Advice... possible kidney problems???

[Guest]

My 12 yr old tabby Dinky had bad gingivitis a year and a half ago, and had some teeth removed. They also took blood and found that his kidney levels were high, but was probably due to the infection, now removed. Since then he has had vet checkups and looked great, though no blood was taken. Now, my mom tells me (I dont live at home anymore) that he has been urinating on the stove and spraying the walls, and his backside looks bonier, though he is still fat. He has also been racing around the house and jumping up on things. Otherwise he is eating and acting normal, using the litter box as normal, and is not losing weight (so far). She also thinks he has been drinking more water.......
She is taking him into the vet as soon as she can get him in, just to check on the symptoms, but should I be really worried yet?

[Traci]

The problem with kidney disease, is that it is silent, meaning most cases are not diagnosed until 2/3 of the kidney function is lost.

For this reason, advise your mom to get kitty seen and tested immediately, especially given the recent changes in behavior, urination and drinking habits. Any kitty over the age of 7 should recieve yearly blood profiling to keep ahead of these common diseases. Since your kitty is 12, you can't afford NOT to wait on this. Request the vet use a full geriartric blood profile, and include urinalysis and thyroid function tests. A profile should include glucose testing as well to rule out diabetes.

Please don't wait on this, if kidney disease is caught early on, the treatment is more effective, and maintenance will help slow down the progression.

[Iluvmy3boys]

She will take him in tomorrow or the next day if possible. I will NOT let it slip now that I know he might be sick. At their yearly checkups in Dec. I will have my other 12 yr old and 8 yr old's blood tested even though they are acting normal.

[Iluvmy3boys]

could this possibly be just behavioral changes? The only environmental changes that have occurred in his environment was that I moved out recently. I know when my dog died, another one of our cats began urinating on the rugs and compulsively grooming himself. I just feel that if we had got his blood drawn we wouldnt be in this situation right now. All Ive been doing is crying, going over the worst in my head what might happen if hes really sick, and Im not even home spending time with him

[Traci]

Regarding behavioral changes.....you need to get him seen anyway, because sudden changes in behavior and eating/drinking/litterbox habits usually always indicate a hidden illness. Stress can ALWAYS induce a hidden illness or exacerbate a pre-existing condition.

[Iluvmy3boys]

Theyre taking him in first thing thursday morning.... my mom spoke to the vet tech and she said that it sounds like a UTI.... they will take a urine sample and because of his history, also take blood.

I pray that hes okay