Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: Fennella1 on March 28, 2009, 18:28:52 PM
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"Fen" my cat is 8/9 years old and has just been diagnosed with an over active thyroid and poor kidney function. The vet prescribed Fortekor 2.5mg once per day. She said that it would be best to get the kidneys sorted before we put Fen on any thyroid treatment.I gave Fen her first tablet on Thursday and after a few hours She looked a bit dizzy ,told vet about this but She said that She had not heard of this before.
Later that night Fen became very sleepy and was not eating. Gave Fen second tablet and she has started to become worse. Phoned vet again on saturday and decided to stop giving the tablets. Fen has not eaten all day all She wants to do is sleep and I have noticed that she has started to tremble, like she is cold.
Before Fen started the tablets she was eating lots and lots , playing, purring all the time and very talkative. We took her to the vets because she was eating and drinking a lot but losing weight.
Has anyone out there come across these side effects with Fortekor? please help my little fur baby!
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I am sorry to welcome you to Purrs at a time of worry. I'd call your emergency vet and tell them what's happening. They may wish to see Fen.
Let us know - in due course - what they advise.
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I would call your vet again hunnie and let them know she is off her food totally now and trembling.
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Definately ring the vet now and tell him the symptoms -try and keep her warm too.
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Hi & :welcome: to Purrs, sorry it's not under happier circumstances.
I have used Fortekor in the past and had very good results with it although I know that there can be side effects such as those you describe, I'm sure one of our members had a similar experience but he persevered with the Fortekor and then his cat started to do better. Have you seen the website www.felinecrf.org ? It really is a mine of information, it does say that Fortekor can initially cause the creatine levels to rise when it's first taken which would make Fen feel lethargic/unwell to begin with.
http://www.felinecrf.org/treatments.htm#ACEI
Do you have the blood test results from the vet ie the actual figures? When you say you phoned the vet on Saturday do you mean today or Saturday last week? I'd be inclined to give them another ring and explain how she has been as they may need to see her :hug:
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Definately ring the vet now and tell him the symptoms -try and keep her warm too.
Have called the vet she said to keep an eye on her which i have been for 2 days. I will call the vet out if she is no better. thankyou for your concern.Hi & :welcome: to Purrs, sorry it's not under happier circumstances.
I have used Fortekor in the past and had very good results with it although I know that there can be side effects such as those you describe, I'm sure one of our members had a similar experience but he persevered with the Fortekor and then his cat started to do better. Have you seen the website www.felinecrf.org ? It really is a mine of information, it does say that Fortekor can initially cause the creatine levels to rise when it's first taken which would make Fen feel lethargic/unwell to begin with.
http://www.felinecrf.org/treatments.htm#ACEI
Do you have the blood test results from the vet ie the actual figures? When you say you phoned the vet on Saturday do you mean today or Saturday last week? I'd be inclined to give them another ring and explain how she has been as they may need to see her :hug:
Yes i have the blood results and yes I phoned today . her creatinine level is 217 ,thanks for the web address.
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Two of my cats are on Fortekor and I think it is a wonder drug - I have heard of some cats having a bad reaction to it. Also as someone lese mentioned, It temporarily increaes creatinine levels initially and can tale 4 or 5 days to normalise. Although I wouldn't ignore the side effects, I would check with the vet but it really is persevering with as it really can improve quality and quantity of life.
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Wondering how Fen is hunnie?
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I'm so sorry that Fen has had such a bad reaction. When I first put my Swampy on fortekor he was ok for a week, then became completely lethargic and would not eat and got a bit of an upset tum, so we took him off them. Within 48 hours he was back to normal. Since then he's been put back on them (1 1/2 years later) and is coping just fine, so it does seem to be something weird with side effects (and they are uncommon). I hope that Fen will be feeling loads better very soon. Hope your vet can sort out some treatment for Fen that has no side effects.
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Hello to everyone who have answered my cry for help.
This morning Fen is looking much better. She is now talking to me and asking for food but still not eating it. Trembles seem to have gone.She is drinking cat milk so I am pleased about that.
An appointment had already been booked for Fen on Monday 30th , so I will let you all know what they advise. :thanks:
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Good luck - am surprised they wanted to treat teh kidney issues first though, as untreated hyper-t is much more serious. do you know what her levels were?
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Good luck with Fen - hope that she starts to eat soon
My cat Cleo had a bad reaction with fortekor but she was quite a bit older than your Fen
:welcome: to Purrs
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Hi Fen. 1, can I also just add having had 2 cats and myself with overactive thyroid - this in itself can very often cause tremors on and off so may not necessarily be down to the Fortekor, just a coincidence. I'm not saying it isn't but OT can cause so many odd little things, just thought I'd mention that :hug: hope your Fen gets her problems sorted out xx
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Good luck - am surprised they wanted to treat teh kidney issues first though, as untreated hyper-t is much more serious. do you know what her levels were?
