Civvie with possible early CKD

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by Tasha & Darwin, Jan 2, 2018.

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  1. Tasha & Darwin

    Tasha & Darwin Well-Known Member

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    My girlfriend's kitty has had an increase in her kidney enzymes on her recent labwork, and I am looking for any advice. She has not yet been diagnosed with CKD, but her numbers have slowly crept towards high end in the last two years. She had a high normal BUN and CREA this time. Phosphorous is well within normal limits, but she does have mild proteinuria. She is asymptomatic, and has only lost a bit of weight because we recently put her on the same diet as Darwin (low carb, all canned). Naturally, the boss (vet) recommended switching her to Royal Canine Renal diet, but we decided against that.

    We have started feeding mix of Avoderm, Nutro and Soulistic that we found on the list of low carb, low phosphorous food list, but she's not eating them as well as the Fancy Feast - of course. Only able to find one pate so far that is on the list - she does seem to prefer pate to chunks.

    As we all know, sometimes we don't get the best preventative advice from veterinarians regarding CKD, and I am wondering if anyone else has any advice to share. We are both vet techs, so are familiar with the disease, but we are not always lucky enough to see numbers that aren't HIGH yet, but are steadily climbing - wondering what we can do to prevent further damage. We are going to have her in for a dentistry (which she needs), and then recheck her renal values 4-6 weeks later, but want to keep a close eye on those numbers to see if they continue to creep up.
     
  2. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Jun 16, 2014
    If you haven't already done so, I can't recommend a visit to Tanya's Site highly enough for all things feline CKD.

    Has the vet run an SDMA test? It's supposed to be very valuable for earlier detection of CKD than the traditional tests.


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  3. Tasha & Darwin

    Tasha & Darwin Well-Known Member

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    Jun 22, 2017
    I have it bookmarked, and we were going to scour it this evening - I had heard someone recommend it before. Thanks!

    You know, he hasn't. I had asked about it, but he didn't know too much about it. I spoke with someone at a continuing education seminar about how good it was though - I think it's worth checking. She's a difficult blood draw (better now that we have tried her on some pre-sedation), but I think we may check one when she goes in for her dentistry - it seems like it would give more information. Especially since the kidneys need to have 75% loss of function to cause an elevated BUN/CREA :woot:o_O
     
  4. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Jun 16, 2014
    IDEXX claims that the SDMA test can potentially detect CKD when only 40% of kidney function has been compromised.

    IDEXX SDMA Test - Website

    Our vets now routinely include an SDMA test whenever they order bloodwork for cats 'of a certain age'. :)

    I can't recommend Tanya's Site highly enough. It contains such a wealth of information and it's helpful for all manner of feline health problems, not just feline CKD. It takes forever to get through the whole site - but it's worth it! :)


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    Last edited: Jan 2, 2018
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  5. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    I've got one of those; my civvie, Lúnasa. :rolleyes:


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  6. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    What a cutie! :smuggrin:
     
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  7. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    More like what a cheeky mare! :rolleyes:

    There ought to be a law against cats having that much tortitude. (Just ask my beleagured ankles ... :( )


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    Last edited: Jan 2, 2018
  8. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    What IS It with torties??! :smuggrin:
     
  9. Tasha & Darwin

    Tasha & Darwin Well-Known Member

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    Gotta love those Torties! So beautiful though! :D
     
  10. Veronica & Babu-chiri

    Veronica & Babu-chiri Well-Known Member

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    Aug 5, 2016
    Do take a look at Tanya's web site you'll find a lot of usefull information, I guess changing her to a low phos diet is a good start, probably giving her some omega 3 supplement would also help.

    I just adore my tortie but boy the tortitude is something else!!!

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  11. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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