8/7 Shasta PMPS=268 +2=177 +3.5=140 +5=138 Potassium sup?

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Deborah & Shasta

Deborah & Shasta

Member Since 2012
8/6 Shasta

Well, it's that day. The start of the school year (at least for teachers...it begins today!) As always, I have mixed feelings about this. I'm looking forward to getting back into my teaching routine, seeing my students, & getting to do what I do best...teach. Not looking forward to the crap that comes our way this year, leaving my little Shasta all day and NOT GETTING TO GO BACK TO BED! ohmygod_smile I don't know how I'll survive! :cry:

WCR: So far, we have pee. Last night, I got a few purrs when she snuggled with me at bed time. Needless to say, she is VERY skeptical of me today. I know she keeps expecting me to throw her in her carrier and haul her off to tbp! :sad: Only if you misbehave, little girl. Her appy is so-so this morning, but I think a good part of that is she's nervous about how things turned out yesterday.

OT: After work today, I have a dentist appointment...race home for t/s/f, then off to chiro appointment. So, when I saw I'll be back later...I mean it today! Actually, I'll probably get a little FDMB time during one of our meetings today!!! But I have to behave a little more than usual this year...we have a new principal. (dun, dun, dun) :shock:

Thank you, Marje, Chris & Ann for checking in on us last night. Marje - I was wondering about the Potassium level. I thought I remembered Michelle telling me that Mannie had to take Potassium supplements and that he had similar "issues" like Shasta is having. I'll do some reading today during one of my meetings and call the vet to ask about getting a supplement. Thank you! Chris - Seems like the dentist is not only on the kitty's back-to-school list, but also the hoomin's back-to-school list! I just hope that I don't have to have a tooth extracted! :shock: (or a root canal!) :-x Ann - You have been such an amazing friend & teacher & cheerleader for all of us here on LL. Thank you! And you weren't far off on the dental procedure. I was having tooth problems last week and have an appointment (x-rays) today. nailbite_smile Shasta just had her procedure first. :-D Sending you comfort vines and mental scritches for Maggie (as she giggles at Shasta's monkey butt!) :lol:

Here are her blood work results.
Shasta vet report - page 1
Shasta vet report - page 2

Ok, off to get ready for work. Sending healthy vines to all our sugar kitties and their hoomins, especially Doogle, Jupiter & Miko! Blessings!

~Deborah & Shasta


AMPS=235 (4% FF Chicken 1oz & miralax)
+1=305
+1.5=220 (3% FF T&G 1.3oz, 5% FF Chunky Chicken .40oz, 7% FF Chunky Turkey .35oz)

PMPS=268 (4% FF Chicken .80oz & atenolol & squash & Cosequin)
+2=177 (7% FF Chunky Turkey .35oz)
+3.5=140 (5% FF Chunky Chicken .65oz; 3% FF T&G .80oz)
+5=138

Poo Pee tally
Pee piles - 4.5 (new litter clumps weird)
Poo piles - 1 (kind of formed poo...before I gave antibiotics. :YMSIGH: )
 
Re: 8/7 Shasta AMPS=235 +1=305 +1.5=220

Happy first day of school! A new principal? That will mix things up a little. Shasta, you be a good girl while your bean is gone. Sorry about the so-so appy. I hope it picks up. Have a great day Deborah!
 
Re: 8/7 Shasta AMPS=235 +1=305 +1.5=220

Hi guys .. Hope the first day back isn't too rough on you! It always takes our kitties a few days to trust us after we've taken them anywhere .. I'm sure shasta will be all purrs and headbutts when you do finally make it back home tonight .. have a great day guys!
 
Re: 8/7 Shasta AMPS=235 +1=305 +1.5=220

Oh Boy back to the rug rats, what grade do you teach? It will be nice having the kids back to school around here they get into to much trouble the parents pay no attention to the little brats. have a good day hope Shasta does fine while your gone.
 
