Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi there. My cat just got back from seeing a specialist. He goes every 6 months for ultrasounds of his abdomen to monitor his inflammatory bowel disease and also of his heart to monitor his atrial septal defect.

His small intestinal wall thickness was normal and his defect hasn't progressed since the last check. However, the vet noticed during the ultrasound that his right kidney is smaller than previously noted. And apparently there is also a clot in the kidney. The vet didn't seem too concerned with this saying that cats can live with only one kidney. I did ask them to run a CBC as well as a biochemical profile in addition to a urinalysis, which I am waiting on the results.

What is your opinion on this? He is on budesonide for his IBD, which is supposed to be a localized steroid that isn't supposed to cause the side effects that other steroids cause. I'm afraid to take him off of it because I don't want his IBD to turn into intestinal lymphoma. But could the budesonide be causing his kidney problem? He has been on it for almost 2 years now.

A shrunken kidney is often due to a loss of function and replacement of functional kidney tissue with scar tissue. If the small size is due to a clot in the kidney, it may be possible to reverse the clot, if the structure is still intact, by giving Nattokinase, which is excellent at dissolving clots. I don't think the Budesonide has caused the shrinkage, but there are better ways of treating IBD than simply giving a steroid.

You don't think he needs to start a kidney diet or anything like that yet?

What else would you recommend for IBD?

Put the cat on a diet of fresh raw meat, with some raw beef kidney at each meal. For the IBD, add colostrum and probiotic, to start. Avoid all dry food and dry treats. If this doesn't resolve the problem, see a wholistic veterinarian.

I actually tried the raw meats when he was first diagnosed 2 years ago and he wouldn't eat it. He wouldn't even it it cooked! So he's been on Wellness canned turkey, grain free diet ever since.

I just talked to my vet, she got back my cat's bloodwork. His BUN is 40. The last time we had him tested (6 months ago) he was at 28. She wants to re-test his urine (she wants a morning sample) to see if it's concentrated, because his urinalysis came back dilute (?)

Anyway, do you still recommend the Nattokinase? If so, how much do I give?

I would give one capsule of Nattokinase per day.

What about diet? My vet recommends k/d, but in looking at the ingredients, there are A LOT of by-products and not much substance. I've tried home recipes, but my cat won't eat it. Is there any commercial natural brands that you recommend for kidney problems? And he also has IBD. Right now he's on Wellness canned turkey.