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Diseases Cats Can Get- Page 2

Cats can acquire diseases specific to cats, such as feline leukemia, but also non-contagious diseases or conditions that humans can develop, such as asthma, diabetes, and kidney disease, to name a few.   Below is information and links to some diseases cats can come down with.

This Page: Chronic Renal Failure (Kidney Disease)   Diabetes

Other pages: 

Asthma   Cancer (including Mammary tumors)

Feline Leukemia Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)   Feline Infectious

Peritonitis (FIP)   Hepatic Lipidosis (Fatty Liver Disease)   Hyperthyroidism

   Liver Diseases

What's Up with My Cat?

Answers and advice on your pet's symptoms


Chronic Renal Failure (Kidney Disease)

Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) is a disease of the kidneys. It is ultimately terminal, however with prompt and proper treatment, most cats with CRF can do very well for a long time, even many years.

The most telling, initial signs of Chronic Renal Failure are increased thirst (polydipsia) and excessive urination (polyuria). You might notice larger than usual urine clumps in the litter box, if you use clumping litter. You may see your cat lifting his rear while urinating, overshooting the sides of the litter box. The cat will do that to keep the urine from pooling around his feet as he is urinating an overly large amount at one time.

As the condition progresses, the cat may experience nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, weight loss, poor hair coat and emaciation. It can be hard to tell a cat is emaciated just by looking at it, particulary a longer haired, fluffy cat. But if you feel the cats body under the fur you can tell the cat is emaciated when all you feel is skin and bones!

Since only 30% of kidney capacity is needed for normal functioning, no symptoms will be seen until approximately 70% of renal function is lost. It is important to begin treatment as soon as the first symptoms appear, since by then, the cat has no reserves left and will die soon without treatment.

Creatinine and BUN are the two most important elements of the blood test for cats with CRF. When these are elevated and the urine is dilute, the cat is most probably in chronic renal failure.

Normal ranges may vary somewhat depending upon the lab.  In general:

Normal BUN in cats: 16.0  - 36.0 mg/dl    Normal Creatinine: 0.8-2.4

Read the diary of Galen's diagnoses of CRF and treatment at Galen.  He went from a near death, emaciated cat to a cat that seems totally healthy, after getting proper treatment.

Links with detailed, important information:

Feline Kidney Disease by Dr. Derek Duval, VMD http://www.netpets.com/cats/reference/info/catkidney.html

http://www.manhattancats.com/Articles/CRF.html An excerpt: "Fluid therapy remains an important part of the treatment for renal failure.  In an attempt to rid their bodies of toxins, cats with CRF will urinate more often, and they need to take in more water in order to maintain hydration.  Dehydration reduces the blood volume and consequently, the blood flow to the kidneys becomes reduced, further impairing kidney function.  Some cats require hospitalization and intravenous fluid therapy.  While there are ways to encourage additional water intake (feeding canned food rather than dry food, adding water or broth to the food), a few cats may require additional therapy in the form of subcutaneous (under the skin) fluids administered .."

Tanya's Feline Chronic Renal Failure Information Center http://www.felinecrf.org/

*Nadia's CRF Homepage (This is an excellent, extremely helpful site, a must see if you have a cat with CRF.)  http://www.geocities.com/nadiacrfsite/

http://www.catclinicofroswell.com/medicalhandouts/detail.aspx?handoutid=7

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_chronic_renal_failure.html

http://www.manhattancats.com/Articles/CRF.html 

Giving Sub-q Fluids:

http://www.weirdstuffwemake.com/weird/stuff/pets/cats/sophia/catjuice.html  A great personal site by a person who did sub-q fluids at home, with photographs of all the steps and photographs of all the needed supplies and how to set everything up. 

Interpreting blood tests and normal ranges: http://www.felinecrf.com/tests0.htm

Definitions of hematology blood test results in cats: http://felidaeworld.com/hematology.html

Why Terumo needles are the best and better to use:

Terumo needles have thinner walls that those of other brand needles. This allows for a faster flow of fluids in corresponding sized needle of other brands. Also, Terumo needles seem sharper, and do go in the cat's skin easier. Read more details in the article below:

http://home1.gte.net/~vze2r6qt/supplies/AboutNeedles.htm

Online veterinary supply stores to order Sub-q supplies (cheaper than what most vets charge):

Lambriar Vet Supply. Their site is a little hard to navigate, see particular links below:

For Terumo needles (some states require a prescription, but not all do.) Terumo needles are the best to use.

The venoset (tubing connecting fluids to needle- no prescription needed in some states)

Fabulous syringes for dispensing liquid medicines or paste like supplements such as Nutrical- has a silicone O-Ring seal that slides much easier than those with the rubber tip. These really are better: O-Ring syringes

Brico Medical Supplies  http://www.bricomedicalsupplies.com/CRFpage.html (they require a prescription for needles, venosets and fluids.)

Listings of other places to get supplies:

http://home1.gte.net/~vze2r6qt/supplies/compare.htm#Top

Fluid, Electrolyte and Acid-Base Disorders in Small Animal Practicealt

This comprehensive resource brings together cutting edge information about fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base physiology and fluid therapy as they apply to small animal practice. It also offers complete coverage of relevant physiology and pathophysiology, as well as important information for interpreting and analyzing biochemical test results.

Diet Information

Phosphorus levels in food have been found to be of greater importance than the protein levels, though protein levels are also an important consideration. If a cat has borderline kidney problems and is not at the point of needing a prescription diet for managing Chronic Renal Failure, one might try serving a commercial cat food with the lowest phosphorous percentages than other commercial cat foods. (Most cat food lables do not give the phosphorus information, so contacting the manufacturer is necessary to find that information.) Then, have blood work done again after a few months to see if there was a positive effect.

