Phosphorus
and calcium are minerals essential to bodily function.
Imbalances may arise in
CKD
cats and lead to a condition known as
secondary
hyperparathyroidism, which may make the CKD
progress faster.
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.
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.
(2016) Lowrie M, Bessant C, Harvey RJ, Sparkes A &
Garosi L Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery18(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 & Surgery19(2) pp200-206 found that a
medication called levetiracetam (Keppra) seems to work better for this
condition.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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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