9/17 China AMPS 89,+4 68,+9 68, PMPS 86,+2.5 67 Dental tomorrow

Chris & China (GA)

Chris & China (GA)

Member Since 2013
Hey guys!

Sorry I haven't been posting a condo for China lately but her BG has been very stable and there just wasn't much to report in that regard.

Lots of other news though. For those of you that haven't heard, she's now officially into CKD. Her pre-dental bloodwork came back and the vet says she's going to need to start fluids and I'm going to have to try to find something low phosphorus that she'll eat. (That's going to be a real problem!! I've tried this before with very little luck!) I may have to just go with a phosphorus binder for when she gets Fancy Feast. She's still eating RadCat for her "shot-time" meals and that's low P …..I just can't afford to feed it to her 100% of the time.

Despite not having her dental fundraiser fulling funded, I'm hoping it's close enough because I have her scheduled for tomorrow:nailbiting::nailbiting::nailbiting: She's now considered "high risk" so I'll be a basket case until it's over and she's on her way home.....but....

I'm also scheduled for a chemical cardiac stress test tomorrow morning so I'll be busy too!! The doctor still doesn't know why I'm in heart failure and none of the tests we've done so far point to anything in particular so this is the next step. This one makes me a little nervous though......as it is, just walking from my living room to my kitchen leaves me gasping for air and feeling like my heart is going to explode, so the idea of giving me drugs to force it to work harder just doesn't sound all that fun to me!! It's also a 4-5 hour test! Just what I wanted to do.....hang around a hospital all day...NOT!!!

I'm hoping that they'll get China in early so that by the time I'm done, she'll be awake enough to come home with me. It's an hour drive one way, so it would be a lot easier on me if it works out that way....otherwise I'd have to drive all the way home, just to turn around and drive all the way back to pick her up "after 4". I did talk a little with the vet last week and they said "no guarantee's but if she's doing well, they will let her go but they won't take any chances with her health"....well DUHHH.....yeah, I'd hope not!! The extra driving would be a PITA, but when it comes to my China, I want the best for her!!

I'm also supposed to get a demo on giving fluids and pick up some supplies to start that so again I'm hoping there's enough in the fundraiser account to cover the new stuff too. Heck, just her bloodwork was $250 :eek:

I'm going to take my meter and strips and HOPE I can get them to use them instead of insisting on using their AT.....when I took her for her bloodwork, her BG was 59 when I left home, so I asked them to check it when we got there (sometimes her BG goes lower under stress instead of higher) and it cost $25 for ONE glucose check (but she got a wonderful 116 on the AT after an hour of her "singing the song of her people" all the way there in the car!!)

Anyway, that's the basics.....I want to thank those of you that checked in with me to express their concern that I hadn't been posting. It was appreciated more than you know.:bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
I have missed you as well.

Sounds like you have so very much on your plate with China and with you. Good vibes, prayers and well wishes for both of you. :bighug::bighug::bighug: I hope all goes even better than possibly hoped for. Do let us know.
 
O M G Chris! I had no idea you were having these issues. Vines for both of you. What were China’s creatinine and BUN? I’ve never had a cat that didn’t develop CKD but none passed from it although it made treating other issues tough for Tiffany and impossible for Max as you know. Good you are doing dental now. :bighug:
 
:bighug::bighug::bighug: all around!

I concur... what was the creatinine? I didn't have to intervene with my civvie when he was in Stage 2. I didn't have to change anything and he stayed stable for years after diagnosis.
 
Many, many vines and prayers for both you and China. FWIW, most of the time I couldn't get Trix to eat low phos foods so I almost always gave her FF with a binder, and it did work well for her.

Once you're settled, shop around for fluids supplies. When I got them from my vet, the price was outrageous, but I found decent prices through Valley Vet Supplies and Thriving Pets for all the parts - fluids, lines, needles. Some folks have had good luck getting the actual fluids at local pharmacies like Walmart, but I always had issues in my area for whatever reason. I also found 20 gauge or 21 gauge needles worked best for Trix. Vets tend to use 18 gauge needles, which are massive harpoons (the smaller the number, the bigger the needle), and while they make fluids go quickly, it is a big needle stick. The 20 and 21 gauge needles are a good compromise, so fluids don't take forever, but aren't as nasty of a stick.

Also - has China's BP been checked? Sometimes kitties with CKD have high BP, and once the BP is under control, the CKD can improve.

More vines and prayers....we'll be thinking of both of you tomorrow!
 
Good source for neeeles shopmedvet.com

There are discount coupons that Walgreens will take and you can get a case of fluids for under $35 last I checked. I’ll look for the cards later and send links.
 
