Devastated now CKD

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CalicoCat13

Member Since 2023
Hi Everyone
Devastating news from our vet on Kit Kat blood work :( Dr sent email and says she has chronic Kidney Disease. Missed her call. So will be talking to her later.

Kit Kat BG is controlled on Lantus and FF pate. She is on .5 IU 2x day BG. She has a Libre sensor on and I have been confirming with Alpha trak 2, AT3 and freestyle blood occasionally. She was treated for a UTI a couple weeks ago

Latest blood work
Her Creatnine is 5.3
BUN 62
phosphorous 13.4
Potassium 3.1
RBC 4.1
Hemoglobin 5.9

My poor baby!! Anyone here have similar challenges with treating CKD and Diabetes
Note: she developed diabetes after being on Royal Cann kidney soft and dry food for 5 months.

Thanks in advance for guidance and support!
 
Is there a lab value for SDMA? This is a very helpfu test for diagnosing kidney disease and was actually developed to be predictive. Other values, such as electrolyte levels can change or may be indicative of other problems. Also, is KitKat showing symptoms of kidney disease?

Please take a look at Tanya's site. The website contains a huge volume of information. They also have a support group where you can get questions answered.
 
Thank you. Been reading through that site. Her SDMA is 38 ug/dL. She is eating and drinking and grooming herself.

Possible Symptoms -
Her Dr noted weight loss at her last visit. When I weigh her at home weight fluctuates between 6.8 to 7.3 pounds
She is not as active and spends a lot of time in her little heated house. She goes up and down our stairs 1-2x day
She rarely meows
She is blind but finds her way around

Thanks!
 
While the weight loss may be kidney related, it could also be the result of switching her to a low carb diet.

I would talk to your vet about ordering a phosphorus binder. There are foods with lower phosphorus but it is likely that you need a phosphorus binder. I'd also talk to your vet about giving fluids at home. If you are interested in giving subcutaneous fluids, please be sure to ask your vet if there are any cardiac issues. There is a test, BNP, that may help to rule out cardiac problems.
 
I agree with Sienne, that phosphorus level is way too high; anything over 6 needs to be addressed immediately with phosphorus binders. With kitties who have CKD that’s one of the most important things to keep in check and will go a long way to making them feel better. Here is the link in Tanya’s CRF specific to phosphorus binders

I would also ask your vet about the low potassium values. They may warrant the need for a supplement, since ideally you want that value closer to 4.4 but solidly above 4.
 
CalicoCat13 said:
Her
Creatnine is 5.3
BUN 62
phosphorous 13.4
Potassium 3.1
RBC 4.1
Hemoglobin 5.9
Click to expand...

Wow. I am so sorry that you have been hit with this information. Hugs to you. I know what that feels like. That phosphorus is way too high and you want it in the 4-4.5 range if at all possible. You will need to either feed a renal food or to use an Aluminum Hydroxide phosphorus binder that is given with or mixed into every meal to bring that down. The phosphorus being that high will put an extra strain on her kidneys.

With a Creatinine of 5.3, it looks like you should start daily subcutaneous fluids if her heart is stable and able to handle fluids. I would ask the vet about this. Fluids can make the cat feel much better, ward off dehydration and bring the BUN down in many cases.

The potassium is a little low. Right now, with a 3.1 level, I believe you can handle this by adding in some Vetoquinol Renal-K powder to her food once or twice a day. I have good luck with the powder. It's chicken liver flavored and most of my cats (those who have low potassium) tolerate it well.

Also, the RBC and Hemoglobin are quite low. You should ask your vet about whether it's time to being Erythropoietin Stimulating Agents (ESAs) You may have read about these on Tanya's felinecrf.org site. I have very good results from these. But first, something you can do more immediately is to promptly begin supplementing with B-Complex vitamins. This can really help bring up the Hematocrit (you can read about it on felinecrf.org. I use Jarrow B-Right B-Complex Vitamins (many people on Tanya's support group use them) and split one capsule into ten size 4 gelatin capsules (using a stand made of flat pieces of Lego to hold the size 4 gelcaps while I fill them. Don't stress too much about how much gets in the gelcaps. There will be a little spillage. Just try to evenly fill the gelatin capsules with one capsule of the B-Complex.

Honestly, I strongly suggest joining the tanyackd support group on groups.io. There are a dedicated group of people there who are very knowledgeable and supportive. They can answer a lot of specific questions. Don't give up. There's so much you can do to improve Kit Kat's quality of life.

