
She made a really good point about the last time we did 12mEq and he was not eating low mag food that his potassium came up from 2.8 to 4.1 within 10 days - and that it was only after we reduced it and he was on lower mag food for a week that the level dropped again -- She said that now that he was back on reg food and getting the higher supplement that she really thought we'd see some results again - irregardless of the cause. I hope she's right... She also assured me that the mag test would not be an issue.
Doodle did come trotting through earlier playing with his easter eggs which he didn't do last night

I also wanted to say that I completely lied earlier - though not really on purpose.
Brian (DH) just pointed out to me that my total of how much we have spent in the last 2 months was really the last 3 months and just over $1200 of that was on Abbey (dental) -- so I suppose I should be better at math before I start quoting things - And mouthing off at my vet :lol:

math eh? goes along with the 0.0833 amlodipine? ;-)

:lol: :lol: --- yeeeeeaah....I got nothin...