Tanya's Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic Kidney Disease


		DIAGNOSIS SECTION OVERVIEW: WHAT DO ALL THOSE TEST RESULTS MEAN?
HOME HOME Site Overview Just Diagnosed? What You Need to Know First Search This Site WHAT IS CKD? What Happens in CKD Causes of CKD How Bad is It? Is There Any Hope? Acute Kidney Injury KEY ISSUES: PROLONGING LIFE Phosphorus Control Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) Proteinuria Anaemia Potassium Imbalances Pyelonephritis (Kidney Infections) and Urinary Tract Infections NEW Metabolic Acidosis Kidney Stones KEY ISSUES: HELPING YOUR CAT FEEL BETTER Nausea, Vomiting, Appetite Loss and Excess Stomach Acid Maintaining Hydration The B Vitamins (Including Methylcobalamin) Constipation CAT FOOD DATA Ways of Assessing Food Content, Including What is Dry Matter Analysis How to Use the Food Data Tables USA Canned Food Data USA Dry Food Data USA Cat Food Brands: Helpfulness Ratings USA Cat Food Brands: Contact Details USA Food Data Book SUPPORT Coping with CKD Tanya's Support Group Success Stories SYMPTOMS Important: Crashing Alphabetical List of Symptoms and Treatments Fluid and Urinary Imbalances (Dehydration, Overhydration and Urinary Issues) Waste Product Regulation Imbalances (Vomiting, Appetite Loss, Excess Stomach Acid, Gastro-intestinal Problems, Mouth Ulcers Etc.) Phosphorus and Calcium Imbalances Miscellaneous Symptoms (Pain, Hiding Etc.) DIAGNOSIS: WHAT DO ALL THE TEST RESULTS MEAN? Early Detection Blood Chemistry: Kidney Function, Potassium, Other Tests (ALT, Amylase, (Cholesterol, Etc.) Calcium, Phosphorus, Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) and Secondary Hyperparathyroidism Complete Blood Count (CBC): Red and White Blood Cells: Anaemia and Infection Urinalysis (Urine Tests) Other Tests: Ultrasound, Biopsy, X-rays etc. Renomegaly (Enlarged Kidneys) Which Tests to Have and Frequency of Testing Factors that Affect Test Results Normal Ranges International and US Measuring Systems TREATMENTS Which Treatments are Essential Fluid and Urinary Issues (Fluid Retention, Infections, Incontinence, Proteinuria) Waste Product Regulation (Mouth Ulcers, GI Bleeding, Antioxidants, Adsorbents, Azodyl, Astro's CRF Oil) Phosphorus, Calcium and Secondary Hyperparathyroidism (Calcitriol) Phosphorus Binders Steroids, Stem Cell Transplants and Kidney Transplants Antibiotics and Painkillers Holistic Treatments (Including Slippery Elm Bark) ESAs (Aranesp, Epogen etc.) for Severe Anaemia General Health Issues in a CKD Cat: Fleas, Arthritis, Dementia, Vaccinations Tips on Medicating Your Cat Obtaining Supplies Cheaply in the UK, USA and Canada Working with Your Vet and Recordkeeping DIET & NUTRITION Nutritional Requirements of CKD Cats The B Vitamins (Including Methylcobalamin) What to Feed (and What to Avoid) Persuading Your Cat to Eat 2007 Food Recall USA FLUID THERAPY Oral Fluids Intravenous Fluids Subcutaneous Fluids Tips on Giving Subcutaneous Fluids How to Give Subcutaneous Fluids with a Giving Set How to Give Subcutaneous Fluids with a Syringe Subcutaneous Fluids - Winning Your Vet's Support Dialysis RELATED DISEASES Heart Problems Hyperthyroidism Diabetes Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Pancreatitis Dental Problems Anaesthesia OBTAINING SUPPLIES CHEAPLY UK USA Online USA Local (Fluids) Canada SAYING GOODBYE The Final Hours Other People's Losses Coping with Your Loss MISCELLANEOUS Prevention Feline CKD Research, Including Participation Opportunities CKD Research in Other Species Share This Site: A Notice for Your Vet's Bulletin Board or Your Local Pet Shop Canine Kidney Disease Other Illnesses (Cancer, Liver) and Behavioural Problems Diese Webseite auf Deutsch SITEOWNER (HELEN) My Three CKD Cats: Tanya, Thomas and Ollie Find Me on Facebook Follow Me on Twitter Contact Me		Home > Diagnosis Overview Some vets will tell you your cat has CKD based on the symptoms which your cat is exhibiting. They may well be right, but many of the symptoms of CKD, such as increased thirst and weight-loss, can also be symptoms of other diseases. Therefore, to be completely sure you are dealing with CKD, you really need to have tests run to confirm the diagnosis. The various test results will also tell you and your vet where any imbalances exist, which will help you to decide on the best treatments. Most vets use the blood chemistry panel to check