12/26 Izzy amps 230

12/25 condo

 

Morning Janet...
I was wondering too , along with Marje, about the leg.
I don't think that is diabetes related. Perhaps there is another underlying condition for her that hasn't been discovered. Marje will have better input than I would.
Scritches to Izzy.

 

Cats with CKD can lose an enormous amount of muscle mass. But in the four cats I have had with CKD, while they lost a lot of weight, I never saw that kind of atrophy. I also haven't seen it here but that doesn't mean it can't happen. I suppose if she had bad neuropathy and wouldn't use the leg, it's possible but that's extreme.

I have to wonder if there is also some kind of metabolic acidosis (related to CKD) going on because that can result in severe muscle wasting.

 

Janet --

Has your vet seen Izzy's leg? I'd be surprised if it's diabetes related unless there's potentially a circulatory issue. I'd really get this looked at and if your vet doesn't have any answers beyond telling you it's atrophied, get a referral to a specialist -- maybe a veterinary orthopedist. Washington State University does have a Veterinary Orthopedics clinic.

 

Yes the vet has seen it. She is in the clinic a Lot WSU is 327 miles from us. I don't see us making that trek.

She has arthritis in the leg (I was giving her Adequan for the past year or so). She has been stiff for some time. Then when she had her 800 bg issue where she could not walk... And now she does very limited walking I figured it was a combo of the CRF, diabetes and arthritis.

I can certainly ask for a referral. I suspect with all 3 of those issues I'm going to be paying a lot of money for some non answers unless have some specific ideas?

Other than acidosis Marie referenced.... Anything I should be asking? Any test I should be specifically asking for? I will be taking her for another set of blood values probably next week to see if her phosphorus is doing anything with that increase in aluminum hydroxide.

So please chime in on what tests or questions so I can make a list.

 

Has the vet taken x-rays? If so, your vet can probably send digital pictures to an orthopedic specialist as a consultation. The other thing that is always possible is to call WSU and ask for the names of orthopedists in your area. There is a veterinary orthopedics professional association. They didn't have a "find a vet" link on their site. It may be possible to call them for referrals, as well.

From some skimming of information that's around, atrophy could be related to nervous system issues, a spinal compression, or a fracture.

 

I think Siennes idea is a great one. Your vet could X-ray it and then send it off for a consult. The other thing is your vet could post the photo and her history on the VIN (veterinary information network) and see if any of the specialists there have seen this.