My Pet World: It's important to get older cats tested for kidney disease

Q: My vet said that soon my 8 year-old cat should be tested for kidney disease. Still, Lucky, appears to be just fine, eats well, and as you know cats today live 'till they're even 20. So, why do the testing? -- B. J., Montclair, NJ

A: You do the testing for two reasons. First, because you can. A new test for Chronic Kidney Disease called Symmetric dimethylarginine or SDMA is now offered by many veterinarians with a routine blood panel.

Also, early intervention is huge. Dr. Kate Pietsch of Dartmouth, Mass., said that by the time most cat owners observe symptoms, about 75 percent of kidney function is lost, which is why there are symptoms. Those cats aren't feeling well.

"The new test is far more sensitive," Pietsch said. "So we can intervene while there's 40 percent loss of kidney function. A cat can live a completely normal life with about 50 percent kidney function."

However, at this juncture, there are hardly ever symptoms -- so the only way to know is to test. Pietsch said, "We're discovering loss of kidney function (determined by SDMA) in lots middle aged cats before the cat becomes sick. This is extremely important to potentially slow the disease progression and help us to monitor kidney loss."

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Q: How do you slow the disease progression of kidney disease in cats? My cat gets fluids in her back/neck three times a week. She feels great now, but the treatment is not pleasant. It seems she actually has borderline kidney problems, but she can't eat or function without fluids. Do you have additional ideas for treatment? -- A.M., Plantation, FL

A: "Most cats (with diagnosed Chronic Kidney Disease)t need fluids with or without dietary or other changes to reduce their serum phosphorus level," said feline veterinarian Dr. Margie Scherk, of Vancouver, British Columbia. "Fluids are very helpful and, in most cases, are most beneficial if given every day. The goal is not to reverse dehydration, but rather, to prevent it from ever occurring by keeping a cat well hydrated at all times. You can tell that a cat is well hydrated by looking at their stool. A moist, formed log is a sign of healthy hydration."

Scherk, who is the editor of Feline Medicine and Surgery suggests this tip: Fluid should be given at the cat's body temperature, and the experience won't be as uncomfortable.

Scherk adds that the bad news is that there is no cure for kidney disease in cats. However, early diagnosis is helpful. And no matter, the goal is to maintain, or enhance quality of life, and even extend lifespan. So, with early detection, appropriate intervention and a little luck -- cats with kidney disease may die of a very ripe old age of an unrelated illness.

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Q: Molly was infected about two years ago with Lyme Disease. Yet, my veterinarian is insistent on vaccinating her again. Besides, at this point in the year, shouldn't it just wait until next year? -- C. J., Hartford, CT

A: You're in the heart of Lyme country, but no matter where you happen to be, Lyme disease is thought to be transmitted from deer ticks (black legged ticks) to dogs most often in the fall, according to Dr. Richard Ford, professor emeritus at North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, N.C. So, while many pet owners let up on protection around this time of year, assuming the weather is cooling off, it turns out that now is the time protection is most important. In fact, even in winter there are warmer days when ticks become active.

As for the Lyme vaccine, it's possible that some dogs get Lyme despite being vaccinated, as no vaccine is perfect. More commonly, it often takes several weeks for detection of Lyme in dogs, and your dog might have already been infected at the time the vaccine was given. No matter, unlike many other illnesses, dogs treated for Lyme can easily be re-infected by another tick. The vaccine, (as well as additional protection, such as topical tick protection recommended by your veterinarian) prevents reinfection. Ford and others suggest the vaccine for any dog living where potential exposure to Lyme disease is high. Your veterinarian's insistence makes sense.

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Q: We have two Australian shepherd/heeler mixes. They are a brother and sister, about 15 months old. We adopted them as puppies. At about six months, the male became aggressive and growling and threatening the female after finishing his meal. Do you have any suggestions? -- M. M., Grove, OK

A: "Sometimes people just don't need to intercede; in fact, by us getting involved the aggression may escalate," said Jean Donaldson, author of "Oh Behave," (Dogwise Publishing, Wenatchee, WA, 2008; $19.95).

"Over time, the dogs will learn how to not push one another's buttons on their own, and the growling -- which is normal dog behavior -- will subside," she added. "It's not a bad idea to feed them in separate rooms."

Meanwhile, there is behavior modification you can try. Have one dog do a "sit, stay," one on your left and another to "sit stay" on your right. Feed the female first, one or two pieces of kibble at a time and then the male, then the female, etc. Donaldson said the male dog will learn he only gets his food after his sister eats. If he growls, instead of getting food, he gets an immediate time out for five minutes in a bathroom, or another room. Or maybe you allow one or two growls, but no moving toward her food dish. Draw the line where you want, but be consistent so the dogs know. Then, graduate to feeding them in the same room with each on the opposite side of the room.

However, if the dogs display aggression at other times -- aside from dispute over food or you feel one dog may get hurt, get hands-on professional help from a veterinary behaviorist or a certified dog behavior consultant.

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