HELP W/ MURPHY -- CRF DX RECENT/NOW BG IN 300s

Status
Not open for further replies.
missmurphy2010

missmurphy2010

Member
Hi all. Well, I'm a nervous wreck. I was hoping, just hoping that we were passed all of this, but apparently not. Once the thyroid issue was treated over a month ago, we found the CRF, but it is so early early stage. So, she's been on Purina N/F for the CRF. Low protein, low phosphorus. Murphy has gained almost one pound. While she looks good, guess what is coming back --- DEMODEX! And, so, I knew that I had to check her BG for some reason, and guess what, 336. I don't even think it was that high when we started insulin.

How do I manage both of these you guys? I'm serious so upset about this. Yet, her urine glucose was negative. I've always been a huge fan of the need for prescriptions diets if they are needed, and Purina has always been my choice, but this is a difficult choice between BG and kidneys, and high protein v. low protein. I'm not sure where to begin.

If there are any diabetic/CRF kitty beans out there, please share your thoughts. Obviously, I'm distressed, and I knew, just knew when I noticed the mite, that things were turning around again. I don't think she was on a honeymoon either. I think she was out of the Cushing's and out of the diabetes. I think the CRF diet is what has thrown her as well as the thyroid.

Help! Lisa
 
All of my vets have said that they always treat the diabetes first and kidney disease second. Gus is at the very beginning stages of kidney disease. His phosphorus is normal so that's not a concern right now. The vet said to continue with the his low carb/high protein diet. She suggested I mix water into his food which I've done every since the labs came back. He seems to like his food more this way.

Tanya's site has really been my go to site and I've recommended it to friends with CRF kitties:

http://www.felinecrf.org/

I believe she has a food chart with phosphorus levels as well on her site. There are foods that are lower on the phosphorus end that are also ok for diabetic kitties. I think Nature's Variety Chicken only is one that is ok. I'm not sure about Tiki Cat Chicken, but it is one that I feed when Gus is in the mood.

If you look at my signature - you will see Gus has a lot of issues I'm trying to hold together so it is a huge balancing act. Everything I've read though says that low protein causes muscle wasting and that a lot of vets have stopped recommending low protein because it turned out to not be a good idea due to all the other problems it caused.

I just started taking Gus to acupuncture and I'm going to write a post on that, but want to wait until we have gone through the full course of treatments.

One of the "specialist" I went to put Gus on high carb, high fiber for his IBD and his BG went through the roof. They didn't know what they were doing when it came to treating cats and we no longer consult with them.

I suggest talking to your vet because we don't know all the lab results or what's best for your cat. I just know that for us, high protein, quality food with water added seems to be working. We also do Pepcid AC 1/4 tablet because it helps with so many of the issues.
 
Newer thinking is that the kidney diets are not needed until end stage. Cats are still obligate carnivores even tho their kidneys are old. Putting cats on low protein diets makes them use their own muscle mass for protein. Studies done did not study wether the low protein helped the cats or the low Phosphorus helped the cats..surprise surprise, its the pet food companies doing the studies.

I think the low phosphorus helps kitties. My Merlyn was on Wellness Canned and his kidneys were pretty stable until his HCM got worse. Check out the phosphorus content of canned food and see if he likes any of them. On Janet and Binkys chart, look for below 250.

Dont know about the Demodex but if her body is stressed by the high bgs, maybe thats causing a flare up/relapse?
 
HI Lisa, having a CRF & diabetic cat is treatable. I'm not surprised the CRF showed itself after the hypert was treated - often hypert hides the kidney disease because the hormones are making them work harder. As far as food the main thing is feeding a good quality high protein/low phosphorus diet. Wellness Turkey & Chicken, Merricks Cowboy Cookout, Surf & Turf, and Southern delight also fall into this category as well as some of the Friskies special diet brands. At some point your kitty will need subq fluids - this helps the kidneys flush out waste products and keep hydrated. Since your experienced with giving insulin shots the subq's will be a piece of cake. I use a treat to keep my cat distracted while she is getting her subq's. It also helps to warm up the fluids - I place the bag in hot water for 15 minutes or so to get it warm. Vets that I have spoken with say that its an unusual cat that doesn't show signs of kidney disease as they get older. Sitka's crf started showing up in her labwork when she was 14 - she is now 19 and still going (we call her our little Timex LOL). So its okay - your kitty still has many good days ahead of her. Jan
 
Murphy is going to be fine, and I believe the best thing is that the instant result from getting rid of the N/F diet would mean hopefully that she is not diabetic, but was running high glucose due to the diet. I'll let you all know later today.

Hopefully, this won't be a need for insulin situation, but if it is, then I'm ready to attack it again.

She loves the Merrick cowboy cookout! But, it smells like a picnic in my apartment!

I'll let you all know what I find out.

Lisa
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top