Also, did the vet confirm that the urinary tract infection is gone by repeating a urinalysis and even a culture if necessary? Just because symptoms are gone does not mean that the UTI is gone. I have had asymptomatic cats (doing absolutely nothing to indicate a UTI) that I took in for a routing urinalysis and many cocci (rod shaped bacteria) were found in their urine. I'm just suggesting this because a UTI can skew the kidney values in the bloodwork. If a kidney infection were involved, I would expect to see elevated WBC. Do you know what Kit Kat's white blood cell count was or any of the other white cells (neutrophils, etc.)?
 
Thanks so much everyone for the help. I have joined Tanya’s board. In process of searching previous threads and then will be posting questions.
The vet will be back in office tomorrow but I did have the tech take down all of the questions above. Appreciate all the detailed info!!
I have an appt for Jan 11 which is too far out! Will see what Dr says tomorrow.

Urine:
Working on getting a urine sample. Vet was unable to get one when they took her blood

Supplements:
I recently started her on Zobaline (4 days ago) Will purchase the Jarrow B Complex
I sometimes sprinkle Fortiflora probiotics on her food

Food:
She has been on FF Pate
On my way to purchase the Weruva BFF low phosphorous food list I found in another thread

Praying we can get this under control and that she feels much better soon!!

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Lisa and Angel said:
To address the blindness: did this happen recently? Has her blood pressure been tested? High blood pressure can cause blindness and cause damage to her other organs, especially her kidneys.
Click to expand...

So initially May 2023 we called a mobile vet to our house when we noticed she was going blind to assess the root cause of her blindness. (we live in a rural área and opted for mobile vet since Kit Kat was stressed with the move to a new home- we had rescued her from a previous neighbor who left her outside during winter)

I had read about blindness due to high blood pressure and asked her to test. the mobile vet said it’s not accurate to take blood pressure which I thought was strange. So she took a blood sample and I provided urine sample a couple days later. That’s when she came back and said she had early stage kidney disease and put her on Royal Cann kidney diet food. Her Creatinine was 2.1 in May.

Then in late October Her blood sugar spiked 5 months after starting the kidney diet food. October 27 2023 blood test showed 488 BG and normal Creatnine level!
Was able to get her pretty stable on Lantus and have switched vets who just reran blood work last week creatinine is now 5.3

I included the ask for blood pressure test in my list of questions to vet tomorrow.

Very strange how her levels changed so much so fast.
If it’s high blood pressure we need to get this under control quickly. I feel like we are missing something
 
CalicoCat13 said:
So initially May 2023 we called a mobile vet to our house when we noticed she was going blind to assess the root cause of her blindness. (we live in a rural área and opted for mobile vet since Kit Kat was stressed with the move to a new home- we had rescued her from a previous neighbor who left her outside during winter)

I had read about blindness due to high blood pressure and asked her to test. the mobile vet said it’s not accurate to take blood pressure which I thought was strange. So she took a blood sample and I provided urine sample a couple days later. That’s when she came back and said she had early stage kidney disease and put her on Royal Cann kidney diet food. Her Creatinine was 2.1 in May.

Then in late October Her blood sugar spiked 5 months after starting the kidney diet food. October 27 2023 blood test showed 488 BG and normal Creatnine level!
Was able to get her pretty stable on Lantus and have switched vets who just reran blood work last week creatinine is now 5.3

I included the ask for blood pressure test in my list of questions to vet tomorrow.
Click to expand...

I see. I'm sorry the mobile vet provided you with the wrong info. It is absolutely accurate to take blood pressure from a cat, though vets mostly look at the systolic blood pressure (the upper number, so with 120/90 the 120 is the one that matters). Blood pressure testing is very easy, safe and not invasive at all. They use a tiny blood pressure cuff that goes around either the base of the tail or one of the paws. Blood pressure is often a bit higher in stressful situations, but shouldn't rise to hypertension levels. The healthy levels are very similar to humans, 120-140 is normal, 140-160 is worrisome, 160+ is hypertension and treatment should be started. The vet should take several readings and then take the average to determine the blood pressure. Sienne already linked Tanya's awesome website, here's the link to info about hypertension in cats. It's definitely good to get this tested!


