Roxanne and Katharine Updates-Xrays, Gastro Scans, CHF, Furosemide and More!

Updates:
Roxanne is still testing for FIV. Vet did Western Blot Test yesterday-Thursday 10/5. Did a urine test because urine wasn't available at her checkup last week. We rechecked for potassium because it was abnormally high at her checkup. And she got her first gastro ultrasound just because she's nine, never had one, senior years will begin to show changes, high potassium could be a sign of adrenal gland issues (although that would appear in other blood work and has not.)

Ultrasound showed normal adrenal glands so we will hold off doing any further blood work (there's an $800 gland panel) and we won't test aldosterone levels (high pot might mean HYPOaldosteronism and Addisons Disease) unless potassium remains high for the next couple of months or she gets sick and has other issues. Baby had HYPERaldosteronism with low potassium (can be signs of Cushings) and developed high blood pressure which was primarily caused by CKD (which showed up in urine Specific Gravity and SDMA, BUN, and creatinine tests.) [Baby's hyperaldosterone remained stable from 2018-2020 and was not a cause of her death in 2021.] We will check iron levels in the future if RBC and such hematocrit values change because iron can be a reason for blood values being off.

Ultrasound showed prominent pancreas but no inflammation; normal adrenal glands; but cysts on the liver-this can be normal in cats and becomes a problem if there are too many or they become enlarged. We will monitor for vomiting, diarrhea, poor appetite (symptoms of so many issues), RBC (red blood cell count), liver values. She also has mild kidney changes normal for her age. Again-we will monitor kidney values, BUN, creatinine, potassium, phos, SDMA, and urine.

Katharine-I have been concerned that she has had numerous possible CHF episodes since July, and four these past two weeks. Her xrays yesterday showed some hazing around the heart related to HCM but none in the lungs to indicate CHF. But her cardiologist said that it was fine to put her on 3mg furosemide once a day since she has possibly had CHF episodes because her breathing rate declined within an hour of being given furosemide. Given my experience with HCM, I know when I see fast breathing rate at 40 bpm or more that is sustained and unchanging and must be immediately treated.

Her ultrasound showed "smouldering pancreas" with cysts but no issues or concerns. She is already on a steroid for IBD but cannot increase the amount for the pancreas due to HCM. She otherwise has a normal gastro system and organs. She has some slight scarring on kidneys due to normal aging process but her SDMA and BUN, creatinine, potassium, and phosphorous are all normal. But we will continue to monitor those for signs of CKD, especially important to monitor since she has HCM. I must make sure she gets enough potassium to support her kidneys while on diuretics now as a daily dose and not just an emergency dose.

So, we await blood tests for Roxanne.

Katharine and Elizabeth go to the vet for annual checkups in two weeks (poor Katharine-she's been at the vet and cardio four times these last four weeks and one more to go.)