Elevated creatinine level - What to do?

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Charlotte & Prop

Charlotte & Prop

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Hi everybody.

My cat Prop went to the vet this monday to have some blood work done, since she didn't seemed quite well. She wen't OTJ in feb after 3-4 weeks on insulin. but her bg has for the last week been a bit higher than normal. At the same time she started having diarrhea last saturday and vomiting a few times. I gave her only boiled chicken and fish for a week to try to get her stomach to work again, but still she didn't poop for a week, that was when I took her to the vet.

The bloodwork showed no infection and I just got her fructosamine numbers wich were normal (big relief), the vet said on monday that some kidney numbers came back to high, but since I had only been feeding her with chicken for a week he belived that was the reason.
Today he called and said her creatin levels were in the high end of the normal area. What can I do about that? I will have her tested again in a few months but in the meantime I will do anything to make her numbers better, but still at the same time not activate her need of insulin again.

Does any of you have any experience or knowledge with this?

Thanks.

Charlotte
 
What were the blood phosphorous levels and the urine specific gravity. These are indicators of kidney problems. Unlike for BUN (Urea) protein in the diet has little effect on the creatinine level.
 
Larry and Kitties said:
What were the blood phosphorous levels and the urine specific gravity. These are indicators of kidney problems. Unlike for BUN (Urea) protein in the diet has little effect on the creatinine level.
Click to expand...

Phosphurus levels high?
Do the creatinine levels have anything to do with food? The reason I ask is that the last check on Sweety, her Ceatinine was a little high, higher than before and the vet said that her kidneys were declining. But on that morning, she wanted to eat about an hour before the test so I gave it to her. Before all her other bloodtests (she goes every 6 months for T4 check, HyperT) I made sure to not feed her for 4 hours before - could that food an hour before, influence he creatinine at all?
Her USG has always been dilute. The vet wasn't concerned about that until the last check with the Creat. level.
 
Chicken muscle meat alone is a very incomplete diet, so she might have developed some deficiencies, and it's much higher in protein than most low-carb foods, which also include significant fat (which is acceptable for diabetics). It's also very low in fiber, which is necessary for normal elimination - too little fiber can cause constipation!! The commercial cat foods listed as low-carb (below ten per cent - the ones I use are around 6) on Janet and Binky's chart (hope we can still access that!) would be much better for her and shouldn't elevate her glucose.

That being said, I came back to ask about some disturbing results Ragnar has had - also kidney probs - so will get on with it. I wish you both the very best!

Shirley and Mr. Beautiful cat_pet_icon
 
I can only tell you what I know about creatnine levels in humans. I am an x-ray tech and we give IV contrast and we always check creatnine levels. If people are dehydrated that can very much affect creatnine levels. Food not so much but after a CT scan we always tell people to avoid caffeine for 24 hrs and HYDRATE. I would think hydration in your kitty is the same. Mine has had a creatnine on the high side of normal and other than the fact he is now diabetic due to steroids, it has never gone any higher. I feed only wet food now and I add water to the consistency of applesauce and they love it! good luck with your kitty!
 
Thanks for your answers.

About her creatinin numbers I don't remember the number, but I remember he said, that if she was two numbers higher, she would be out of normal range.

I normally feed low carb wet food, but because of the diarrhea the vet wanted me to give her RC intestinal dry. I wouldn't do that so he suggested boiled chicken.

I have started adding water to her food just in case.
Is this a problem that I can stop from developing to something bad or is this just the beginning of the end?
 
Almost all older cats experience kidney disfunction as they age. With Creatinine still in the normal range, if phosphorus and potassium are ok, I wouldnt worry about it too much.

things you can do right now... you are already adding water to the food, check the phosphorus levels in the food on Janet and Binkys charts. Aiming for the 250 range and under if possible but since your baby isnt really even early renal, dont freak!
And..
Talk to your vet about Calcitriol
http://mysite.verizon.net/~vze2r6qt/calcitriol/#Top
If your vet suggests a RX diet, Just say No!

My vets use Antech and the ref range high for creatinine is 2.4, Conor is right now at 3.1 and we are going to start Calcitriol, but holding off on sub q fluids. Starting subqs too early can make the kidneys work harder to process the extra water. Of course, its not about the numbers, if your cat is dehydrated then sure fluids.

At this point I wouldnt do much more, but if you do happen to go in to the vet for anything else, ask for a urinalysis. The Urine Specific Gravity also tells you how the kidneys are doing.

Some reading for you...this site is Awesome..
http://www.felinecrf.org

Look for the "Does your cat have Diabetes and CRF?" posts by Holly and Spader, and Melissa and Popcorn for more links to CRF sites.

Oh and i hate the term CRF (Chronic Renal Failure) because with treatment they can live many years with kidney insufficiency. CKD is better Chronic Kidney Disease.
Merlyn was DXed with early CKD as soon as he went OTJ in 2005 and it was his heart in the end. His kidneys had gotten a bit worse but were stable at the end. He was getting calcitriol, Wellness canned, and Benazepril (more for heart but also kidneys)

Sending cyber hugs!
 
Thanks a lot, that is really helpfull.

Since I live in Denmark we don't have the food on Janet and Binkys list. But I have this food at home, haven't feed with it yet, since I don't know if it is ok.

The foods name is Select Gold,its is for senior cats and on the can it says kidney proctection and no added sugar.
It has the followring ingrediens:
Chicken meat and chicken giblets 64 %
Chicken meat stock 32 %
Marine algae meat 1%
Psyllium 1%
Cranberries 1%
Cellulose 0.5%
Fish oil 0.25%
Macadamia oil 0.25%

The avarage analysis say:
Protein 8.8%
Crude fat 5.5%
Crude fibre 0.9%
Crude ash 2.2%
Moisture 81%
Calsium 0.31%
Phosphorus 0.26%

I have calculated that the carb is 5.5 %

Does it sound ok with her being newly OTJ and still ok for her old kidneys?
 
The ingrediens list I put here is the only one on the can. All the ingrediens i mentioned (besides vitamins and taurin) are the only ones on the can.

I just fed it to Prop and she loves it, but it looks a bit oily. When i put water in it little oil dots is on the top. Is there to much oil in it or is that ok?

I hope her bg will not raise to much, normally I feed her wet food with 3.3 % carbs, this one has 5.5 %
 
the difference from 3.3% calories from carbs to 5.5 is not much at all and if there are no grains I wouldn't worry too much. Hope this stuff works :)
 
Yes me too. I am so tired of being worried and I know that Props issues is not half as bad as a lot of people in here. Everyone should have a medal for taking such good care of their animals.

Thanks a lot everybody, not many places to look in Denmark to get help when you have a diabetic cat, so this forum is my new best friend :)
 
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