CalicoCat13 said:
Very strange how her levels changed so much so fast.
If it’s high blood pressure we need to get this under control quickly. I feel like we are missing something
Click to expand...

Follow that instinct. What jumps out at me from reading your posts, is the UTI. Can you tell us a bit more about that? How was it diagnosed, was it a bacterial UTI or not, was it cultured, how was it treated, was the urine checked afterwards? Because UTI's are often mistreated in cats, and UTI + suddenly worsening kidney values is highly suggestive of pyelonephritis (kidney infection), which happens when a UTI travels up to the kidneys and causes an infection there. This cn cause acute kidney injury in healthy cats and worsening of preexisting kidney disease in CKD cats. Anaemia is often a side effect of the infection. Here you can read more about it.
 
I noticed her pee clump in her litter box had a pink tinge and then saw her urinate blood so took her to vet immediately
She Was never diagnosed with a specimen Her bladder was empty when we got to vet since she peed in her carrier on way there.
The vet gave her subQ fluids in the office, sent me home with antibiotics, gabapentin and a urine collection bottle She recommended we start antibiotics immediately and if they work then it was a UTI and that she wouldn’t need a sample. That was Nov 29. She felt better immediately within 2 days no more blood, less lethargy. She took the antibiotics for 10 days.No urine test was done at vet after completion of antibiotic course.


Will demand the bp test!
 
CalicoCat13 said:
So initially May 2023 we called a mobile vet to our house when we noticed she was going blind to assess the root cause of her blindness. (we live in a rural área and opted for mobile vet since Kit Kat was stressed with the move to a new home- we had rescued her from a previous neighbor who left her outside during winter)

I had read about blindness due to high blood pressure and asked her to test. the mobile vet said it’s not accurate to take blood pressure which I thought was strange. So she took a blood sample and I provided urine sample a couple days later. That’s when she came back and said she had early stage kidney disease and put her on Royal Cann kidney diet food. Her Creatinine was 2.1 in May.

Then in late October Her blood sugar spiked 5 months after starting the kidney diet food. October 27 2023 blood test showed 488 BG and normal Creatnine level!
Was able to get her pretty stable on Lantus and have switched vets who just reran blood work last week creatinine is now 5.3

I included the ask for blood pressure test in my list of questions to vet tomorrow.

Very strange how her levels changed so much so fast.
If it’s high blood pressure we need to get this under control quickly. I feel like we are missing something
Click to expand...
High blood pressure is also very damaging to the kidneys and other organs. It’s not correct that you can’t get a blood pressure reading from a cat. My vet will do three readings and take the average of the three. I also have a home blood pressure machine for my cats. I have had cats have seizures from hypertension and go blind- although they did recover from the blindness when they were put on blood pressure medication.
 
CalicoCat13 said:
I noticed her pee clump in her litter box had a pink tinge and then saw her urinate blood so took her to vet immediately
She Was never diagnosed with a specimen Her bladder was empty when we got to vet since she peed in her carrier on way there.
The vet gave her subQ fluids in the office, sent me home with antibiotics, gabapentin and a urine collection bottle She recommended we start antibiotics immediately and if they work then it was a UTI and that she wouldn’t need a sample. That was Nov 29. She felt better immediately within 2 days no more blood, less lethargy. She took the antibiotics for 10 days.No urine test was done at vet after completion of antibiotic course.


Will demand the bp test!
Click to expand...
I would have them recheck her urine and send it to a lab if white cells are seen or bacteria. If they can’t get a sampler via cystocentesis, you can get a “free catch” at home. If it were my kitty, I would want to try to rule out a kidney infection, which requires a longer course of antibiotics than a standard UTI.
 
CalicoCat13 said:
On my way to purchase the Weruva BFF low phosphorous food list I found in another thread
Click to expand...
Glad you found the list of the Weruva BFF.
I used to belong to Tanya's site when Tyler's brother had kidney disease


About the Jarrow's B-Right B-Complex Vitamins
I used to use them also
https://www.amazon.com/Jarrow-Formulas-B-right-Supports-Cardiovascular/dp/B0016003Z0/ref=sr_1_1?hvadid=177763816214&hvdev=t&hvlocphy=9003521&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=11515240098535282984&hvtargid=kwd-52374930847&hydadcr=21191_9690486&keywords=jarrows b-right&qid=1703735035&sr=8-1

