Copernicus (need bloodwork advice )

Krista & Copernicus

Krista & Copernicus

Member Since 2026
PP

Good afternoon
I am concerned that he was discharged with such elevated magnesium, potassium, and phosphorous still!. My cat can barely walk. He's so weak and wobbly. The high BGs have either finally taken their toll or it's the existing electrolyte imbalances. I just hope neither are permanent. Haven't heard from Internal Medicine yet either. His cabergoline does not contain magnesium, so I can continue that without reformulation. I'll do Weruva Wx food for a bit. How do I know what binders to get? I'm confused about the calcium aspect playing a roll in which one he needs. Any other thoughts? Thank you
 

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I see his numbers were a lot better on the 12th, that's good.

For Neko, I used aluminum hydroxide for a binder. It is the most common choice. More information here: https://felinecrf.org/treatments/phosphorus-binders/. That page lists brands, how to source, and which ones are odourless and tasteless. Just mix into each meal.

I'm glad you are keeping up on the increases, but I'd really like to see a second test in the PM before you go to bed. He probably needs more insulin, but we can't increase quickly and safely without second tests each cycle.
 
Thank you. So you mean two mid cycles tests? Because I am doing a test before bed at 11pm. He gets his shot at 8pm. I was able to get 2 last night. But I have set my alarm to get up and he's sleeping under the couch more now that he feels crappy. Hey Wendy...This is the first time I have noticed his paws look bigger. Do these tumors ever grow so fast that it is affecting his ability to walk? Ever since he got out of hospital, he can't walk but a few steps before he plops down. He can't even sit up before his meal. He is laying down. More likely extreme fatigue and neuropathy. He may be nearing the end I'm sad to say. I think he's giving up. And my heart is breaking. Thoughts?
 
If you are getting a test at 11pm regularly, that's great. It would be better if you put the data in the spreadsheet so we can see what it was. ;)I see nothing for last night. Those before bed tests can give us a clue what is happening at night and are needed to increase the dose quickly.

Neko got stiff with arthritis which slowed down her walking, but that was a couple of years after her acro diagnosis. Arthritis is a common side effect as acro can cause bony growths. Every acrocat's tumour behaves differently regarding timing and what side effects you see.

Getting him to a good dose as fast as you can safely will help his neuropathy. Neko didn't have neuropathy, but I saw a huge change in her demeanour once she started seeing a few normal BG values.
 
I just updated it. Sorry, I thought it was. All the days are running together. Now the 10-12th are when he was in hospital so I asked for the data and I got some of it. But weird they didn't test one of the AMPS...oh also he was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in his hips in 2022. But they never gave me anything bc he was still jumping around like a kitten. I wondered why so young and I'm sure it's not helping his pain . He probably has neuropathy, arthritis, and imbalanced electrolytes hitting all at same time.
 
Thanks for the SS update.

Is he getting anything for arthritis now? Treating Neko's arthritis pain was a game changer for her.
 
It was 10 years ago for Neko, and medications have changed. Back then it was buprenorphine and acupuncture for pain. Most acros feel pain, either gapapentin or buprenorphine is a common med for them. Depends on the cat, gaba didn't do much for Neko. For anti-inflammatory we used fish oil and Duralactin. Talk to the vet before trying that - it can't be used for cats with higher calcium or milk allergies. For helping the joints we used Cartrophen and hyaluronic acid drops in her food (Hyaflex brand). Cartrophen is a rest of world thing, Adequan was used in the US. Now Solensia is what cats get most places. It helped a recent kitty of mine with arthritis.
 
Copernicus has really gone down hill fast the last couple of weeks. I wonder if it's a larger tumor. This is the first time since he was diagnosed that I don't feel like he is fighting anymore. He can't keep his eyes open. He can't walk. He doesn't come into my room. It's bigger than just arthritis and high BG. I am a slow to process things and I was in denial and thought I had more time with insulin. We got his IGF-1 back 7 weeks ago. I guess the best time to have done SRT would have been then, but he was in and out of ER so much I still don't know if he can survive anesthesia. He always seems to have dehydration and acute kidney injuries so we lost time there. Just venting. 💔
 
Before Neko got buprenorphine for her arthritis pain, she mostly hung out on her bed by her autofeeder and didn't interact much. Shortly after starting bupe, she started playing again. From human acros, we've heard that pain is not uncommon, even headaches. I would try to get him some pain relief and see if it helps.:bighug::bighug:
 
I don’t think I’ve ever had a cat with high magnesium, but I understand it can make them feel very weak and poorly. That combined with the high phosphorus and the calcium*phosphorus value could conceivably be behind at least some of what you’re seeing. Maybe. @Suzanne & Darcy do you have any experience or thoughts about hypermagnesemia and the other things going on here?

