kidney problem questions

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Marci and Buddy

Marci and Buddy

Member Since 2009
My 16 y.o. Buddy had p-titis last month-better now. vet said urine test showed no UTI, but results came back with a 2+ for protein in urine.
She said the urine protein creatin ratio is either +1, +2 , or +3...and we should restest in afew weeks.
meanwhile , i think he is dehydrated, vet said due to mild heart murmer , give sub-q fliuds only on as needed basis.
but i cannot tell when needed, based on lifting up scruff. so i am giving him 50cc every other day.
My questions are :
1)isn't kidney failure fatal? when my dog was diagnosed with it, they gave him just a few months. is it the same in cats?
2)is my vet right about re-testing (it's $250 a test!)
3) how do i treat him with daily sub q fliuds,if that's what is needed for kidney failure, , when he has a heart murmur (not heart damage)?
thanks so much.
 
Hi Marci
Kidney failure does not have to be a death sentence in cats. It can be managed and the cat can still lead a good life for many years. Many older cats develop chronic kidney failure. Acute kidney failure is more worrisome especially if left untreated. I'm a little confused about the results of the protein to creat ratio. I had one done on one of my cats this summer and I think I payed around 60. Does Buddy have a recent BUN and Creatinine? Did your vet do the protein to creat ratio because Buddy was spilling protein into his urine? You mentioned that Buddy has a murmur but did he ever have a cardiac echo done? Does he have an enlarged heart? Is he on any heart meds. Subq fluids is the treatment for CKD cats. If a cat has heart issues usually you have to do less fluid. You could ask your vet to show you how to check Buddy's hydration pushing on his gums and checking the refill time. If Buddy is peeing a lot and drinking a lot he could be dehydrated. Cats with pancreatitis get dehydrated too. I don't have your post in front of me but did your vet mention how much fluid at a time. You could try mixing water in with your wet food. When was the last time that Buddy had an ultrasound? When Brie was going through his kidney infection he was spilling some protein in his urine.

Sandy
 
What is the urine specific gravity?
Regarding blood analysis what were the:
- Creatinine
- BUN
- Phopsphorous
- HCT or homatocrit
 
Larry--three weeks ago ,Protein in urine was 2+. don't know if that is the urine spec. gravity test results .
Vet said 1 + is normal, should be rechecked in a month. the specific gravity (doesn't say "urine" ) is 1.020 i think 1.015-1.060 is normal range.
As for the other values, they were taken 4 months ago, right before he had all his teeth extracted.
Bun 20,
creatinine 2.0,
phosphorous 4.4 ,
hematocrit 39.0
what do the last 2 lines indicate?
what do you think ?
 
Marci and Buddy said:
Larry--three weeks ago ,Protein in urine was 2+. don't know if that is the urine spec. gravity test results .
Vet said 1 + is normal, should be rechecked in a month. the specific gravity (doesn't say "urine" ) is 1.020 i think 1.015-1.060 is normal range.
As for the other values, they were taken 4 months ago, right before he had all his teeth extracted.
Bun 20,
creatinine 2.0,
phosphorous 4.4 ,
hematocrit 39.0
what do the last 2 lines indicate?
what do you think ?
Click to expand...
The urine specific gravity 1.020 is slightly on the low side. Most vets like to see it above 1.030. Protein spilling into more dilute urine is more worrisome than if it was spilling into a higher concentrated urine. I can understand why your vet wanted to do the protein to creatine ratio. His bloodwork pre dental was normal. Many kidney kitties have elevated phosporus levels and low hematocrits. A low hematocrit would show anemia. The protein to creat ratio can detect kidney disease early before the BUN and creat show it on blood work. By the time kidney disease is detected in blood work the cat has already lost at least 70 percent kidney function. What did your vet say about the ratio. I don't recall seeing the results. If the result was abnormal I'm guessing your vet may want to repeat it in a month. If Buddy is still spilling protein then and has another abnormal result it may be worth doing an ultrasound.
 