I was rather surprised by that too Desley, although I suppose the vet will have her reasons.
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Good luck - am surprised they wanted to treat teh kidney issues first though, as untreated hyper-t is much more serious. do you know what her levels were?
Fen's T4 level was 94 . I will ask vet why we started on kidney treatment first .
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Do you know what your vets range was, I know mine is 60ish, but that does seem to vary. If yours is similar, that could be why, as she sn't overly high (my foster cats level was 180). Do you know her kidney results?
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Do you know what your vets range was, I know mine is 60ish, but that does seem to vary. If yours is similar, that could be why, as she sn't overly high (my foster cats level was 180). Do you know her kidney results?
I think my vets range is 55 . Fen kidneys were 27.3 and my vet said that a normal cat should be 2.8-11
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That could explain things, the only problem is that once you treat the thyroid (which is incredibly important, it ultimately affects more organs than CRF), there is a chance that the kidneys can get worse, so treating them first is a bit of a puzzle as they could come back up again once on hyper-t treatment.
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Good luck - am surprised they wanted to treat teh kidney issues first though, as untreated hyper-t is much more serious. do you know what her levels were?
I was rather surprised by that too Desley, although I suppose the vet will have her reasons.
When Willow had her bloods done, they said her T cells were raised indicating Hyper-T but it could be a false reading caused by the CRF. They said to get her on the Forteor and retest. When she was retested, the levels for Hyper-T had gone down to within normal range.
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Thanks for that Mark - I know raised liver enzymes can indicate hyper-t (which is why Tino was tested), but didn't realise that it can have that affect with kidney levels.
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It may have been that. I just remember the vet saying she wanted to retest for hyper-t and anaemia once the kidneys were stabilised and both the other things were fine. Willow did have a cold at the time which may have affected readings originally.
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Good luck at vets today hun x
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Update on Fen...
The vet agreed that Fen had suffered a bad reaction to Fortekor which is very rare.Unfortunatley Fen is a very sensitive little cat,She seems to fall ill from any sort of medication so the vet is very reluctant to put
Fen on thyroid treatment as she has seen more side effects with those tablets. The vet wants to let Fen relax for a week and try and get back to her normal self before we discuss what to do next.
the vet said that we should go on a prescription diet either Hills or Royal cann.
Because of Fens sensitivity to things no matter how much I want her to be here for longer, it makes me wonder wether I should let Fen live a shorter but happier life on a good diet and without medication.
Some of you may be horrified by this and belive me if Fen could take medicines I would try everything. I have wondered about trying homeopathic medicine, has anyone had any experience with this?
Other than that Fen has picked up and she has eaten some chicken and walking about again but still not back to her playful, purry self.I am very confused on what to do for the best .All I want is fen to be happy. :scared:
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I know how you feel - I have a hyper-t cat who has had a reaction to both kinds of hyper-t treatment, so the decision has been made not to keep trying and accept that he wont have very long - the vet did mention months though. My vet doesn't prescribe Fortekor, so I went down jsut teh food route with my CRF foster last year, we didn't do any homeopathy - if Fen wont eat renal foods (and quite a lot wont), then senior food is the next best thing. Did you know what her other kidney levels were (with CRF, they tend to have high Urea and Creatnine, I think the figures you posted would have been her Urea levels) - if they aren't overly high, I wonder if the op would be an option for her hyper-t?
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Hi Fen, I can understand where you are coming personally I don't like giving my cats lots of meds anyway and alot of the cats I have had have reacted poorly to meds, we only adopt older cats and my latest 2 haven't had Fortekor nor renal food which my vet said was ok. My first 2 cats were hyperthyroid and often I couldn't get them to take the meds. I also let my cats eat whatever cat foods they like, we tend to think quality of life now my cat is/were older than yours though so I can only speak for myself. Sorry you're in a bit of a dilemma with this but I think you and your vet will decide what is best for your cat and I hope she starts to pick up soon :hug:
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I know how you feel - I have a hyper-t cat who has had a reaction to both kinds of hyper-t treatment, so the decision has been made not to keep trying and accept that he wont have very long - the vet did mention months though. My vet doesn't prescribe Fortekor, so I went down jsut teh food route with my CRF foster last year, we didn't do any homeopathy - if Fen wont eat renal foods (and quite a lot wont), then senior food is the next best thing. Did you know what her other kidney levels were (with CRF, they tend to have high Urea and Creatnine, I think the figures you posted would have been her Urea levels) - if they aren't overly high, I wonder if the op would be an option for her hyper-t?