Since it sounds like Copernicus is declining rapidly and you feel like you might be reaching the end, the only thing I can offer is what I call a “Hail Mary to the end zone.” If he were my cat, I’d probably stop the Zobaline (since it contains magnesium stearate) since I doubt neuropathy is high on the list right now. I’d probably add aluminum hydroxide phosphorus binders to the food — might not be enough time to make a huge difference, but probably wouldn’t hurt and I’d be looking at anything that might help lower the P. I’d also consider buprenorphine for pain. I haven’t had good results with GABA and it can make them drowsy (not something I’d want right now). I have seen and heard of far too many issues with Solensia so I wouldn’t go there. I also think it’s contraindicated for kidney cats, so with Copernicus’ history, I wouldn’t risk it.

For good measure, I’d try to monitor resting respiration rate and body temperature (if you can do so without upsetting him too much). And I’d love him up as much as possible. I’ve seen gravely ill cats turn around, but I’ve also seen them slip away. Copernicus has been a bit of an enigma. Something is going on, but with acro and a history of ketones and possible AKI and high magnesium/phosphorus and IBD and swallowing issues and stubbornly high BG, it’s a lot to decipher.

Those are just things I would probably consider, but you know Copernicus best and are there with him so it’s really up to you. I wish the vets were being more supportive and helpful.

Sending healing energy your way. Please keep us posted.
 
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JL and Chip said:
I don’t think I’ve ever had a cat with high magnesium, but I understand it can make them feel very weak and poorly. That combined with the high phosphorus and the calcium*phosphorus value could conceivably be behind at least some of what you’re seeing. Maybe. @Suzanne & Darcy do you have any experience or thoughts about hypermagnesemia and the other things going on here?

Since it sounds like Copernicus is declining rapidly and you feel like you might be reaching the end, the only thing I can offer is what I call a “Hail Mary to the end zone.” If he were my cat, I’d probably stop the Zobaline (since it contains magnesium stearate) since I doubt neuropathy is high on the list right now. I’d probably add aluminum hydroxide phosphorus binders to the food — might not be enough time to make a huge difference, but probably wouldn’t hurt and I’d be looking at anything that might help lower the P. I’d also consider buprenorphine for pain. I haven’t had good results with GABA and it can make them drowsy (not something I’d want right now). I have seen and heard of far too many issues with Solensia so I wouldn’t go there. I also think it’s contraindicated for kidney cats, so with Copernicus’ history, I wouldn’t risk it.

For good measure, I’d try to monitor resting respiration rate and body temperature (if you can do so without upsetting him too much). And I’d love him up as much as possible. I’ve seen gravely ill cats turn around, but I’ve also seen them slip away. Copernicus has been a bit of an enigma. Something is going on, but with acro and a history of ketones and possible AKI and high magnesium/phosphorus and IBD and swallowing issues and stubbornly high BG, it’s a lot to decipher.

Those are just things I would probably consider, but you know Copernicus best and are there with him so it’s really up to you. I wish the vets were being more supportive and helpful.

Sending healing energy your way. Please keep us posted.
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I stopped the Zobaline immediately. I try to get him up every 3 hours, but he's only up for a few minutes. Is that enough? I don't like him on GABA either. Solensia does bypass the kidneys and is not contraindicated, I'm curious what issues have you seen?
 
JL and Chip said:
I think you mentioned Pepcid … you’re using Pepcid AC (not Pepcid Complete), correct?
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Walgreens and equate generic original strength famotidine. One of the inactive ingredients is magnesium stearate, but he's not on it daily. As needed but looks like that will need to be compounded now. My guess is it's also in cerenia and zofran too.
 
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