? Civie Health Question

[Erica & Carter]

Hi guys,

First and foremost, Carter is doing great! He's gone from 3u where the Lantus finally started to work, to down to 1u over the past few weeks. Numbers are mostly in the greens except for food spikes or when I have to give him higher carb food if I have to go out for a bit or get any sleep lol I'm very proud of him! He was taking reductions on a roll, which scared me a bit because I was afraid they would fail but for about a week it was a STRUGGLE to keep him above 50 (especially at night) as I tried to keep him on doses longer, he was fighting me despite the HC/MC or honey in his system. Mr. Pancreas looks like he's trying to work again.

But this question is about my baby Simon.

Over the past week, I've noticed Simon's water consumption has increased, but not excessive output in urination to match. I have a cat fountain, and honestly I'm not sure how many of them use it, but I've only really seen Carter drink out of it, which is weird because Simon is the one who loves drinking out of the tap.

But, Simon always drinks out of the dog's water bowl, and I've been catching him drinking for an extended period of time and a few times a day. Now, with this wet food switch, I expected to visibly see him drink less, as I didn't notice him consuming water this often when he was on dry. I wouldn't say he is drinkng as much as Carter was pre-diabetes diagnosis, but enough for me to be like "weren't you just at that water bowl not too long ago?"

Now it has been very hot in Alabama, but we always have the AC on, and they are all indoor only.

It's not diabetes, I've checked his BG.
So I'm wondering if it's kidney issues?

Simon has never had any health issues thus far, and gets blood-work done annually. Last panel he had, everything looked awesome, especially for his age. He's due for his annual panel in August and I'm thinking I should bump it up. Just for confirmation, he is 12 years old, so kidney issues wouldn't be surprising. However, he does not display any other symptoms.

I have very little experience with CKD/renal failure was hoping some of you might know what I should be looking for or if I need to ask them anything specific to look at re: the blood work.

Thanks!

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Could be CKD or maybe hyperthyroidism. A check of urine specific gravity would help identify the former. For the latter, there is typically an increase in appetite.

 

[Erica & Carter]

Could be CKD or maybe hyperthyroidism. A check of urine specific gravity would help identify the former. For the latter, there is typically an increase in appetite.

No increase in appetite that I've noticed. He eats most if not all of his food at meal times, but doesn't beg or cry for food inbetween. Sometimes I will leave out extra food that they don't finish and he doesn't go out of his way to try to eat it.

So would I do a UA and blood panel?

 

[Erica & Carter]

Bump

 

[Elle & Squeak (GA)]

UA would cover off the urine specific gravity and a blood panel would cover off kidney values. The thyroid test (T4) is a blood test, but we had to request it as an add-on as it wasn't included on the standard panel. Not sure if that's true everywhere, but it was each time we've had it done.

 

[Erica & Carter]

UA would cover off the urine specific gravity and a blood panel would cover off kidney values. The thyroid test (T4) is a blood test, but we had to request it as an add-on as it wasn't included on the standard panel. Not sure if that's true everywhere, but it was each time we've had it done.

With the urine specific gravity, is that testing for renal issues?

I remember the T4 being an add on, but that was at my previous practice, not sure about this one.

So given the more noticable drinking as the only visible symptom, I should still ask for all of these, correct?

He's not LIVING at the water dish by any means, but he's drinking more than I think he should for a cat that has been on a completely wet diet for 4 months now.

 

[Elle & Squeak (GA)]

Urine specific gravity tests the concentration of the urine. It can help with uncovering kidney issues - if the urine is too dilute, it could indicate the kidneys aren't working correctly, though it can indicate other things too. There's an explanation on Tanya's site:

http://www.felinecrf.org/diagnosis_urinalysis.htm

As far as testing, I'd probably see what your vet has to say. Increased drinking could be the symptom of a problem, but then again, it could be due to hotter weather, etc. I wouldn't want to tell you to get the testing if it wasn't needed, but at the same time, I wouldn't want to tell you not to in case it is needed. The tests mentioned - blood panel with T4 and a urinalysis are the tests my vet has run when checking for CKD and hyperthyroidism. Neither of my cats have CKD or hyperthyroidism *anti-jinx,* but we keep a close eye on Squeak as she's had dilute urine in the past (though it was resolved on her last testing).

Hope that helps a bit.

 

[Erica & Carter]

Urine specific gravity tests the concentration of the urine. It can help with uncovering kidney issues - if the urine is too dilute, it could indicate the kidneys aren't working correctly, though it can indicate other things too. There's an explanation on Tanya's site:

http://www.felinecrf.org/diagnosis_urinalysis.htm

As far as testing, I'd probably see what your vet has to say. Increased drinking could be the symptom of a problem, but then again, it could be due to hotter weather, etc. I wouldn't want to tell you to get the testing if it wasn't needed, but at the same time, I wouldn't want to tell you not to in case it is needed. The tests mentioned - blood panel with T4 and a urinalysis are the tests my vet has run when checking for CKD and hyperthyroidism. Neither of my cats have CKD or hyperthyroidism *anti-jinx,* but we keep a close eye on Squeak as she's had dilute urine in the past (though it was resolved on her last testing).

Hope that helps a bit.

Thank you.

He's due for his annual panel anyways so it wouldn't be an issue to run the tests, if as a precaution, it would just be a little earlier than I had planned. I have to get my work schedule for next week and then see when I can bring him in. Will keep an eye on him until then.