Bobbie And Bubba said:
Oh Chris, you have a lot going on! Lots of vines for China's dental tomorrow and your test. :bighug:

Just wondering @Chris & China and @Amy&TrixieCat if there is a down side to using the P binder all the time? Is it expensive or not good to use all the time.
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It's very inexpensive to use. There is the possibility of aluminum toxicity, but from what I understand, you do have to use quite a bit for that to happen. With that said, there is a formula for how much you should use (of course that formula escapes me right now). Tanya's CKD site has great information on binders. In an ideal world, I'd rather see a cat eat a lower phosphorous food and not need a binder, but if you've got a cat like Trix who wouldn't do that, binders are a life saver.
 
Amy&TrixieCat said:
It's very inexpensive to use. There is the possibility of aluminum toxicity, but from what I understand, you do have to use quite a bit for that to happen. With that said, there is a formula for how much you should use (of course that formula escapes me right now). Tanya's CKD site has great information on binders. In an ideal world, I'd rather see a cat eat a lower phosphorous food and not need a binder, but if you've got a cat like Trix who wouldn't do that, binders are a life saver.
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Thanks Amy and good to see you! Hope your world is good. Sorry, Chris for the highjack.
 
@Chris & China prayers dental is uneventful.

I have the chemical stress test because of my back. I don't know if yours will be the same. I was given persantine it's a cardiac drug. Did a slow stroll on the treadmill as it helps with the symptoms of the persantine, which was like having a bad hot flash. Then the scan was done. Took no more than 2 hrs tops. Hope you're is just as easy.

:bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
tiffmaxee said:
What were China’s creatinine and BUN?
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I'll get the bloodwork tomorrow.....the only number I remember her telling me over the phone was the SDMA which went from 9 to 16 in a year

Once I get them I'll add them to her spreadsheet. I do remember her saying something about the Creatine not being a lot worse than it had been

My brain kind of exploded after that and I didn't hear a lot more other than "her phosphorus is too high" and "start her on fluids"
 
I'm so sorry that you have so much to deal with! Maybe take a good book and find a coffee shop near the vet hospital instead of all that driving after your test? Sounds like you deserve some down time with someone bringing you good stuff.

I hope the dental goes well and you and China can watch some good movies and recover together tomorrow night.

When my Cappy and Creek had CKD, I bought the huge container of powdered binder from Thriving Pets and sprinkled on anything they ate. I also have some bottles of amphagel that I'd syringe when we had to assist feed them.

You both will be in my thoughts!
 
Both you and China will be in my thoughts tomorrow. Goodness, Chris, I hope you will keep us posted and not go dark on us. I am sorry to hear about China and CKD, and I sure hope you are going to be able to treat it so she feels good. I will be looking for update tomorrow on both the dental and your stress test. Sending all kinds of positive energies to both of you and the best of wishes.
 
Oh my, Chris! Those health problems are just no fun at all...been there, done that! Please take our prayers and love along with you to the hospital for tests...and for China too! My goodness...all that is enough to make your heart struggle! Take care...and we'll be looking for an update from you as soon as you feel up to it...:bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Missed you Chris :bighug::bighug::bighug: and China too of course. Sending vetty dental vines for China and meddy test vines for you.

Let's see what the b/w says before deciding you need to add binders and start fluids. I had a civvie go from an SDMA of 14 down to 4 a year later. Have you looked at making your own raw food? Adding FoodFurLife's premix to raw was considerably cheaper than purchased raw and actually cheaper than a lot of canned food. And it's low phosphorus like RadCat was. Some vets jump the gun on fluids. As for blood pressure, I expect it should be taken as part of the dental. Ask them to record it and tell you what it was. That's how I got Neko's first successful BP test done.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
Have you looked at making your own raw food?
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I'm not against it, but the problem is finding decent protein sources. Only place to buy meat around here is WalMart

I'd also need to find someone/someplace that would grind it for me.

I've got the sample of EZComplete….been trying to figure out what to try it with (and where to get it)...I guess I could buy some pre-packaged ground chicken at Wally World just to see if she'll eat it at all
 
First, Chris, prayers for you and China tomorrow. Smooth sailing for China's dental and may the day be quick, uneventful and answers for you. :bighug::bighug::cat::cat:

Here is the phos page on Tanya's (Helens) site
http://felinecrf.org/phosphorus.htm

Here is the page on phos binder (includes dosing recommendations)
http://felinecrf.org/phosphorus_binders.htm

Here is the blurb on Aluminum toxcisty
Try not to worry too much. I am only aware of one case of aluminium hydroxide toxicity in cats to date (this cat was given massive doses of aluminium hydroxide, more than twice as much as she would normally be given based upon Dr Nagode's table above), and most cases in dogs have occurred in dogs taking over 200 mg/kg. Updates in feline chronic kidney disease (2008) Langston CL states "Excessive absorption of aluminum can lead to toxicity, including anemia and neurologic symptoms, but this seems uncommon in veterinary practice." In contrast, the dangers of elevated phosphorus control are very real, and very common, and controlling phosphorus is essential for your cat's wellbeing.
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Gizmo has been on Aluminium Hydroxide since 02/07/18 with no adverse side effects. He is on low(er) phos food and the higher dose of binder and his phos level is still higher than I would like (5.5) but holding steady.

