Tabs doesn’t have very good news to share, but it’s okay as this was already expected. Tabs has polycystic CKD (PCKD) and there is only palliative care for it. PCKD means that there are many, many cysts in Tabs’ kidneys and these cysts will take the place of healthy kidney cells. Nothing can stop the growth of the cysts. PCKD is uncommon in kucing kampung, it normally afflicts pedigree cats. Tabs has some British Shorthair in her.
So, Tabs’ PCKD has progressed, but that said, the vet says she appears to be clinically well. And she is.
Her SDMA has increased from the previous 16 to 17. Creatinine from 204 to 260, urea from 18.8 down to 14.7 (that’s good). But this shows a progression and she is at Stage 2 of CKD.
Last December she was suddenly diagnosed at Stage 3 CKD and that’s when we found out through ultrasound that she actually has polycystic kidney disease. She’s probably had it all her life, undetected. Daily subcut brought the kidney readings down and Tabs also had stemcell treatment in January 2024, but it might not help very much due to the polycystic nature of her CKD.
Tabs will continue with Fortekor (already had proteinuria in the last check-up) and Amlodipine to control her blood pressure.
Despite the proteinuria, Tabs has not lost weight, still at 4.3kg, which is good.
The only change the vet prescribed is to do her subcut for all of seven days a week instead of the current six. So, it will be 150ml daily. Other than this, it is to put her on renal food (which I try).
One day at a time, Tabs. We are with you all the way.
Tabs is also on Oligosaccharide Chitosan for her polycystic kidney disease, but the research on this isn’t sufficient because PCKD is not a common disease and there is no big enough sample to study it further or develop conclusive results.