Many members on Tanya's group gave me a tip about filling the gel caps.
Instead of trying to make 10 equal portions of it they told me to buy these stainless steel mini spoons and use the spoon that says drop and fill each gel cap.
It's much easier
https://www.amazon.com/Norpro-Stain...dgen/dp/B0009X1P9S/?tag=felinediabetesfdmb-20

I used the size 5 gel caps ,which are smaller than the size 4 and they worked fine, Smaller size easier to pill your cat
https://www.amazon.com/Capsules-Express-Clear-Empty-Gelatin/dp/B0868XLPKN/ref=asc_df_B0868XLPKN/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=663417966698&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2121691999652179306&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003521&hvtargid=pla-964677036185&psc=1&mcid=a25658929e8e390f815b61a64b9bac2e



Just to show you the size difference
GelCapSmallAnimalChart.PNG
 
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Diane Tyler's Mom said:
Glad you found the list of the Weruva BFF.
I used to belong to Tanya's site when Tyler's brother had kidney disease


About the Jarrow's B-Right B-Complex Vitamins
I used to use them also
https://www.amazon.com/Jarrow-Formulas-B-right-Supports-Cardiovascular/dp/B0016003Z0/ref=sr_1_1?hvadid=177763816214&hvdev=t&hvlocphy=9003521&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=11515240098535282984&hvtargid=kwd-52374930847&hydadcr=21191_9690486&keywords=jarrows b-right&qid=1703735035&sr=8-1

Many members on Tanya's group gave me a tip about filling the gel caps.
Instead of trying to make 10 equal portions of it they told me to buy these stainless steel mini spoons and use the spoon that says drop and fill each gel cap.
It's much easier
https://www.amazon.com/Norpro-Stain...dgen/dp/B0009X1P9S/?tag=felinediabetesfdmb-20

I used the size 5 gel caps ,which are smaller than the size 4 and they worked fine, Smaller size easier to pill your cat
https://www.amazon.com/Capsules-Express-Clear-Empty-Gelatin/dp/B0868XLPKN/ref=asc_df_B0868XLPKN/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=663417966698&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2121691999652179306&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003521&hvtargid=pla-964677036185&psc=1&mcid=a25658929e8e390f815b61a64b9bac2e



Just to show you the size difference
GelCapSmallAnimalChart.PNG
Click to expand...
Thank you for sharing links! Just ordered. Let you know what vet says tomorrow. Will get a urine sample in AM and take it in.
I mixed some of the Weruva with FF and she tolerated it. Will wean her off the FF over next couple days
 
Suzanne & Darcy said:
I would have them recheck her urine and send it to a lab if white cells are seen or bacteria. If they can’t get a sampler via cystocentesis, you can get a “free catch” at home. If it were my kitty, I would want to try to rule out a kidney infection, which requires a longer course of antibiotics than a standard UTI.
Click to expand...
Thanks!! Getting a fresh catch in AM and taking it in. Keep you posted!
 
Suzanne & Darcy said:
High blood pressure is also very damaging to the kidneys and other organs. It’s not correct that you can’t get a blood pressure reading from a cat. My vet will do three readings and take the average of the three. I also have a home blood pressure machine for my cats. I have had cats have seizures from hypertension and go blind- although they did recover from the blindness when they were put on blood pressure medication.
Click to expand...
I regret not pushing more for blood pressure test and finding another vet much sooner. May have been able to save her vision. When I first called the mobile vet in May she still had some of her vision. Now she is completely blind I may invest in a home monitor!
 
Sadfully the blood test results you posted for KitKat are terrible. The RBC/HCT of 18.9 shows severe anemia. The low reticulocyte count shows that the body is not responding to the low HCT by generating a lot of RBCs. Thus is normal for late stage CKD since the kidneys are involved in RBC generation. There are drugs that can increase RBC generation.
 
Larry and Kitties said:
Sadfully the blood test results you posted for KitKat are terrible. The RBC/HCT of 18.9 shows severe anemia. The low reticulocyte count shows that the body is not responding to the low HCT by generating a lot of RBCs. Thus is normal for late stage CKD since the kidneys are involved in RBC generation. There are drugs that can increase RBC generation.
Click to expand...
Absolutely, even my vet, who tends to be conservative and waits until the HCT is below 20 to start the Erythropoietin Stimulating Agents such as Darbepoetin. I’ve used Epogen and Darbo; they helped a lot. Your poor baby will feel weak with that anemia. And low potassium doesn’t help either. Just hang in there. Don’t give up. And don’t waste time beating yourself up over the past. Right now, she needs you to move forward with some of the treatments that we’ve been talking about here and the ones that I am sure you have been reading about on felinecrf.org. The website can be very overwhelming, but the support group can help so much with specifics.
 
