Sick Cat

[kymom99]

No, it's not excessive - it's about normal really, or maybe slightly reduced. She does drink though.

I hope you get some answers. I know it’s so stressful!

 

[BrianL]

She just napped for a while and she ate some treats pretty well. She is uninterested in the babyfood - not that I can blame her!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I wouldn’t be super worried about her kidneys if her recent bloodwork was ok and if she’s peeing. Is she drinking? ETA Never mind, I saw you said she is drinking. That’s good. At this point I think you could either watchfully wait, or take her back in. If I went in, I probably wouldn’t want to give her much more than SQ fluids, though, and maybe run more bloodwork to make sure things are still ok. They might offer additional testing like XRays, which could be helpful in either showing something, or nothing. Bodies have an amazing way of working their way back to homeostasis, but it can take some time as long as nothing else is going on. The key is trying to figure that out in an animal.

 

[BrianL]

I wouldn’t be super worried about her kidneys if her recent bloodwork was ok and if she’s peeing. Is she drinking? ETA Never mind, I saw you said she is drinking. That’s good. At this point I think you could either watchfully wait, or take her back in. If I went in, I probably wouldn’t want to give her much more than SQ fluids, though, and maybe run more bloodwork to make sure things are still ok. They might offer additional testing like XRays, which could be helpful in either showing something, or nothing. Bodies have an amazing way of working their way back to homeostasis, but it can take some time as long as nothing else is going on. The key is trying to figure that out in an animal.

The vet did do some x-rays, so I'm not sure what else he can look for. On the second one he noted that her stomach was very empty, but she did have to not have food because of the sedation that day.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

It was Friday. The plan was to do a dental cleaning because we had done an in-house bloodwork panel and it looked okay. He gave her a little more steroid and the oral antibiotice - assumption that she would get better quickly with that. When that didn't happen, he used the dental opportunity to really check her teeth (I've been putting off a dental for a while now). They looked good though, but the x-rays were concerning so he wanted to send out the full, comprehensive blood panel. It checks for everything! That came back normal though, but she had been given shots of antibiotic, steroid, and anti-nausea as well on Friday. The anti-Nausea probably had her feeling better on Saturday and most of Sunday, but it only lasts a day or so, so she backslid. The frontrunner right now is that it is nausea related - the cause may be those 10 day antibiotics she got (the shot is called a "convenience" or "long acting" and costs ten times what oral antibiotics cost, but with a cat that is difficult it's a good option). We may just need this to pass.

I must’ve missed this part. What was concerning on the X-rays?

 

[TLSnell1981]

Actually peeing a lot is not a good sign. Not trying to scare you, just pointing out that kidney failure manifests itself as excessive thirst and a lot of peeing. Bloodwork would have shown that though.

Although it could’ve developed AFTER bloodwork and exam. So it can’t be ruled out. Since she’s been under the weather I would give her some chicken broth. If she will eat it…chicken and rice soup will help her feel better. It could also improve her appetite and really is good for someone who is sick or on the mend. I can’t stress enough how quickly a cat can take a downwards turn.

 

[BrianL]

I must’ve missed this part. What was concerning on the X-rays?

I believe it was because of how empty her stomach was at the time.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

She been food-restricted since the night before in preparation for sedation, so her stomach should have been empty. That’s the whole point. Sometimes doctors just kinda talk out loud while they’re going over images. Like, “Liver looks fine, she has a big bladder.” That doesn’t necessarily mean there’s something wrong with the bladder, it just means the cat has to pee. So, he may have mentioned the stomach was empty without meaning anything by it. If he was concerned that her stomach was empty after being held without food for 12+ hours, maybe it’s time for a new vet.

 

[BrianL]

She been food-restricted since the night before in preparation for sedation, so her stomach should have been empty. That’s the whole point. Sometimes doctors just kinda talk out loud while they’re going over images. Like, “Liver looks fine, she has a big bladder.” That doesn’t necessarily mean there’s something wrong with the bladder, it just means the cat has to pee. So, he may have mentioned the stomach was empty without meaning anything by it. If he was concerned that her stomach was empty after being held without food for 12+ hours, maybe it’s time for a new vet.

Well, I think he may have been talking out loud, but I did mention that she had not been allowed to eat and he seemed to think it was still rather extreme.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Actually peeing a lot is not a good sign. Not trying to scare you, just pointing out that kidney failure manifests itself as excessive thirst and a lot of peeing. Bloodwork would have shown that though.

