Vet Blog

07/28/08

Do Pets’ Weights Fluctuate With the Seasons?
Dr. Eric Barchas, DVM

Is it normal for a senior cat to lose body
weight and muscle mas, with the increased
activity in the spring and summer? She is 16
years old, eats well, is still playfull and
active. Vocal too!

Joan
Saint John, N.B. Canada

Seasonal weight fluctuations are not uncommon in pets (or people, for that matter). The long, warm days of spring and summer offer more opportunities for exercise than the inclement nights of winter.

As well, some degree of weight and muscle loss naturally occurs in all individuals as they age. An 83-year-old person can be expected to have less muscle mass than a 23-year-old; the same is true in cats and dogs.

However, and this is a big however, 16-year-old cats are at increased risk for a number of diseases and syndromes that may cause visible weight loss. Hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, tumors and a host of other glandular and metabolic problems are prevalent in older animals. Hyperthyroidism is especially known for causing weight loss and high levels of vocalization.

Your best move will be to have a vet examine your cat. He or she will be able to quantify the weight loss and run tests to check for the various syndromes I have mentioned. Hopefully the vet will determine that nothing is wrong. But it is better to be safe than sorry.

See related Vet Blog entries:
Categorized Vet Question and Answer.Tagged askavet, cats, hyperthyroidism, kidneydisease.
05/02/08

How do Vets Measure Kidney Disease?
Dr. Eric Barchas, DVM

Dr. Barchas,

My question relates to chronic kidney failure. I have had a total of
three cats with this, two now and one
that passed away about four years ago.

I have always been uncertain exactly what the
BUN number means. What does it show to you, the
vet, and what role it has in diagnosis along with
the creatinine numbers. I understand they both show
the stage of where of the kidneys are but I would
really like to understand more about
their role.

Thank you very much - This will help me to
understand this disease a little better.

Karin
Phoenixville, PA

Sadly, many cat lovers have experience with feline kidney disease (also known as chronic renal failure). Kidney failure is the most common major medical problem in elderly cats. It is a leading cause of feline death.

Veterinarians test their patients’ kidneys in a variety of ways. Physical examinations, X-rays, ultrasound exams, and urine tests all provide important information. But the most commonly used benchmarks are two values that are measured in the blood: BUN (pronounced “bee-you-inn”) and creatinine.

To understand the meaning of BUN and creatinine, you must understand the function of the kidneys. In the course of normal metabolism, the body’s organs and tissues consume nutrients and produce waste products. These waste products are released into the blood. It is the job of the kidneys to remove these waste products from the blood and eliminate them as urine.

If the kidneys begin to fail, the waste products accumulate in the blood. Higher levels of waste products correlate with lower levels of kidney function.

BUN and creatinine are two such waste products. Their levels generally correspond to the overall levels of waste products in the blood. Measurements of BUN and creatinine therefore allow veterinarians to assess the status of the kidneys, as well as to monitor each patient’s response to treatment.

See related Vet Blog entries:
Categorized Vet Question and Answer.Tagged BUN, cats, creatinine, kidneydisease.