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What I mean to say is that I dare say that we have all listened to what vets have told us and later found them to be wrong or to have made bad decisions for our pets. They are trusted professionals, so we tend to listen to them. I doubt there are many people on this Board who haven’t had regrets over taking the advice of a vet at times. I know that I have.
 
Thank you
Larry and Kitties said:
Sadfully the blood test results you posted for KitKat are terrible. The RBC/HCT of 18.9 shows severe anemia. The low reticulocyte count shows that the body is not responding to the low HCT by generating a lot of RBCs. Thus is normal for late stage CKD since the kidneys are involved in RBC generation. There are drugs that can increase RBC generation.
Click to expand...

I know was shocked especially because she has been looking better eating more and going downstairs. Her Creatinine was 2.1 in May, 1.2 October 27
 
Quick update
Small Spike in BG today ~160 freestyle sensor reading around time for AM shot. Did not take blood sample but previous correlation data for sensor interstitial fluid at 156 (146 - 10 min later) has been 211 on AT3 and 153 AT3
Will update spreadsheet Been a while!

Was able to get urine sample just dropped off at best

Regarding todays conversation with vet. She prescribed following:
1. Epakitin® is a nutritional supplement powder uses chitosan, a natural ingredient, which limits absorption of phosphorus from the intestines.
2. Renal K+™ Powder for low potassium
3. Varenzin™-CA1 Oral Suspension for anemia treats non-regenerative anemia in cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
4. Blood pressure test at 4 and SubQ fluids 2x week

Will be posting this on the Ckd pag

Thanks for all the support!!
 
Update
Vet sent a message that KitKat has a “significant bladder infection” They will do a culture and get back to me. I have asked if it could have gone to her kidneys.

BG spike again this AM 167 on Libre otherwise stays low throughout entire day. Someone on Tanya’s site gave recommendations on antibiotics Baytril or Zeniquin
Will ask for the latter since KitKat has vision problems. Last time after a course of antibiotics her BG came down and we had to drop from 1 IU to .5 IU
Have a good weekend all!
 
Good job! I mean, not good that she has another UTI, but good on you for pursuing that. Question: how is KitKat doing now, clinically speaking?

Also, what does "Blood pressure test at 4" mean?
 
Aow. I had a feeling it was something like that. I bet it was never completely cleared up from the last time! A UTI can skew the kidney numbers so you may come out of this with better numbers. I am hopeful. And yes you will need to keep a close check on her BG for needed dose reductions. Will they send out the urine for a culture to make sure that the bacteria is sensitive to Zenequin. I’ve had good luck with Zenequin and it has the advantage of once a day dosing, but I would want to make sure it was the right drug. Also, I would recheck urine after the antibiotics are finished. You probably will want to use a probiotic as well. I think you are already? I’m in the car (not driving but parked) and have to run so I can’t check. I’m very optimistic that she’s going to get better.
 
Lisa and Angel said:
Good job! I mean, not good that she has another UTI, but good on you for pursuing that. Question: how is KitKat doing now, clinically speaking?

Also, what does "Blood pressure test at 4" mean?
Click to expand...

Thank you Lisa! She had an appt at 4 for BP test. The nurse measured 3x it was 143/101, 143/101 and 144/101
She also received fluids and they sent me home with a Lactated Ringers bag to administer 50 mL 2xweek
 
Suzanne & Darcy said:
Aow. I had a feeling it was something like that. I bet it was never completely cleared up from the last time! A UTI can skew the kidney numbers so you may come out of this with better numbers. I am hopeful. And yes you will need to keep a close check on her BG for needed dose reductions. Will they send out the urine for a culture to make sure that the bacteria is sensitive to Zenequin. I’ve had good luck with Zenequin and it has the advantage of once a day dosing, but I would want to make sure it was the right drug. Also, I would recheck urine after the antibiotics are finished. You probably will want to use a probiotic as well. I think you are already? I’m in the car (not driving but parked) and have to run so I can’t check. I’m very optimistic that she’s going to get better.
Click to expand...
Thanks Suzanne! Agree that it was never fully cleared up. Vet gave enough antibiotics to last 24 days but prescribed only 10 days and said we will test for infection at the end of the 10 days. I did learn that from Tanya page though that a negative test is not always accurate.
I am giving her the fortiflora probiotics

Should have results from the culture next week!
 