kidney function. They may then do additional tests to look for infections or anaemia or other problems. This section contains pages covering the following topics: Which Tests to Have, and How Often This page covers: Information about the various tests available and which to have. Frequency of testing and what to do if your cat hates the vet. Go to page Normal Ranges, and Factors Affecting Test Results This page covers: Information about factors which may affect test results (fasting, lipaemia, clumping platelets or haemolysis). Typical normal ranges for tests, and veterinary links about test results. How to convert international values to US values. Go to page Blood Chemistry Panel This is a blood test, and is the most common test run on cats suspected of having CKD. This page covers: Kidney function: BUN (urea) and creatinine, BUN:creatinine ratio, SDMA test, azotaemia and uraemia. Potassium and sodium Magnesium Total protein (albumin and globulin)Miscellaneous tests: CK, cholesterol, glucose, amylase, ALT Go to page Complete Blood Count (CBC) for Anaemia and Infection or Inflammation This is also a type of blood test, and is commonly run on cats who are suspected to be anaemic or to have an infection. This page covers: Red Blood Cells: see the Anaemia page for more detailed information White Blood Cells: Neutrophils Eosonophils Lymphocytes Monocytes Go to page Urinalysis (Urine Tests) Sometimes vets also test your cat's urine. The USG test can be used to help confirm the CKD diagnosis. Urine tests may also be performed to check for specific problems, e.g. urinary tract infections. This page covers: Obtaining urine samples Urine specific gravity (USG) Osmolality Haematuria (blood in urine) Proteinuria Urine protein:creatinine ratio Urine pH Glucose Go to page Minerals (Phosphorus and Calcium) These are measured in a blood test. Phosphorus and calcium are commonly checked in a routine blood test but PTH (and ionised calcium) can only be checked via specialised tests. This page covers: Phosphorus Calcium (including ionised calcium) Parathyroid hormone (PTH) Secondary hyperparathyroidism Go to page Other Tests There are a number of other tests which may be performed. This page covers: Faecal occult blood test (for gastrointestinal bleeding) Palpation Oral check (for dental problems and mouth ulcers) Ultrasound X-rays Intravenous pyelogram (IVP) Planar renal scintigraphy Biopsy Renomegaly (enlarged kidneys) Go to page Top of Page This page last updated: 09 June 2022
		*** TREATING YOUR CAT WITHOUT VETERINARY ADVICE CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I have tried very hard to ensure that the information provided in this website is accurate, but I am NOT a vet, just an ordinary person who has lived through CKD with three cats. This website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to be used to diagnose or treat any cat. Before trying any of the treatments described herein, you MUST consult a qualified veterinarian and obtain professional advice on the correct regimen for your cat and his or her particular requirements; and you should only use any treatments described here with the full knowledge and approval of your vet. No responsibility can be accepted. If your cat appears to be in pain or distress, do not waste time on the internet, contact your vet immediately. *** Copyright © Tanya's Feline CKD Website 2000-2022. All rights reserved. This site was created using Microsoft software, and therefore it is best viewed in Internet Explorer. I know it doesn't always display too well in other browsers, but I'm not an IT expert so I'm afraid I don't know how to change that. I would love it to display perfectly everywhere, but my focus is on making the information available. When I get time, I'll try to improve how it displays in other browsers. This site is a labour of love. Please do not steal from me by taking credit for my work. If you wish to link to this site, please feel free to do so. Please make it clear that this is a link and not your own work. I would appreciate being informed of your link. This site is a labour of love, from which I do not make a penny. Please do not steal from me by taking credit for my work. If you wish to link to this site, please feel free to do so. Please make it clear that this is a link and not your own work. I would appreciate being informed of your link.