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Diseases Specific to
Senior Cats
Potassium Deficiency
New research indicates that many senior cats have dangerously low levels of blood potassium. Studies have shown as high as 37% of all senior age cats are affected. It has been shown that LOW POTASSIUM IS A MAJOR CAUSE OF KIDNEY FAILURE IN THE CAT. Additionally low blood potassium makes kidney dysfunction much worse. Another complication is that "acid diets" commonly fed to decrease chances of feline urinary disease actually increase the bad effects of potassium depletion.
Many of the signs of potassium deficiency are very subtle and often attributed to "old age." Signs include weight loss, anemia, poor hair coat, and listlessness. A confirmed diagnosis of potassium deficiency is very hard to obtain since only 1% of all body potassium is in the blood and therefore can be measured. Most potassium is stored in the individual body cells where it functions. The evidence that these signs are directly related to potassium deficiency (since many of these cats do have kidney disease) comes from the response of these cats to supplemental dietary potassium without any other treatment. Supplementing potassium results in weight gains increases in blood values, new hair growth, as well as much greater energy and stamina. A positive response to treatment occurs slowly over 1-3 months.
WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND ALL SENIOR CATS BE PLACED ON POTASSIUM SUPPLEMENTATION. TUMIL-KTM is available as a tablet, powder, or gel for owner administration at home. You will be much better off if you supplement with TUMIL-KTM rather than cat laxatives, vitamins, etc.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is an increasingly more common disease of older cats. In most all cases, it is caused by a non-malignant growth of the thyroid gland that causes an increased production of thyroid hormone. The cause of this growth is unknown at this time. Excess thyroid hormone leads to very serious complications in other body organs, especially the heart and kidneys. Signs of hyperthyroidism include:
Weight Loss
Enormous Appetite
Poor Hair Coat
Hyperactivity
Vomiting and/or Diarrhea
Hyperthyroidism is a progressive disease. Signs, if untreated, will continue to worsen until the cat dies. Any senior aged cat exhibiting the above signs should be blood tested for high levels of thyroid hormone to diagnose the problem. If the problem is diagnosed early, treatment is very successful.
Senior Cats
Potassium Deficiency
New research indicates that many senior cats have dangerously low levels of blood potassium. Studies have shown as high as 37% of all senior age cats are affected. It has been shown that LOW POTASSIUM IS A MAJOR CAUSE OF KIDNEY FAILURE IN THE CAT. Additionally low blood potassium makes kidney dysfunction much worse. Another complication is that "acid diets" commonly fed to decrease chances of feline urinary disease actually increase the bad effects of potassium depletion.
Many of the signs of potassium deficiency are very subtle and often attributed to "old age." Signs include weight loss, anemia, poor hair coat, and listlessness. A confirmed diagnosis of potassium deficiency is very hard to obtain since only 1% of all body potassium is in the blood and therefore can be measured. Most potassium is stored in the individual body cells where it functions. The evidence that these signs are directly related to potassium deficiency (since many of these cats do have kidney disease) comes from the response of these cats to supplemental dietary potassium without any other treatment. Supplementing potassium results in weight gains increases in blood values, new hair growth, as well as much greater energy and stamina. A positive response to treatment occurs slowly over 1-3 months.
WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND ALL SENIOR CATS BE PLACED ON POTASSIUM SUPPLEMENTATION. TUMIL-KTM is available as a tablet, powder, or gel for owner administration at home. You will be much better off if you supplement with TUMIL-KTM rather than cat laxatives, vitamins, etc.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is an increasingly more common disease of older cats. In most all cases, it is caused by a non-malignant growth of the thyroid gland that causes an increased production of thyroid hormone. The cause of this growth is unknown at this time. Excess thyroid hormone leads to very serious complications in other body organs, especially the heart and kidneys. Signs of hyperthyroidism include:
Weight Loss
Enormous Appetite
Poor Hair Coat
Hyperactivity
Vomiting and/or Diarrhea
Hyperthyroidism is a progressive disease. Signs, if untreated, will continue to worsen until the cat dies. Any senior aged cat exhibiting the above signs should be blood tested for high levels of thyroid hormone to diagnose the problem. If the problem is diagnosed early, treatment is very successful.