#1
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Kidney failure diagnosis - possible misdiagnosis?
My 15 year old cat, Fred, was just diagnosed with CRF based on the following:
BUN of 56 weight loss muscle wasting His creat and phosphorus levels were not elevated, in fact, his phosphorus was below normal levels. I thought elevated creat and phosphorus were something that went hand in hand with CRF. Couldn't elevated BUN be due to other problems? Anyhow, Fred is on the following regimen: 10 cc(mL) fluid subq k/d canned cat food Rubenal 75 I tried the subq tonight for the first time. Unfortunately the needles the vet gave me were 22 gauge (extremely small) and it appeared not to be working well. Also, I'm not quite sure how to gauge 10 mL off the bag since it is divided into 100mL sections - a little difficult to eyeball. Fred is tolerating the k/d cat food well. I bought an electric, filtered, running water tray, but he doesn't seem to want to drink much. The Rubenal pills are big. I am worried about giving them because they contain Phosphorus, even though his levels are low... I'm not sure what to think about that. Finally, poor Fred is bleeding when he goes potty. I can smell the blood in his feces and there is blood on his anus. I wonder if this could have caused a high BUN reading, perhaps he does not have CRF after all? I am thinking about getting a second opinion. I know this is a lot to throw out there, I am still trying to digest everything myself. Any nugget of info would be highly appreciated. I can't imagine a day without my Fred, so any that I can save is all that I hope for. Thanks! |
#2
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Can you get a copy of the rest of Fred's blood work and post the results, with the lab range in brackets next to it? Also, was a urinalysis done? That's a vital piece of the puzzle (urine specific gravity in particular). If there was no urinalysis, I would make an appointment for one, and add a urine protein creatinine ratio test as well.
I would cease and desist with the K/D. Absolutely atrocious ingredients and there is no valid reason to feed such a protein depleted diet to an obligate carnivore, who actually needs MORE protein as he ages. Instead, find a few different brands/flavours of a good quality MEAT-based wet food with little to no grains and reasonable amounts of phosphorus. There are a couple charts on the net that can help you with that: http://binkyspage.tripod.com/canfood.html http://www.felinecrf.org/canned_food_usa.htm
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"To close your eyes will not ease another's pain." ~ Chinese Proverb “We must not refuse to see with our eyes what they must endure with their bodies.” ~ Gretchen Wyler |
#3
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Quote:
Quote:
The fluid will run slowly in a regular 22g but since you're not giving much you don't want the flow to be very fast & end up giving far more. Some pointers on how to give sub-q fluids easily including the direction the slanted needle tip should be facing: http://www.weirdstuffwemake.com/weir.../catjuice.html Take the bag hang it up & using a ruler mark off sections divided evenly into 10mL - can either use a thin strip of black duc/electrical tape or a sharpie. Quote:
The phos content of Rubenal is likely not going to cause an increase in blood phos levels - it would have to be much higher amounts. Is the vet aware of the blood in the feces? What colour is the blood - bright red & liquid like a fresh cut or dark red/black & tarry? If dark & tarry is may be a symptom of gastro-intestinal bleeding which can cause high BUN reading, in that case a trip to the vet is needed to determine the cause. A second opinion is always an option
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Avoid biting when a simple growl will do The Spirit Lives As Long As Someone Who Lives Remembers You - Navaho Saying |
#4
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Thank you for the advice on the bag of solution and the angle of the needle. Fred doesn't have a lot of extra skin and he tenses up so it feels like the needle will go right into his body.
Fred's blood is bright red on the anus and feces, which would seem to indicate hemorrhoids or other lower system bleeding. But it had the distinct smell of bloody feces (I used to draw blood from patients at hospitals and nursing homes, and the smell is so distinct....). Why is the k/d food bad for him? This is the only food available in my area for cats with kidney problems. What are the options for that? Fortunately he still has an appetite and manages to steal food from our plates when we are not looking or the kid's crumbs. On the bright side, I heard Fred purr for the first time in a long time, and he is cuddling with me at night again after we started giving him Rubenal. |
#5
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Quote:
Another good tip is don't poke the same spot every time, there's a pic on Sofia's site listed above that shows the "saddle" area, where anywhere in that area is okay to give fluids. Lessens the chance of continued soreness/scarring in one area. Quote:
What are Fred's poops like? Hard & dry, soft & mushy, normal? Quote:
Some high quality low phosphorus foods to get you started: By Nature Organics Turkey & Turkey Liver, Chicken & Chicken Liver, Turkey & Chicken, Chicken & Mackerel, Beef & Beef Liver Innova Flex Beef & Barley Stew Evo 95% Chicken & Turkey Felidae Platinum Felidae Cat & Kitten Felidae Grain Free Merricks Before Grain 96% Beef Merricks Before Grain 96% Turkey Merricks Cowboy Cookout Merricks Thanksgiving Day Dinner Halo Spots Stew Wholesome Chicken Halo Spots Stew Wholesome Turkey Wellness Turkey, Chicken, Beef & Chicken, Beef & Salmon, Kitten, Wellness Core Chicken Turkey & Chicken Liver (other flavours are too high in phos) Holistic Select Turkey & Barley Holistic Select Duck & Chicken Many more choices listed here http://www.felinecrf.org/canned_food...od_data_tables Wonderful that means he's feeling a bit better already
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Avoid biting when a simple growl will do The Spirit Lives As Long As Someone Who Lives Remembers You - Navaho Saying |
#6
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My Rainbow has very similar numbers like Fred if yours in US term as mine, but his T4 is in a grey zone for a 15 yrs old:
BUN 58 Cre 1.6 phos 3.7 T4 2.2 My vet said he is in an early stage. He drinks and peeps a lot :-( I sure hope Fred and Rainbow has something curable other than CRF!!! |
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