Chunk attacking Lucy...need to know how to nip it!

[Traci]

I'm surprised no bacteria or crystals were found, particularly with oxalates.

But, that's good news!

[Tina B and crew]

We were surprised too. I'm wondering what is causing the blood?

[Traci]

Maybe stress, maybe scar tissue is forming from oxalate crystal irritation prior.

[Tina B and crew]

Ok, finally got the test results back and everything was normal - except of course the ionized calcium, which is still elevated. I didn't get to talk to the vet because I missed her call but she left a message with that info. She still wants to rule out possible hidden tumors, possibly look more at the urinary tract (as we discussed before) and if those all turn out negative then we are dealing with idiopathic hypercalcemia it seems. At any rate, I will be back in touch with her next week to figure out our next step.

[Traci]

Did she talk with the Urolith Center?

Might be a long shot, but is she certain that Chunk's prior crystals were oxalate, and not, for example, a mix of crystals? Sometimes there is a mix of types.

Maybe the Urolith Center could help her with sorting out the idiopathic nature of the hypercalcemia.

[Tina B and crew]

Not yet, that is likely one of our next steps. I'll probably talk to her on Tuesday.

[Tina B and crew]

Alright, I finally got to have a lengthy conversation with my vet after some phone tag and a stressful week for me last week. Our next step is taking Chunk to the Virginia Tech vet school to see an internist and have an ultrasound done to rule out tumors. They also have the ability to do an MRI if needed. Once we have completed that, if nothing is found, then we are going to consult with the Urolith center. She's still leaning toward this being idiopathic, and hoping that the calcium levels will fall on their own, but if they don't then we will address that after we have a definitive diagnosis from VT.

[Traci]

When will you be setting up the consult?

I was hoping it would be simpler, but I'm glad that you're covering all your bases. I'm keeping Chunk in my thoughts and sending good vibes for the hypercalcemia to be nothing serious. Hang in there!!

[Tina B and crew]

My vet is setting it up the appointment for me. They should let me know today when the appointment is. The hypercalcemia of malignancy test (PTH-rP I guess) came back normal but we both agree that it is best to do some exploration to rule out tumors since they don't always produce this.

What I want to know, is why there seems to be so many cases of idiopathic hypercalcemia in cats. My vet said a great deal of the cases they chase down end up being idiopathic and much of the research I have done online shows the same result. What is going on that is causing cats to have elevated calcium with no discernible cause? Is anyone doing any research into this as far as you know?

[Cleo]

My Jackson had a case of this last year. He's 5 now, inside since he was a year and a half. All of a sudden I noticed he was drinking a lot of water and I feared he might be diabetic because of his weight. Glucose and a1c were normal thank goodness but calcium level was high. Rechecked every few months, still high. Then had his parathyroid checked, normal. Thyroid normal. Next blood work few months later showed normal calcium levels. No change in food so this was definitely idiopathic. My vet also said they've been seeing a lot of this in cats but could be they never knew to check or pay attention to it before.

Hope Chunk's turns out to be idiopathic and he'll be okay.