Just wondering if this was your personal experience or something? Because generally, signs of kidney failure are low or no urine output. I have never seen increased urine output in kidney failure with the exception of possibly some other unusual conditions, or on purpose via medications.

https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/urinary/c_ct_oliguria_anuria

Not trying to criticize, but it’s important that Brian gets correct information here.

Agree that bloodwork would’ve shown if there was a problem with the kidneys, though. (Although things could’ve worsened since that initial bloodwork was drawn, but probably unlikely in absence of something serious going on.)

 

[TLSnell1981]

Just wondering if this was your personal experience or something? Because generally, signs of kidney failure are low or no urine output. I have never seen increased urine output in kidney failure with the exception of possibly some other unusual conditions, or on purpose via medications.

https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/urinary/c_ct_oliguria_anuria

Not trying to criticize, but it’s important that Brian gets correct information here.

Polyuria...Excessive urination can be due to infection, kidney disease/failure/damage, medication, diabetes.

 

[BrianL]

Agree that bloodwork would’ve shown if there was a problem with the kidneys, though. (Although things could’ve worsened since that initial bloodwork was drawn, but probably unlikely in absence of something serious going on.)

This blood panel was drawn on Friday.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Polyuria...Excessive urination can be due to infection, kidney disease/failure/damage, medication, diabetes.

Sure to some you’ve listed, but the post I quoted specifically said kidney failure.

We probably all know that diabetes can cause polyuria.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Sure to some you’ve listed, but the post I quoted specifically said kidney failure.

We probably all know that diabetes can cause polyuria.

Symptoms of chronic kidney failure can include increased urination.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

Just wondering if this was your personal experience or something? Because generally, signs of kidney failure are low or no urine output. I have never seen increased urine output in kidney failure with the exception of possibly some other unusual conditions, or on purpose via medications.

https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/urinary/c_ct_oliguria_anuria

Not trying to criticize, but it’s important that Brian gets correct information here.

Agree that bloodwork would’ve shown if there was a problem with the kidneys, though. (Although things could’ve worsened since that initial bloodwork was drawn, but probably unlikely in absence of something serious going on.)

Their kidneys don’t concentrate the urine properly and animals with chronic kidney failure absolutely flood their litter box, need frequent trips outside, etc. We tend to see more urination with kidney failure animals than less. In fact, I can only recall a few oliguric cases in my years of veterinary medicine; it’s almost always the other way around.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

Well, I think he may have been talking out loud, but I did mention that she had not been allowed to eat and he seemed to think it was still rather extreme.

Okay, then what is his plan for investigating that further? Or a even just follow up rads or something?

 

[BrianL]

Okay, then what is his plan for investigating that further? Or a even just follow up rads or something?

He wanted to see her in two weeks, but I think it may have to be sooner. I have a call into him now.

 

[kymom99]

Just wondering if this was your personal experience or something? Because generally, signs of kidney failure are low or no urine output. I have never seen increased urine output in kidney failure with the exception of possibly some other unusual conditions, or on purpose via medications.

https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/urinary/c_ct_oliguria_anuria

Not trying to criticize, but it’s important that Brian gets correct information here.

Agree that bloodwork would’ve shown if there was a problem with the kidneys, though. (Although things could’ve worsened since that initial bloodwork was drawn, but probably unlikely in absence of something serious going on.)

I’ve had 3 cats die of kidney failure. Back and forth to the litter pan. Not a lot of output but very frequent urination.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I’ve had 3 cats die of kidney failure. Back and forth to the litter pan. Not a lot of output but very frequent urination.

That’s probably it, they were probably trying to go, but not making a lot of urine. I’ve been a nurse for over 35 yrs and take care of many people with kidney failure. I just wanted to clarify so people get the right information here.

If anyone has questions, see link above.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

That’s probably it, they were probably trying to go, but not making a lot of urine. I’ve been a nurse for over 35 yrs and take care of many people with kidney failure. I just wanted to clarify so people get the right information here.

If anyone has questions, see link above.

Their kidneys aren’t concentrating properly so they’re producing too much urine and becoming dehydrated in the process. To make up for the losses, they drink more. Then the cycle continues. Chronic renal failure patients will sometimes just park themselves in front of the water bowl drinking, peeing, drinking, peeing… They always have to pee and it’s in larger quantities than a healthy animal produces.