A Good Shock

Renn’s urinalysis results came in, and his doctor called me today. She told me that the fluid was “shockingly healthy.”

Everything was quite normal with the urine, except for the specific gravity. For a cat in his prime, it is about 10.5; Renn’s had been 10.24, and is now 10.2. This is, however, what may be expected for a cat with his kidney issues.

What the doctor did not expect was to see no other signs of ill-health. While surprised, she was also pleased about it. If the mass that had been seen in the ultra-sound were cancer, it would likely have given off a few cells in the urine; there would have been blood disturbance, and the red and white blood count would have been irregular. If the mass were a bladder-stone, the sample would probably have contained crystals, and/or some blood. This is particularly the case when, as the veterinary stated, there had been some manipulation and unusual handling, all necessary for the various stages of the examination.

The most probable cause of Renn’s urinary problems is a polyp in the bladder, a non-cancerous growth. This doesn’t mean that it can’t be a tumour; the doctor noted that since I am often quick to notice changes to my cats, I may have caught a cancer prior to it presenting more characteristics, though she doesn’t believe this to be the case. Nor does a polyp preclude difficulties in the future. It may grow large enough seriously to impede my big boy’s proper bodily functions.

Even with all the worse possibilities, though, the likeliest condition is a polyp. It is also the most favourable, given all the evidence.

Renn is responding decently to the anti-inflammatory drug. Meloxicam, I have learned, may not be as dangerous to the kidneys as previously believed. In any case, if it helps more than hinders, it may be continued, albeit on a less frequent and smaller scale. I will observe Renn’s habits closely over the next few days and report to the veterinary. As well, my friend will return to the hospital for another ultra-sound on the first of February.

While I certainly won’t let down my guard, things appear better for Renn than they had just a few days ago. I don’t anticipate miracles, but continued peace and contentment for a cat heading toward his seventeenth birthday is a real possibility.