Thankyou for advice on the food.her cretintine level was 217. the vet said it should be 0-190. the vet is a bit dubious about the opp.
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I have wondered about trying homeopathic medicine, has anyone had any experience with this?
I have used homeopathic remedies, no experience of using them for hyperT, but have seen good results for other things, so it could be worth a try in Fen's case. I would either ask your vet to refer you to a good homeopathic vet, or you can find one yourself - try looking at the British Association of Homeopathic Vets site, they have a list here http://www.bahvs.com/findavet.htm
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I have wondered about trying homeopathic medicine, has anyone had any experience with this?
I have used homeopathic remedies, no experience of using them for hyperT, but have seen good results for other things, so it could be worth a try in Fen's case. I would either ask your vet to refer you to a good homeopathic vet, or you can find one yourself - try looking at the British Association of Homeopathic Vets site, they have a list here http://www.bahvs.com/findavet.htm
:thanks:for the web address.
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Interesting that her Urea is so high but yet her Creatnine isn't that raised - Urea can be raised due to other things though, I have had two cats with raised Urea that has been infection related (as their Creatnine is fine).
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Fenella sorry to hear about your little cat. I have to tell you that my cat Dragan (RIP) had a similar reaction to yours with Fortekor but my vet insisted it was a temporary side effect and said to keep on giving them,. Ultimately he lost the use of his back legs and had to be put to sleep. I would be very very careful if your cat has shown reaction to it. My vet said it is very very rare but it does happen. Hope she is feeling better soon and that the vet can get things under control for you. :hug:
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I'm sure Gillian posted about a new product by Vetoquinol that helps CRF - possibly even reduces Creatanine levels? - they also make Ipakitin which is a phosphorus binder. I just tried going into their website and parts of it have been hacked >:( it says "Hacked by Arab hackers" or something and arab music plays >:(
Anyway, an interesting quote on their homepage (which isn't hacked)
"Contrary to what happens in humans, reducing protein intake in cats and dogs has no effect in increasing life expectancy." Which makes me even more wary of renal diets which as well as having reduced phosphorus, have reduced protein. I have read reports which say that renal diets can cause muscle wastage in cats due to the reduced protein.
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Kocka had a thyroid problem and had an op to remove a non-malignat tumour and the thyroid it was on but she never improved, she also had crf which I think started as a result of the op cos she was fine before. She could not be medicated and was a fussy cat who often refused to eat.
I think if meds cause your cat a problem then I would opt to go with a shorter happy life and letting her eat what she wants. Ceratinly that was my vets advice for Kocka and to also keep her away from his surgery as much as possible cos it made her so scared.
Lots of good wishes for Fen :hug:
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Fenella sorry to hear about your little cat. I have to tell you that my cat Dragan (RIP) had a similar reaction to yours with Fortekor but my vet insisted it was a temporary side effect and said to keep on giving them,. Ultimately he lost the use of his back legs and had to be put to sleep. I would be very very careful if your cat has shown reaction to it. My vet said it is very very rare but it does happen. Hope she is feeling better soon and that the vet can get things under control for you. :hug:
Hi Maddiesmum.I had hoped that you would get intouch with me as I had read about your beloved cat Dragan (RIP) on this site. It was this that comfirmed my decision about stopping the tablets and the vet agreed.Maybe this saved her life,I dont know. Fen is getting better slowly. thankyou.
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I'm sure Gillian posted about a new product by Vetoquinol that helps CRF - possibly even reduces Creatanine levels? - they also make Ipakitin which is a phosphorus binder. I just tried going into their website and parts of it have been hacked >:( it says "Hacked by Arab hackers" or something and arab music plays >:(
Anyway, an interesting quote on their homepage (which isn't hacked)
"Contrary to what happens in humans, reducing protein intake in cats and dogs has no effect in increasing life expectancy." Which makes me even more wary of renal diets which as well as having reduced phosphorus, have reduced protein. I have read reports which say that renal diets can cause muscle wastage in cats due to the reduced protein.
:thanks: for th quote my vet is also going to find some homemade catfood receipes that I can make for her. I think I would rather do that.
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my vet is also going to find some homemade catfood receipes that I can make for her. I think I would rather do that.
This is a good site for anything to do with making your own catfood - written by a vet www.catinfo.org
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Kocka had a thyroid problem and had an op to remove a non-malignat tumour and the thyroid it was on but she never improved, she also had crf which I think started as a result of the op cos she was fine before. She could not be medicated and was a fussy cat who often refused to eat.