Kit Kat went outside Friday AM, a day after receiving 50 mL SubQ fluids.

She ate some grass and to my surprise crawled up on the couch on the patio. She hasn’t done that in a couple months! Someone on Tanya’s page recommended that we make sure she is not exerting herself too much with the level of anemia she has. She was exhausted after that si making sure she is not over doing it until we can get the anemia under control.
Was so nice to see her enjoying the little sunshine we had especially after the vets response to the latest blood work.

Sharing short video below
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0b99ZbaEIGDI8BBXnCLDQY6hw
 
Fortiflora is not a great probiotic. It works better as an enticement for a cat to eat.

I like ReNew Ultimate as a probiotic. Others here like Proviable. If you put something about probiotics in your subject line, you'll get others responding. If it ends up that the concern is a result of the antibiotic causing diarrhea, you would want a specific probiotic -- S. boulardii. Jarrow's makes a very reliable brand as does ReNew.
 
I see references to Weruva's BFF foods for lower phos options, not sure if you know.. but they have an actual low phos line called Wx. https://www.weruva.com/pages/wx

My cats love them, I use it as a supplemental food, mix it with the main meals and sometimes for the snacks.

But, not cheap! I try to buy them when on-sale and then I stock up.
 
Jason - Kona's Dad said:
I see references to Weruva's BFF foods for lower phos options, not sure if you know.. but they have an actual low phos line called Wx. https://www.weruva.com/pages/wx

My cats love them, I use it as a supplemental food, mix it with the main meals and sometimes for the snacks.

But, not cheap! I try to buy them when on-sale and then I stock up.
Click to expand...
Yes! It is another option and if cats like it that’s half the battle. We have members here who use that
Wx food.
 
Jason - Kona's Dad said:
I see references to Weruva's BFF foods for lower phos options, not sure if you know.. but they have an actual low phos line called Wx. https://www.weruva.com/pages/wx

My cats love them, I use it as a supplemental food, mix it with the main meals and sometimes for the snacks.

But, not cheap! I try to buy them when on-sale and then I stock up.
Click to expand...
Thanks Jason! didn’t know about a dedicated low phosphorus line. Was about to head to Petco to pick up more food. Checking now to see if they have this!
 
Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
Fortiflora is not a great probiotic. It works better as an enticement for a cat to eat.

I like ReNew Ultimate as a probiotic. Others here like Proviable. If you put something about probiotics in your subject line, you'll get others responding. If it ends up that the concern is a result of the antibiotic causing diarrhea, you would want a specific probiotic -- S. boulardii. Jarrow's makes a very reliable brand as does ReNew.
Click to expand...

Thanks!!
I do have proviable also. Will try that!
 
Hi Suzanne
Thanks for asking!
She is doing ok. Little lethargic today but see her on camera moving around at night sometimes getting her toy.

Her BG spiked this AM to 273 (AT2) / 232 (AT3) FS sensor stopped working. Has not been that high in weeks. She had Renal K gel night before which has sucralose. I read that in a couple human studies sucralose was shown to affect BG.
BG was down to 150(AT2) 117(AT3) 90 (freestyle blood) this evening Preshot
Waiting on Renal K powder to arrive

Also caught her eating her litter! Should be receiving the meds to treat anemia Wednesday. I have added coked chicken hearts to her daily meals which she is enjoying.

Should have her urine results tomorrow 1/2/24
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Keep you all posted!
Happy 2024
 

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Suzanne & Darcy said:
Has he BG gotten any better with the antibiotics? Any improvement in her eating and activity level?
Click to expand...
Hi
BG was better last night and this AM. I am about to test her PM Preshot. I have reduced testing. It now sometimes takes a couple pricks to get blood so I am only doing Preshot testing. Should be getting sensor applied soon so I get a good idea of her trend.
She has ups and downs. She seems a little better and starts moving around but it takes a lot out of her. Probably due to the anemia. Her posture is definitely looking better!

She liked the Weruva low phosphorous food. I was surprised because it looked a little gross !