Re: 8/7 Shasta AMPS=235 +1=305 +1.5=220 Potassium sup?

Deborah -

I hope your first day back went well! Hope your dentist and chiro appointments went well, too! I haven't been around, so I'll have to go catch up on Shasta.

Ginnie didn't return to teaching this year. She is currently music director at their new church. She can work from home most days and bring Sammy with her when she has to work in the office. Good deal!

Take care and have a great evening!

Libby (& Hershey, too!)
 
Re: 8/7 Shasta AMPS=235 +1=305 +1.5=220 Potassium sup?

Hi all...I have a quick question...actually, I think I already know the answer, but I want the professionals guidance. I called to ask about a Potassium supplement for Shasta and the vet tech said that the supplement couldn't hurt. We talked about what form of supplement I would like, and we decided on the paste. I ran by their office on my way back from the dentist...with 5 minutes to spare before they closed. I got home and it dawned on me that I didn't even think of any added "sugars". Here is the list of ingredients for the Renal K+:
IMG_1675.JPG


This is bad and I shouldn't use it...yes? no?

It's the artificial sweetener & maple flavor that blow it for us. Are there any other bad ingredients on here that I just don't know about? cat(2)_steam

Thanks for your help.

p.s. I have not given her any of the supplement.
 
Re: 8/7 Shasta AMPS=235 +1=305 +1.5=220 Potassium sup?

I hope your first day back went well today and everything goes well with the new Principal. Hopefully Shasta's appy will get better and she'll heal quickly from the dental.
 
Re: 8/7 Shasta AMPS=235 +1=305 +1.5=220 Potassium sup?

Hi Melissa ~ yeah, we have a new principal, transplant from Indiana. :? Aside from the new principal, teachers are losing their second planning period because of so many lay-offs...we're now covering the class periods left open by those lay-offs. And of course, there are more requirements and demands on us. :YMSIGH: I just want to teach. I want to teach my students to sing and do it well to help build self-confidence and to help create life-long Arts patrons that are well-rounded young people. I could go on, but I'm resting with my girl next to me...life is sweet. ;-)

Hi Devon ~ The first day back was a tough one. I am exhausted and it was boring. I stayed up too late last night checking on Shasta and then didn't get my btb time. :cry: :cry: :cry: As for Shasta, she certainly wasn't all purrs and headbutts, but she wasn't as grumpy with me as she was yesterday....well, she quickly reverted to that grumpy state when I had to give her her antibiotics tonight. :YMSIGH: ugh! :lol:

Hi Linda ~ The students start back next Wednesday. Right now, we're just going through pre-planning week...meetings, registration, more meetings. I'd actually rather be with the students! I hate meetings! I teach high school chorus. I love my job and I adore most of my students (there are always a few that irritate me to know end! :lol: ) The kids do the same around here...too much idle time. :roll:

Hi Libby ~ Dentist and chiro went well. I have another dentist appointment tomorrow to go over x-rays and hopefully for a cleaning. And I could have used another 15 minutes at the chiro! ;-) Good for Ginnie!!! :-D Church gigs are great, if you can get a good one! You rarely have to deal with crazy parents or rude students or mean administration. I'm so happy for her...and Sammy! :-D :-D

Hi Carla ~ first day back was exactly that...the first day back!!!! Is it May, yet?!?!?!?! :lol: :lol: :lol: Shasta seems to be doing pretty good tonight. She hasn't had any trouble with eating or chewing and she has kept all of her fuds down. yay!

Thank you all for checking in on us today. I will try to make it around to condos tonight, but I really need to get to sleep at a decent time tonight. I hope everyone is doing well today/tonight and that all kitties are happy and healthy.
 
Re: 8/7 Shasta AMPS=235 +1=305 +1.5=220 Potassium sup?

