DM and CRF in cats

Re: DM and CRF in cats

Kate Richardson — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 14:48:17 GMT

I agree, treat the condition causing the most problems for the cat, but worth speaking to the tech advisors of whichever diet brand you use, the Hill's advisors are great with these sort of cases and can sometimes recommend an option which you wouldn't have thought of or at least put your mind at rest that you have made the right diet choice.

You said the urine was negative for glucose and fructosamine levels were good- are you sure the cat hasn't gone into remission from the diabetes? Or did his glucose curve still suggest DM but well controlled? You would kind of expect loss of control if you had a concurent condition, but it is a cat and they don't read the book!

Also would be sensible to do a urine culture- DM and renal disease are 2 very good reasons for a bacterial infection to develop.

Re: DM and CRF in cats

Hannah Wynne Richards — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 14:33:45 GMT

I'm with Martin It's a juggling act give your best treatment to the most life-threatening condition-even if it means slightly worsening the less severe condition Good luck-with close monitoring and frequent adjustments of treatment these can go on for a surprisingly long time Hope the cat is either insured or has owners prepared to pay because all this monitoring can't be done cheaply

Wynne

Re: DM and CRF in cats

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 14:15:38 GMT

It is conundrum and I had a cat with DM, CRF and a food intolerance so you're lucky! I think you have aim at the worst problem or just compromise. If the CRF is the most concern, the worst you'll do by giving the cat a high carbohydrate/low protein renal diet is have to increase its insulin requirement but once the diet is settled this should remain stable again. On the other hand if the renal problem is mild you may wish to give a normal cat food with a phosphate binder and benazepril or even something like the RCW Senior consult stage 1 reduced calorie diet. Monitoring the renal parameters frequently and adapting should give you a better indication which is the best strategy.