Was supposed to start her anemia med last night but delayed after reading the leaflet. In addition to questionable success and side effects, the euthanizatuon of healthy young cats for their study really upset me.
I am giving her B12 and just received the Jarrow B complex which I separated into the size 5 capsules. Will see if I can get b12 shots and ask the Vet to do an air prick to see if her hematocrit Levels have come up since starting antibiotic

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That is disgusting. Those poor cats. That should be illegal. If you are testing a drug on an animal then you should have to care for it and provide it a home (provided you didn’t kill it.). Who is the manufacturer? Elanco?

I saw all your labs over on the CKD group. I do think that the possible kidney infection and/or kidney injury could have significantly worsened his labs even if he did have reduced USG back in May.
 
Agree! Yes Elanco is manufacturer.
Regarding her labs I noticed she had trace of blood in May labs but no infection. So not sure.
She is on Day 8 of antibiotics seems to be eating better. Her nose is slightly pinker. She has a vet appt next week for a check up. Will ask them to HCT check level with ear prick
They were also planning on an ultrasound and b12 shot
Keep you posted!
 
Hi Everyone!!
Kit Kat is doing much better. Thank God and thanks very much to everyone for the help and support. Thanks Jason for tip on Wx food. Kit Kat is eating Wx food line she likes the chicken in gravy. I am also feeding the chicken hearts and I cut up freeze dried chicken heart for snack

Her BG is between 55-80 with FS sensor.
Her BG highs are at 6 am and 6 pm usually between 120 and 150. Behind on updating spreadsheet! She is on .5 IU lantus at 8 am. She drops pretty low at night! I am not pricking her as she has low hct and trying to preserve her precious blood even if it is tiny amount. I do need to spend some time tomorrow on spreadsheet. She goes pretty low at night and then bounces up at 6 am
I switched from Renal K gel to the powder. I think the gel definitely caused BG spike!

She did have a blood test Friday which shows improvement!
Waiting on urine results

HCT 18.9 now 20%
IDEXX SDMA
1/11/24 - 39
12/27 - 38
REFERENCE VALUE
0 - 14 μg/dL

Creatinine
1/11/24 - 3.5
12/27/23 - 5.3
REFERENCE VALUE
0.8 - 2.4 mg/dL

BUN
1/11/24 - 51
12/7/23 - 62
REFERENCE VALUE
16 - 36 mg/d

Regarding the infection. She is still on Zenequin since Dec 29 for her bladder infection. The vet took her urine Friday so we are waiting for results. Tanya CKD site recommends at least 30 days for CKD cats. I was able to get extra from vet.

keep you all posted
Thanks again for all the help!!
 
Update
We went to vet yesterday for Freestyle glucose monitor sensor application and phosphorus/potassium blood check
There was an issue with sensor installation and the needle part of the applicator did not come out. They wanted to sedate her to remove as she was being difficult. They said they would sedate and then reverse sedation and asked me to sign a waiver. I declined stated I would try and took her home. They recommended gabapentin prior to me trying to remove.

Good news thanks to Reddit. I was able to remove without giving the gabapentin with my fingers and Kit Kat didn’t even realize

They also could not get blood after poking her
Kit Kat was not happy!!

I asked about her weight Dr said she doubted it changed since last visit (10 days prior)
Results ended up showing she gained .2 pounds! So up half pound total in a few weeks !

We were told next time she comes back I need to give her gabapentin prior since she is now difficult
 
CalicoCat13 said:
There was an issue with sensor installation and the needle part of the applicator did not come out.
Click to expand...
You mean you were it turned out like
Libre-w-needle.jpg


You can get a replacement sensor from Abbott. Go to there Lubre website . Just do not say it is for an animal. I say that I am a caretaker for a minor that uses the Libre
 

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Yea
Larry and Kitties said:
You mean you were it turned out like
View attachment 68845

You can get a replacement sensor from Abbott. Go to there Lubre website . Just do not say it is for an animal. I say that I am a caretaker for a minor that uses the Libre
Click to expand...

Yes exactly! Thanks for the tip!! Will reach out these sensors are not cheap!
Vet wanted to put her under to remove but I was able to get out the needle and yesterday use adhesive remover they gave me to remove the sensor.

I am thinking about giving her a break from the sensor. Her skin is beat up on both sides.
But now I need to start pricking her ear again

I am just so grateful she is doing much better!

upload_2024-1-20_13-45-38.jpeg
 

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