ladybug991
New Member
Hi all! So she doesn’t have diabetes but it’s hard to find people who might be able to help me and I figured a lot of cushings kitties are diabetic. My cat Ladybug is a 10 year old female who recently got diagnosed with mild/moderate HCM. She just got an echo and has a pro-BNP OF 280. The cardiologist recommends monitoring every 6 months and no meds yet. I do have the full cardiac report and generally I like my regular vets office a lot incl my vet. There are 2 vets I believe at the office.
End of last year she had elevated thyroid hormones (though not to the point of thyroid disease) as well as either a (I believe low but could have been high WBC count) she had a slightly elevated pro bnp.
On a recheck 6 months later she had normal thyroid levels and a normal WBC count. Pro bnp slightly elevated. However she gained 4 pounds.
Recheck about 3 months later- gained about a 1/2 a pound. pro bnp 280. Then saw cardiologist. Haven’t been able to get urine sample as she is too large. Failed at home and vet no longer wants urine sample now that she is drinking normal amount of water (more than 20 ML). However her thirst and appetite and urine have increased although not consistently and thirst is in normal range. She has gotten more talkative (but has always been talkative so it’s hard to tell), more lethargic (though not to an extreme amount and again not consistently), and hides more (though not often). She also has a bigger belly and has lost muscle in her legs and around her spine. She has lost fur on belly and front legs. Skin might be more fragile as well. Breathing is increased but not when sleeping or when resting. Does seem to take a while to get to normal after activity. Hair coat also seems curlier thinner and oilier.
Vet thinks it’s all incidental findings or aging. I haven’t “demanded” cushings tests but have asked for them multiple times and vet has said it’s not necessary.
Don’t wanna subject her to unneeded invasive tests or bring her back to the vet unnecessarily but is there a urine cortisol I could do at home and brine urine in? She hates the pellet urine and won’t pee but I haven’t tried hydrophobic sand yet.
This is hard…. Maybe I’ll try to push my next appointment earlier and schedule when the other vets the one there. I’m trying calming treats supplements and Feliway to see if the hair grows back and it’s stress grooming like the vet thinks. But I haven’t noticed her licking a ton…..
Any thoughts advice or insight appreciated. Ladybug is my baby and I don’t wanna let her down.
End of last year she had elevated thyroid hormones (though not to the point of thyroid disease) as well as either a (I believe low but could have been high WBC count) she had a slightly elevated pro bnp.
On a recheck 6 months later she had normal thyroid levels and a normal WBC count. Pro bnp slightly elevated. However she gained 4 pounds.
Recheck about 3 months later- gained about a 1/2 a pound. pro bnp 280. Then saw cardiologist. Haven’t been able to get urine sample as she is too large. Failed at home and vet no longer wants urine sample now that she is drinking normal amount of water (more than 20 ML). However her thirst and appetite and urine have increased although not consistently and thirst is in normal range. She has gotten more talkative (but has always been talkative so it’s hard to tell), more lethargic (though not to an extreme amount and again not consistently), and hides more (though not often). She also has a bigger belly and has lost muscle in her legs and around her spine. She has lost fur on belly and front legs. Skin might be more fragile as well. Breathing is increased but not when sleeping or when resting. Does seem to take a while to get to normal after activity. Hair coat also seems curlier thinner and oilier.
Vet thinks it’s all incidental findings or aging. I haven’t “demanded” cushings tests but have asked for them multiple times and vet has said it’s not necessary.
Don’t wanna subject her to unneeded invasive tests or bring her back to the vet unnecessarily but is there a urine cortisol I could do at home and brine urine in? She hates the pellet urine and won’t pee but I haven’t tried hydrophobic sand yet.
This is hard…. Maybe I’ll try to push my next appointment earlier and schedule when the other vets the one there. I’m trying calming treats supplements and Feliway to see if the hair grows back and it’s stress grooming like the vet thinks. But I haven’t noticed her licking a ton…..
Any thoughts advice or insight appreciated. Ladybug is my baby and I don’t wanna let her down.