Sandy--what does the urine spec. gravity being on the low side indicate? did my vet do the protein to creatinine ratio test?
I'm getting confused with all these issues and tests..last month he had p-titis,was going to do an US on his pancreas, but now he's fine(I think), but now Iworry about his kidneys. I think, not sure that he's dehydrated slightly. and givine him .50 cc of sub -q fliuds every other day, due to his hear murmur. The results I posted above are 4 months old. What do you think i should do now? Thanks - I really appreciate your suggestions.
 
Marci and Buddy said:
Sandy--what does the urine spec. gravity being on the low side indicate? did my vet do the protein to creatinine ratio test?
I'm getting confused with all these issues and tests..last month he had p-titis,was going to do an US on his pancreas, but now he's fine(I think), but now Iworry about his kidneys. I think, not sure that he's dehydrated slightly. and givine him .50 cc of sub -q fliuds every other day, due to his hear murmur. The results I posted above are 4 months old. What do you think i should do now? Thanks - I really appreciate your suggestions.
Click to expand...
Hi Marci
Don't be alarmed. When a cat's specific gravity is lower it can indicated that their kidneys are not functioning as they should. Many older cats get kidney disease. 1.020 is not horrible honest. His BUN and creat were normal 4 months ago. What makes you think he is slightly dehydrated? Is he peeing large puddles? Is he drinking alot or not at all? Is he eating normally. Ask your vet if he did the protein to creatine ratio. I think your vet wants to monitor the protein in the urine. I love abdominal ultrasounds but it is an expense. If it isn't too much stress on Buddy I would probably have one done especially if Buddy is still spilling protein in his urine. You probably should repeat the urine first. I'm not sure of the time frame of Buddy's last urine. If he has protein in the urine still I would go for the ultrasound. The bloodwork could also be repeated. Kitties with pancreatitis usually have very poor appetites and do get dehydrated. Hopefully Buddy is over his pancreatitis. Subq fluids are good for cats with pancreatitis and kidney disease. 50ml every other day is pretty conservative which is probably good in Buddy's case given that the vet isn't quite sure what is going on. If Buddy does have early kidney disease keep in mind that it is manageable. You are on top of things so try not to stress out too much. I'll check back with you tomorrow.
Sandy
 
Those values are not bad at all. Buddy should have a lot of life left in him. Last July my Stuart had a 1.011 USG last July together with BUN of 59 with 34 upper limit
Creatinine of 3.6 with 2.4 upper limit
Phosphorous of 7.7 with upper limit of 7
Potassium of 3.3 witj lower limit of 3.9
He is on a phosphorous binder and potassium supplement as well as Sub-Q fluids.
Stuart is still with me.
 
Two of my civvies had heart murmurs and needed subq fluids for renal issues. They routinely got their blood checked (renal panel) to see if an increase in fluids and/or phos binder was warranted. The vet was more concerned about taxing the heart via IV fluids during hospitalization versus subq given at home, though it is still something to take into consideration. Probably best to split the amount - like 50 mL a day instead of 100 mL every other day. I ended up giving it morning and evening too.

MJ
 
Hi Marci
I hope Buddy is feeling ok. You got a few positive responses about kitties with kidney disease. It really is manageable especially when it is caught early.

Sandy
 
Hi- i am very relieved to get theses response, thank you.I will have a re-check on his kideney values next week.
is it the urin spec gravity test i need to ask for?Anything else?
Can you believe my vet never even heard of Levemir? she knows about Lantus. i told her they are the same. isnt that right?
 
i can't be of help in regards to the tests that need to be done or have been done, just wanted to add that my late Kitty lived for 2 years after being diagnosed with kidney disease and my LePew is at roughly 2 years since being diagnosed too
 
Make sure they do the urine analysis. That will tell them if Buddy still has protein in his urine and it will also give them a urine specific gravity. If he still has protein in his urine I would consider an ultrasound.
 
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