Tanya

 

 

 

 

TANYA'S

COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO

FELINE CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE

 

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SYMPTOMS OF PHOSPHORUS AND CALCIUM IMBALANCES

 

     

ON THIS PAGE:


Symptoms of Calcium Imbalances


Symptoms of Phosphorus Imbalances


 

 

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WHAT IS CKD?


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KEY ISSUES: PROLONGING LIFE


Phosphorus Control


Hypertension

(High Blood Pressure)


Proteinuria


Anaemia


Potassium Imbalances


Pyelonephritis (Kidney Infections) and Urinary Tract Infections NEW


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KEY ISSUES: HELPING YOUR CAT FEEL BETTER


Nausea, Vomiting, Appetite Loss and Excess Stomach Acid


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The B Vitamins (Including Methylcobalamin)


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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


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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


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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


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Home > Symptoms > Phosphorus and Calcium imbalances

 


Overview


  • Phosphorus and calcium are minerals essential to bodily function.


Symptoms of Calcium Imbalances


 

Hypercalcaemia (High Calcium Levels)


The symptoms of hypercalcaemia tend to be neurological or related to the kidneys or cardiovascular system. Hypercalcemia in cats (2001) Chew D Presentation to the World Small Animal Veterinary Association World Congress says "The most common clinical signs associated with hypercalcemia in cats are anorexia and lethargy (88%), followed by GI signs, polyuria/polydipsia, urinary, and neurologic signs. Vomiting and polyuria/polydipsia are reported much less commonly in cats with hypercalcemia, as compared to dogs. The magnitude of hypercalcemia is not related to the clinical signs."

 

Hypercalcemia in dogs and cats (2016) Peterson ME Merck Veterinary Manual says "Polydipsia, polyuria, anorexia, lethargy, and depression are the most common signs, but many animals with milder degrees of hypercalcemia may be asymptomatic. Constipation, weakness, shivering, twitching, vomiting, stiff gait, and facial swelling are less often reported."

 

Seizures


Seizures may be a sign of calcium imbalances. Seizures may take a number of different forms. There may be the classic jerking and loss of consciousness, but being "spaced out" or mentally absent or staring into space may also be a type of seizure.

 

Seizures in CKD cats may also be caused by high potassium levels, high blood pressure, high levels of toxins, or metabolic acidosis. The use of Reglan (metoclopramide) for stomach problems or Advantage for fleas may lower the seizure threshold.

 

Other possible causes of seizures include epilepsy or a brain tumour, but the causes mentioned above are far more likely in a CKD cat and should therefore be considered first.

 

Audiogenic reflex seizures in cats (2016) Lowrie M, Bessant C, Harvey RJ, Sparkes A & Garosi L Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery 18(4) pp328-336 reports on a particular kind of epilepsy called feline audiogenic reflex seizures (FARS) which was recently identified in cats. This is most often found in elderly (over 15) or Birman cats, and is triggered by high-pitched noises, such as crinkling a paper bag or touching keyboard keys. International Cat Care explains more about this condition. Although phenobarbital is usually used for epilepsy in cats, Levetiracetam in the management of feline audiogenic reflex seizures: a randomised, controlled, open-label study (2017) Lowrie M, Thomson S, Bessant C, Sparkes A, Harvey RJ & Garosi L Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery 19(2) pp200-206 found that a medication called levetiracetam (Keppra) seems to work better for this condition.

 

Twitching, Trembling or Shaking


Twitching may be caused by calcium imbalances (especially head twitching). Other causes of twitching include high phosphorus levels, high or low potassium levels, high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism or vitamin B deficiency. Twitching may also be caused by toxin levels. If your cat only twitches while you are giving fluids, it is probably caused by either the type of fluid used or by giving cold (room temperature) fluids.

 

Pharaoh's Shakes is a video showing a CKD cat twitching.

 

Pet MD mentions that twitching may be caused by kidney disease.

 

Weakness


Weakness may be seen. Another possible cause  of weakness is high phosphorus levels leading to secondary hyperparathyroidism. If your cat seems to be clumsy or stumbling, please also read The Importance of Phosphorus Control.

 

Weakness in the back legs is often caused by low potassium levels or occasionally by low magnesium levels; while muscle wasting may be caused by metabolic acidosis. General weakness may be caused by anaemia. If your cat no longer jumps, this may be thought to be weakness when in fact it is an unwillingness to jump because of blindness caused by hypertension. An inability to jump or climb may also be caused by arthritis.

 

Eating Litter/Licking Concrete


This is normally associated with anaemia, but is occasionally seen when there are calcium imbalances.

 

Increased Urination (Polyuria)


This is a very common sign of CKD in cats, but may sometimes be a sign of hypercalcaemia.

 

Cats with chronic pyelonephritis (a kidney infection or inflammation) may exhibit polydipsia and polyuria.

 

The ins and outs of polyuria and polydipsia (2003) Osborne CA DVM360 Magazine discusses polyuria.

 

Increased Drinking (Polydipsia)


This is a very common sign of CKD in cats, but may sometimes be a sign of hypercalcaemia.

 

Cats with chronic pyelonephritis (a kidney infection or inflammation) may exhibit polydipsia and polyuria, as may cats with diabetes.

 

Increased drinking may also be a symptom of gastric hyperacidity. The cat may drink more because, according to A glass of water immediately increases gastric pH in healthy subjects (2008) Karamanolis G, Theofanidou I, Yiasemidou M, Giannoulis E, TriantafyllouK & Ladas SD Digestive Diseases and Sciences 53(12) pp3128-3132, drinking water may briefly (only for a few minutes) reduce levels of stomach acid.

 

The ins and outs of polyuria and polydipsia (2003) Osborne CA DVM360 Magazine discusses polydipsia.

 

Constipation


This may be caused by high calcium levels. It may also be caused by dehydration or low potassium levels.

 

Low Temperature


This may be seen when there are calcium imbalances. Other possible causes include anaemia and heart problems. A CKD cat's temperature may also fall during The Final Hours.

 

Hypocalcaemia (Low Calcium Levels)


Some of the symptoms of hypocalcaemia are actually often similar to those seen with hypercalcaemia. VCA Animal Hospitals says "Early signs of hypocalcemia include restlessness, stiffness, weakness, irritability, muscle tremors and hypersensitivity (exaggerated responsiveness) to touch and sound. More profound signs include severe generalized muscle twitching, leading on to uncontrolled muscle spasms, seizures and ultimately death.'

 


Symptoms of Phosphorus Imbalances


 

Since phosphorus control is so important for CKD cats, there is an entire page devoted to the topic, which includes symptoms of imbalances. Briefly, they include:


Treatment Options


 

It is possible to treat all of the above symptoms, in many cases effectively, and details can be found in the Treatments and Phosphorus Binders sections.

 

 

 

 

 

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This page last updated: 04 April 2023

Links on this page last checked: 04 April 2023

 

 

 

   

*****

 

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.

 

*****

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