Ugh on the first day! Her values look good! I think some others (Michelle and Mannie, and Ann and Maggie) were using Tumil-K. I think they had to get a recheck after a couple of weeks to check the levels again.
Liz
 
Re: 8/7 Shasta PMPS=268 +2=177 +3.5=140 +5=138 Potassium sup

Thank you, Liz. I'll call the vet's office in the morning and see what pills they have. Shasta's fairly easy to pill...assuming I can catch her at the right time of day. :lol: ...usually, basking in the sun, upside down, acting sweet. :-D
 
Re: 8/7 Shasta PMPS=268 +2=177 +3.5=140 +5=138 Potassium sup

Deborah,

In answer to your question about the supplement you posted a pic of... I think the answer is "yes, this is one you don't want to use". The problem with a lot of the paste supplements is that they contain some sort of sweetener in order to make it "yummy". Potassium probably tastes nasty unless it is hidden in sugar, as do lots of minerals.

There are some tablet forms of K supplements that are okay. Tumil-K can be ground up and mixed into food. Renal-K comes that way too I believe. I am not sure how well the food hides the taste though. It was "easy" for me to give Bob potassium, because along with the low potassium levels, he was just post DKA so I had to give him squids daily. So my vet just added potassium to his bag o' fluids and I took care of two problems with one treatment option. Even after he no longer needed the sub-q lactated ringers, I kept giving him fluids with added potassium. Just fewer and fewer treatments per week. I think I went through 4 bags of fluids before his potassium returned to normal levels, so it was a "start low, go slow" approach to supplementing his potassium.

ETA: oh, and like Liz, I had to have Bob's K levels recheck every couple/three weeks while he was getting them, as too high is just as bad as too low when it comes to potassium.
 
Re: 8/7 Shasta PMPS=268 +2=177 +3.5=140 +5=138 Potassium sup

ohmygod_smile ohmygod_smile it really worries me when someone says the vet tech said the potassium supplement couldn't hurt. Yes....it can.

I would insist on talking to the vet. If he approves it, Id use Tumil K or NOW potassium gluconate.

From Tanya's on the CKD website .

Dosage
In Renal disease (2006) Dr D Polzin recommends "Depending on the size of the cat and severity of hypokalemia, potassium gluconate is given initially at a dose of 2 to 6 mEq per cat per day." He further recommends that potassium levels should be monitored every 24-48 hours when first beginning to supplement for cats with severe symptoms, and thereafter every 7-14 days. Do not supplement potassium without your vet's knowledge and approval, because not all CKD cats have low potassium levels, and giving potassium to a cat who does not need it can be very dangerous. Potassium should never be given to a cat who cannot urinate.
Click to expand...


I'd be careful and insist on talking to the vet so you know what he recommends, he can be sure the dose is correct, and he will closely monitor it.

Let me know if you have questions.
 
Re: 8/7 Shasta PMPS=268 +2=177 +3.5=140 +5=138 Potassium sup

it really worries me when someone says the vet tech said the potassium supplement couldn't hurt. Yes....it can.
Click to expand...

Agree completely. Too much is as bad or worse than not enough. Potassium affects all the muscles, including the most important one - the heart. High potassium can cause heart damage. That's why they recheck it so often (or should) once a kitty gets supplements.
 
Re: 8/7 Shasta PMPS=268 +2=177 +3.5=140 +5=138 Potassium sup

Ok, so I was under the same impression that too much K could do just as much damage. And I assume, in order to recheck her K levels, they'll need to draw blood, right? :sad: This may be more of a hassle seeing as she won't even let the nice vetty people near her unless she's sedated. :YMSIGH:

Thank you, Carl & Marje, for all of the information. I'm worried about her K levels being on the low side of "normal" and yet, just as worried about her levels getting too high.

Just to get your take on the dosage they recommended for the Renal K+ paste (which I will not be using)...they prescribed 1.25mL, orally twice a day, can be mixed with food. Does that sound like too much?! It might be impossible to speculate because there are "additives" to make it yummier and that's why they suggest twice a day at 1+ mL. I don't know. Just strange and irritating.
 