Lists of cat foods giving protein, phosphorous and other nutrient percentages:

Feline Diabetes

Diabetes is a disorder affecting the processing of glucose (blood sugar) in the body, in which a body either doesn't produce or doesn't properly use the hormone insulin.  Cats can develop diabetes, just as humans can.  And like humans, cats can be treated for diabetes, living a normal, happy, healthy life.

Diabetes can affect any cat, but it most often occurs in older, obese cats. When insulin is deficient or ineffective, the cat's body starts breaking down fat and protein stores to use as alternative energy sources. As a result, the cat eats more yet loses weight. Additionally, the cat develops high levels of sugar in the bloodstream, which is eliminated in the urine. In turn, sugar in the urine leads to excessive urination and thirst. The common signs of diabetes are:

Ravenous appetite, weight loss, increased urination, and increased water consumption.

Diabetes is diagnosed based on the cat's signs, physical examination findings, laboratory test results, and the persistent presence of abnormally high levels of sugar in the blood and urine. Once diabetes has been diagnosed, immediate treatment is necessary. Left untreated, diabetes will shorten a cat's lifespan. A dangerous, sometimes fatal condition called ketoacidosis may develop, indicated by loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, weakness, dehydration, and breathing abnormalities. Additionally, diabetes can lead to an unhealthy skin and coat, liver disease, and secondary bacterial infections. (From http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/)

Some cats can be treated with oral medications, while others require insulin injections. The injections can be given at home, which most cats don't even notice.  The needles are super-small, with the injection given under the skin.

Links with information about Feline Diabetes:

http://www.manhattancats.com/Articles/Diabetes.html

Living with a Diabetic Cat http://www.cathealth.com/LivewithDiabetes.htm

http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/diabetes.html

http://www.sugarcats.net/sites/dmstrickland/felinediabetesflyer.htm

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_diabetes_mellitus.html

http://www.felinediabetes.com/

Giving Your Cat Insulin Injections (with photographs and a video demonstrating the procedure: http://www.cathealth.com/InsulinInjectionProced.htm

How to Test your Cat's Blood Glucose at Home: http://www.sugarcats.net/sites/harry/bgtest.htm

One Touch Ultra LifeScan Meter Kit- LifeScan

ONE TOUCH Ultra requires only a tiny blood sample so you can use a shallow stick and extra fine ONE TOUCH® UltraSoft lancets. Accurate results in just 5 seconds.

Diabetic Neuropathy (decrease in nerve function often affecting the lower limbs in people and animals with diabetes)

In cats, signs of Diabetic Neuropathy are:

  • Weak hind legs
  • Feet slipping out from under him/her on the floor
  • Walking down on the hocks in back and/or on the wrists in front
  • Lying down more frequently, especially after short walks

METHYLCOBALAMIN, which is a form of vitamin B12, has shown great benefit to cats (and people) with diabetic neuropathy and other neuromuscular diseases. It is sometimes referred to as Methyl-B12.  Methylcobalamin is not the same vitamin B12 sold in drug stores and supermarkets. Not all vets are aware that Methylcobalamin can help cats with diabetic neuropathy, but it does.  Cats can take 1.5 to 5 milligrams per day.  Read Jasper's Story for more detailed information on using Methyl-B12 for cats with diabetic neuropathy.

Jasper's Story- "Just 2 days after starting the methylcobalamin, Jasper stood up on his own. This was amazing, considering that he was unable to move at all before starting the vitamin." http://www.laurieulrich.com/jasper

Posts from a W. V. Cats forum user whose cat was walking on his hocks due to Diabetic Neuropathy:

"Margaret had told me about a vitamin to give FB when his diabetic neuropathy got so bad. It is a B12, but not the kind you buy in the drug store. She would have to refresh my memory on the certain kind because FB no longer needs it and I stopped giving it to him a few months ago. When I told the vet about this B12, he was very skeptical but said it can't hurt because it is a natural vitamin. But oh boy did this help!!! He now walks on his toes again and if he gets bad again with the neuropathy, I will get more and give it to him. The vet had told me that nothing could really help the neuropathy, but he was wrong and he told me after he saw how it helped FB."

"Margaret, even the vet could not believe what a difference that the B12 made in FB. I gave it to him for about 2 months day and night and the difference was amazing!! When I told the vet about it....I even printed out your post and research on it...he tried his best to be gentle with me. He said not to believe everything I read on the internet, the the neuropathy wasn't going to go away because it is nerve DAMAGE. He asked me to email him several times a week with a report on how FB was doing. He still didn't believe me until I took him in for a check-up and he saw for himself. He was amazed. He did say it could return because FB is still diabetic, but admitted that the B12 did the trick. You will never know how grateful I am that you can do searches like that."
_________________
Cindy

http://wvcatsforum.forumup.com/viewtopic.php?t=464&start=8&mforum=wvcatsforum

More information on feline diabetic neuropathy:

http://www.delano.com/ReferenceArticles/Xobaline-for-Diabetic.html

http://www.felinediabetes.com/weak-back-rear-legs.htm

Neuro B-12, Methylcobalamin 1mg Sublingual Tablet (1 mg, 60 small sublingual tablets)

The sublingual form dissolves under the tongue. However, cats might not cooperate with that and probably need it administered as with any pill.  This product has no salicylates, yeast, dairy, corn, soy, wheat, starch, salt, or artificial preservatives.

Source Naturals - Methylcobalamin, 1 mg, 120 tablets
Sublinual. Cherry flavor. Does Not Contain: Yeast, dairy, egg, gluten, soy, wheat, salt, preservatives or artificial color, flavor, or fragrance.

 

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