I think if meds cause your cat a problem then I would opt to go with a shorter happy life and letting her eat what she wants. Ceratinly that was my vets advice for Kocka and to also keep her away from his surgery as much as possible cos it made her so scared.
Lots of good wishes for Fen :hug:
fen has a real problem in going to the vets.It makes her really :sick: Fen is very scared of everything . She has had a hard life. First home she was hit by humans, second home beaten up by 6 other cats.
She then adopted me! it took me 3 years to earn her trust, that is why I do not want Fen to go through any more upset.
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One of mine is like that - a lot of cats are jumpy but it is a whole different kettle of fish to have a cat that hides for 2 days after a vet trip. Even on a home visit, pees mid-air when the vet picks them up. He even jumped out of his skin in the garden when I coughed earlier. It is like walking on eggshells. I even have to take my shoes off to pass him in the hallway - so I understand what it is like. It is the reason I really can't subject him to regular blood tests etc - I had never seen a cat play dead at the vets before until I had him. So yes, I understand what it's like :hug:
He was found living rough in a market in Hackney in a real state and needed mouth surgery etc. He has never really recovered but we do our best for him :Luv2:
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Mark and Fenella bless them both :hug: Hope Fen continues to improve and glad you got her off the Fortekor if it is this that is causing the problems :)
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Kocka had a thyroid problem and had an op to remove a non-malignat tumour and the thyroid it was on but she never improved, she also had crf which I think started as a result of the op cos she was fine before. She could not be medicated and was a fussy cat who often refused to eat.
I think if meds cause your cat a problem then I would opt to go with a shorter happy life and letting her eat what she wants. Ceratinly that was my vets advice for Kocka and to also keep her away from his surgery as much as possible cos it made her so scared.
Lots of good wishes for Fen :hug:
fen has a real problem in going to the vets.It makes her really :sick: Fen is very scared of everything . She has had a hard life. First home she was hit by humans, second home beaten up by 6 other cats.
She then adopted me! it took me 3 years to earn her trust, that is why I do not want Fen to go through any more upset.
If she is Hyperth. she will be even more nervous than normal.
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Sending tons of hugs :hug:
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Still worried about Fen :scared:. She is asking for food but turns her nose up when I give it to her. The only thing she is really having is cat milk. Is too much cat milk bad for her? especially with her problems?
Before we went to the vets She ate all the time. Anybody got any ideas?
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Clapton was like that when he was first diagnosed. I tried slippery elm bark on his food but it didn't seem to do a lot. The vet gave him a steroid jab to kick-start his appetite and he has barely stopped eating since. I don't think the cat milk is too good. It might even be what is upsetting her stomach. Two of mine throw up and have diarrhoea with it.
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Clapton was like that when he was first diagnosed. I tried slippery elm bark on his food but it didn't seem to do a lot. The vet gave him a steroid jab to kick-start his appetite and he has barely stopped eating since. I don't think the cat milk is too good. It might even be what is upsetting her stomach. Two of mine throw up and have diarrhoea with it.
Fen has not been sick or had diarrhoea thankfully.I think I just might have to get back intouch with my vets again.
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Hope Fen is feeling better and is eating again :hug:
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It is probably nausea causing her not to eat, I would ask the vet for something like Antepsin. Cat milk may make her worse, but it isn't complete, so she wont be getting enough nutrients from it.
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Today Fen has really picked up.After endlessly trying to get her to eat, she finally scoffed down some Highlife perfection and ate the whole can. She has been out to sunbathe ( lucky Fen). Still not really back to normal but I'm so glad that she has eaten something.
I now have to give lots and lots of love to my other fur baby Lupin. He has been feeling a little left out this past week :(.
Thank you to everyone that has replied to me,it has been a great comfort .I will keep you updated with Fen's progress and with what the vet has to say. :thanks:
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Is it the fish Hi-life? - If so, I would be careful as it is one of the highest phosphorus foods on the market.
Anyway, glad she is feeling better.
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Glad she has eaten something and enjoying the sun
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Good to hear, glad she is having some sunshine :hug:
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Is it the fish Hi-life? - If so, I would be careful as it is one of the highest phosphorus foods on the market.
Anyway, glad she is feeling better.
Hi Mark, it was tenderloin with duck breast . Thanks for the warning I have just looked on a site and it has shown that it is really high.
Fen is loads better today. She has just had some RC food but decided to eat Lupin's food instead which was whiskas tuna . :sneaky:
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I am interested in trying this new product Rubenol http://www.vetuk.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2920 - There is also a product made by the same company called Adozyl that is available in America but not sure if it is the same thing with a different name - I don't think so though. Adozyl is a prebiotic. It says toxins are dumped in the intestine with CRF and build up. Adozyl treat it. I don't know why we can't buy it here.