Tanya's Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic Kidney Disease - Symptoms of Phosphorus and Calcium Imbalances

Phosphorus and calcium are minerals essential to bodily function, but imbalances may arise in CKD cats and lead to a condition known as secondary hyperparathyroidism, which may make the CKD progress faster.

Symptoms of Phosphorus Imbalances Back to Page Index

Since phosphorus control is so important for CKD cats, there is an entire page devoted to the topic, which includes symptoms of imbalances. Briefly, they include:

Loss of appetite

Lack of co-ordination in the limbs

Plantigrade posture

Itching

Weight loss

Weakness

Twitching, trembling or shaking

Teeth grinding

"Knuckling"

Nausea

Symptoms of Calcium Imbalances Back to Page Index

Seizures

Seizures may be a sign of calcium imbalances. Seizures may take a number of different forms. There may be the classic jerking and loss of consciousness, but being "spaced out" or mentally absent or staring into space may also be a type of seizure. Harpsie' s website has more information on what seizures may look like.

Seizures in CKD cats may also be caused by high potassium levels, high blood pressure, high levels of toxins, or metabolic acidosis. The use of Reglan (metoclopramide) for stomach problems or Advantage for fleas may lower the seizure threshold. Other possible causes of seizures include epilepsy or a brain tumour. but the causes mentioned above are far more likely in a CKD cat and should therefore be considered first.

Weakness

Weakness and muscle wasting may be commonly seen in the back legs, or your cat may have a bony spine. There are a variety of causes, including high phosphorus levels leading to secondary hyperparathyroidism. If your cat seems to be clumsy or stumbling, please also read this page.

Weakness in the back legs is often caused by low potassium levels or occasionally by low magnesium or low calcium levels; while muscle wasting may be caused by metabolic acidosis. General weakness may be caused by anaemia. If your cat no longer jumps, this may be thought to be weakness when in fact it is an unwillingness to jump because of blindness caused by hypertension. An inability to jump or climb may also be caused by arthritis.

Constipation

This may be caused by high calcium levels. It may also be caused by dehydration or low potassium levels.

Twitching, Trembling or Shaking

Twitching may be caused by calcium imbalances (especially head twitching). Other causes of twitching include high phosphorus levels, high or low potassium levels, high blood pressure, calcium imbalances (especially head twitching), hyperthyroidism or Vitamin B deficiency. Twitching may also be caused by toxin levels. If your cat only twitches while you are giving fluids, it is probably caused by either the type of fluid used or by giving cold (room temperature) fluids.

Pharaoh's Shakes is a video showing a CKD cat twitching.

Eating Litter/Licking Concrete

This is normally associated with anaemia, but is occasionally seen when there are calcium imbalances.

Low Temperature

This may be seen when there are calcium imbalances. Other possible causes include anaemia and heart problems. A CKD cat's temperature may also fall during The Final Hours.

Treatment Options Back to Page Index

It is possible to treat all of the above symptoms, in many cases effectively, and details can be found in the Treatments section.

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This page last updated: 20 October 2011

Links on this page last checked: 20 November 2011