Here is where to purchase
http://www.thrivingpets.com/index.php/aluminum-hydroxide-powder-usp-200-gram-jar.html
 
Good luck and healing vines for China on her dental.
And de-stressing vines for you on the upcoming cardio.

You are so lucky to live in beautiful country, but the downside is always the long drives back to civilization:D

My Dad is long gone, but he lived in the Olympic Peninsula before it was more developed, so he had the same experience. It sure was fun to visit him in the big tree country though.
 
Chris & China said:
I'm not against it, but the problem is finding decent protein sources. Only place to buy meat around here is WalMart

I'd also need to find someone/someplace that would grind it for me.



I've got the sample of EZComplete….been trying to figure out what to try it with (and where to get it)...I guess I could buy some pre-packaged ground chicken at Wally World just to see if she'll eat it at all
Click to expand...

When I made Smokey's I purchased meat at grocery since there is no butcher near me. I would cut it into chunks and put it in my mini processor and I mean mini (2 cup) use the pulse option and you can make it any consistency. Or use regular option to puree.
 
Sending prayers and vines for China with her dental, and for you with your stress test.

I don’t know what your stress test will involve, but I had a chemical stress test done a couple of years ago and it wasn’t too bad. I didn’t have to use the treadmill, they just put me on a very hard and uncomfortable table for an unpleasant amount of time; that was the worst of it. If you are having trouble breathing they will probably do a similar test on you. Hope it all goes well! :bighug:
 
Chris & China said:
I'm not against it, but the problem is finding decent protein sources. Only place to buy meat around here is WalMart

I'd also need to find someone/someplace that would grind it for me.

I've got the sample of EZComplete….been trying to figure out what to try it with (and where to get it)...I guess I could buy some pre-packaged ground chicken at Wally World just to see if she'll eat it at all
Click to expand...
Walmart is where Laurie and Carolina, owners of FFL, buy their meats.

Tons and tons of prayers and vines for you and China tomorrow.

:bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
I'm so sorry you have so much going on at the moment with both you and China.
Sending a plane load of Aussie dental vines for China and another plane load of healing vines for you......good luck with the cardiac test. MyDH had one of those chemical stress tests done many years ago and he said he was unaware of his heart beating much faster.

I have found feeding a raw diet to be cheaper than buying canned food.
I gave Sheba a raw food diet when she was diagnosed with early CRD. I didn't grind up any of the meat, I just cut it up into smallish pieces for Sheba to eat. And you wouldn't won't to grind bones to put in because of the phosphorus levels. I used eggshell powder for calcium which is super easy to make and takes 5 minutes, and costs nothing......you get to eat the eggs.
Here is the link to what I did
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/home-prepared-diet-of-crd-cats.150441/

All the best for tomorrow ....will be thinking of you both.....please keep us updated
 
Hi Chris, I'm sorry to hear you have so much going on.
Sending both you and China tons of hugs and vines for your respective procedures and tests tomorrow.
I'll thinking of you both and on the lookout for updates :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
{{{Chris}}}


Just in case you do end up giving China fluids, I highly recommend the fabulous video that Marje did. Not only is it very informative and easy to follow, you get to see the adorable Gus. :woot:

I'm glad Lizzie linked Tanya's site, because if you haven't already checked it out, it is very helpful when dealing with CKD. Harvey had it, you know, and I didn't have to give him fluids until it was quite advanced. Same with Cinco.

Sending truckloads of vines for both of you, along with all the positive thoughts and prayers I can muster.

We'll all be waiting with bated breath for updates, so please post when you are able. You know you have a ton of people praying for you and China, so take some deep breaths and mentally lean on us. :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Sending perfect dental vines to China today :cat:, and I hope your cardio test goes well :bighug:.
Let us know how it goes. I wish you both a relaxing day and evening after all is done.
 
All the best for both of you tomorrow, I hope the timing works out so you can both be done with all the procedures and tests by tomorrow night. Huge hugs to you and China!!!
"Singing the song of her people" LOL, loved that one! Take care Chris :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
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