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#1
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CRF - 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 |
#2
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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. |
#3
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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. |
#4
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"Liz" wrote in message om... 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 |
#5
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"Liz" wrote in message om... 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 |
#6
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He has one kidney much smaller than the other, with a possible stone. Plus
elevated urea and creatinine levels, though not critical. He is also anemic...PCV of 20 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!) he's kind of holding his right paw out at times. But if he had an 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? |
#7
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He has one kidney much smaller than the other, with a possible stone. Plus
elevated urea and creatinine levels, though not critical. He is also anemic...PCV of 20 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!) he's kind of holding his right paw out at times. But if he had an 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? |
#8
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No, not necessarily. A cat (or person) can have a severe infection and still
have a normal temp. Absolutely. A friend of mine had pneumonia and didn't have a fever. |
#9
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No, not necessarily. A cat (or person) can have a severe infection and still
have a normal temp. Absolutely. A friend of mine had pneumonia and didn't have a fever. |
#10
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"Liz" wrote in message m... No, not necessarily. A cat (or person) can have a severe infection and still have a normal temp. Absolutely. A friend of mine had pneumonia and didn't have a fever. There are a bunch of pneumonias, & as I understand it, there is one kind of pneumonia which is not associated w/ a fever. However, most pneumonias are. Cathy -- "Staccato signals of constant information..." ("The Boy in the Bubble") Paul Simon |
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