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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / August 2003CRF - Speed of deterioration
Hi again! I posted earlier about my cat's extreme lethargy. My vet has ruled out hemobartonella as a cause of Timothy's decline, and is now thinking that it is probably kidney related. My question is, would it be unusual to see a cat go from perky/chasing birds to practically immobile within *one* week if the condition were CRF? Thanks. Toni In your earlier post I believe you wrote that blood tests and x-ray did not reveal anything wrong with his kidneys - is that right? How is the cat? Does he have a fever? Is he eating? Did you get the result for bartonella? Is lethargy his only symptom? Problem with lethargy is that it can be too many things. I don't like guessing games. If this vet does not know what he has, why not try another vet? Is he getting worse or is he stable? Are you giving him any meds at all? Meanwhile, see if you find any cuts on his skin. It's not easy to see cuts so give him a gentle massage to see if you feel any swollen or hardened area on or under his skin. Check if he feels any pain as you go. > In your earlier post I believe you wrote that blood tests and x-ray > did not reveal anything wrong with his kidneys - is that right? He has one kidney much smaller than the other, with a possible stone. Plus elevated urea and creatinine levels, though not critical. >How is > the cat? Does he have a fever? No fever, not that I can feel anyway (his ears are cool) >Is he eating? Yes, though I have to bring his food bowl to him. >Did you get the result > for bartonella? It was negative. I found this out right after I picked up his prescription for tetracycline! I have to say I was disappointed, that would have made things more definite. The vet said his prognosis is guarded. >Is lethargy his only symptom? He is also anemic...PCV of 20 Problem with lethargy is > that it can be too many things. I don't like guessing games. If this > vet does not know what he has, why not try another vet? I do like this vet. He's investigating many avenues, talking to the people in pathology. It may be that his kidney isn't releasing the hormone to create red blood cells. They're going to culture his urine, if I can get him to the vet before he has his morning visit to the litterbox (not likely, since they only open at 10:00 am on a Saturday!) Is he getting > worse or is he stable? Are you giving him any meds at all? He seems pretty stable...there was some loud purring tonight (yay!), which I haven't heard in a couple of days. I'm praying it's a reaction to the vaccine. He looks fine, alert, he's just not moving. > Meanwhile, see if you find any cuts on his skin. It's not easy to see > cuts so give him a gentle massage to see if you feel any swollen or > hardened area on or under his skin. Check if he feels any pain as you > go. he's kind of holding his right paw out at times. But if he had an infection, wouldn't he have a fever? Thanks for the input. It's nice to have somewhere to ask questions and get support and feedback. Toni > He has one kidney much smaller than the other, with a possible stone. Plus > elevated urea and creatinine levels, though not critical. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > infection, wouldn't he have a fever? > Toni If his urea and creatine are elevated, it's a good idea to check his blood pH. If the pH is low (<7.8), you need to fix that urgently. Lower blood pH causes protein catabolism (elevating urea) and bone dissolution - probably interfering with production of new red blood cells (anemia) and increasing mineral load on kidneys. Are his blood levels of calcium and phosphorus within normal range? Most feeds today are acidified to prevent struvites. So you'd need to switch him to a neutral food like a kidney diet or a canned diet that is not acidified (IMO, canned is a must for CRF, ARF (acute RF), or a cat with history of uroliths). What are you feeding him now? You did not mention if you are giving him any meds. Some meds can cause ARF or anemia. Has he been holding out his right paw at times since he became lethargic? Has the vet examined his paw or x-rayed it? Does he limp when he walks? The lethargy may be primarily because of the paw - he may be feeling more pain than he shows. I found a very nice text discussing feline anemia and possible causes. It's at http://www.drpetra.com/Cats/Anemia%20in%20Cats.htm I believe you took him in again today. Any news? >Are his blood > levels of calcium and phosphorus within normal range? They'll test again on Monday...I'll request a printout of the results. >Most feeds today > are acidified to prevent struvites. So you'd need to switch him to a > neutral food like a kidney diet or a canned diet that is not acidified > (IMO, canned is a must for CRF, ARF (acute RF), or a cat with history > of uroliths). What are you feeding him now? He's been on dry food only since I got him, but I've been giving him some wet for the past few days. He seems to prefer dry. > You did not mention if you are giving him any meds. Some meds can > cause ARF or anemia. He's not on any meds. He's always been pretty healthy (he's only 6!) >Has he been holding out his right paw at times > since he became lethargic? Has the vet examined his paw or x-rayed it? No, it's something that seems to have gotten worse over the past few days. I'll have to get him to walk for the vet. He "sprained" his paw in a fight with the neighbourhood bully cat last year. He hopped around on three legs no problem > Does he limp when he walks? The lethargy may be primarily because of > the paw - he may be feeling more pain than he shows. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > I believe you took him in again today. Any news? I didn't take him in yesterday because he used his litter box. I deferred it to Monday, when the vet opens at 8:30 instead of 10. I don't want to traumatise the cat any more than necessary by not letting him go pee whenever he wants! Plus there was a sign of improvement....Timothy jumped up on my bed and started purring loudly, and seemed very alert. Today, it's back to the way it was. So Monday at 8:30 it is. I'll get them to do the full blood work. do you think this list of things to look into is complete enough? blood pH calcium and phosphate levels creatinine urea potassium PCV CBC Is there anything I should add? Toni > do you think this list of things to look into is complete > enough? [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Toni Yes, the most important: total carbon dioxide. This will tell you if his blood is acidic and correcting metabolic acidosis is critical. |
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