Re: 8/7 Shasta PMPS=268 +2=177 +3.5=140 +5=138 Potassium sup

Hi Deborah - I think your question has been answered, but will throw in my 2 cents, since I went through this with Mannie. Too much potassium, or levels too high aren't good either, as it is when they are too low. If you decide to give it, you will need to have Shasta's levels monitored. With Mannie, we did that once a week. There is a test that can be run to just check potassium levels. We used Tumil-k. The gel/paste form does contain a sweetener, and will affect BG levels. it did with Mannie. I switched to the tablet, ground it up for him. I understand too that it does come in a powder form. Wishing you luck!
 
Re: 8/7 Shasta PMPS=268 +2=177 +3.5=140 +5=138 Potassium sup

Deb,
Not sure on dosage as Bob's K was mixed into his squids. But yes, his rechecks required a blood draw each visit.
 
Re: 8/7 Shasta PMPS=268 +2=177 +3.5=140 +5=138 Potassium sup

Thank you Michelle & Carl - here's the latest...

Called the vet back about not wanting to use the Renal K+ because of added sugars. The office assistant called back (left voicemail) and said that the vet wanted us to go ahead with the paste and just continue to monitor her BG levels. :shock: HUH?! I know he knows his s**t...highly, highly, highly recommended by EVERYONE I know...and he's willing to treat my cat, which is huge.

I called back and talked to the office assistant (vet was in with client), I told her my concerns with the paste and the sugars and that several diabetic cat owners had suggested NOT to use the paste because it absolutely affects the BG. I would much prefer pill form.

Office assistant called back and said they would take the Renal K+ back for store credit and have the pills ready. I picked them up and now I need someone to put my mind at ease that I'm doing the right thing...

Butler Schein PotassiTabs - 1/2 of tablet orally twice a day.

Ok, anyone? Information? Safe to begin?
 
Re: 8/7 Shasta PMPS=268 +2=177 +3.5=140 +5=138 Potassium sup

I googled it...so everyone could see the dosage and precautions.
It says one tablet twice a day, per 10 pounds. But may need to be adjusted per patient. It sounds like a conservative dose? Precautions for heart and renal conditions.
http://www.drugs.com/vet/potassitabs.html
 
Re: 8/7 Shasta PMPS=268 +2=177 +3.5=140 +5=138 Potassium sup

I assume the dose is taking into consideration her heart problem...saddle thrombosis. I'm ok with conservative. I still haven't figured out what I'm going to do about "rechecking" her K levels. I'll email the vet tomorrow and ask how he would like to go about this. Something tells me he'll just want me to monitor her BG and if she seems to be feeling better, to leave the dose as is. I don't think I can pull blood from her...not with her teeth all gussied up and ready to chomp!

Thank you, Carl for checking on things and being a voice of reason for this newcomer! Hope you and Bob are doing well tonight.
 
Re: 8/7 Shasta PMPS=268 +2=177 +3.5=140 +5=138 Potassium sup

I am not familiar with this brand but it is potassium gluconate. I would just urge you to push your vet into monitoring closely.
 
Re: 8/7 Shasta PMPS=268 +2=177 +3.5=140 +5=138 Potassium sup

I will do everything I can to push the subject...I just don't know how we're going to be able to closely monitor her when no one can touch her, but me. confused_cat
 
Re: 8/7 Shasta PMPS=268 +2=177 +3.5=140 +5=138 Potassium sup

Hi Deborah - not too sure I can help much more, but the dosage prescribed is the dosage we had for Mannie too. ours was one tablet per day, the only difference was it was given once, the whole tablet.. Mannie also had "minor" heart issues, mainly high BP, and a thickening of one chamber of his heart. We found that giving the supplement did not affect his BP, or cause any noticeable problems with his heart. I wish you luck with this, and hope that you ad your vet can come up with a solution for monitoring levels once the meds are started.
 
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