Is low phosphorus dangerous for cats on binders? How often to test?

Hello. Yes, there are studies done to indicate that phosphorous binders added to non-renal diets will be effective. Many cats will not touch the kidney diets, so adding the binders is the next best way to go. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! A phosphorus binder is used when the phosphorus is high not when just the creatinine is elevated. I would have your Vet get a urine sample and a blood pressure. This will help stage Ike's renal disease. Prescription renal diets are highly recommend to slow progression of disease. Blood pressure medications should be used if high. I wish you the best!

I don't have a completely simple answer for you, but I can give you a chart for comparing phosporus levels in different foods. http://catinfo.org/docs/CatFoodProteinFatCarbPhosphorusChart.pdf For maintenance diets, AAFCO minimum for phosphorus is 1.25 g/1000 Kcal (1.25% on a dry matter basis) so, if you are looking for non-prescription diets, there will be none lower than that, so you can try to look for diets that are closer to that value. I hope that was helpful! Thanks for using PetCoach.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Tony. The most important thing is that he eats. If he will eat better with the powder folded in, then I would recommend doing it that way. Typically bloodwork is monitored when a patient is taking a phosphate binder to test his levels. This will let you know if he is taking the correct amount and if it is working for him. I hope this information helps!

Poor OIiva! I would certainly get her started on a phosphate binder like aluminum hydroxide if her phosphorus is high. Their is a liquid form but most cats don't like it. I would try the capsules as your mentioned above or have it compounded into a liquid that has fish or chicken flavor. Your vet should be able to help you with this prescription. I would also talk to your vet about starting her on daily or every other day subcutaneous fluids. If she is a cooperate patient, fluids would help to flush out her system and keep her kidney values and phosphorus down and therefore allowing her to feel better. Finally I would talk to your vet about an appetite stimulant if she isn't wanting to eat. I hope this helps!

She should have her blood pressure, blood work and urinalysis checked at least every six months. The doctor may also want to check another test called a urine protein creatine ratio if they are concerned the condition is worsening. This will help you to know what her kidney are doing. She should get a physical exam every 3 to 4 months unless she seems sick. Then she should be examined at that time. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.

High calcium is not very commonly found in cats on well-balanced cat foods. Potential causes for hypercalcemia in cats include lab error or lipemic blood sample, cancer, kidney failure, bone disease, hyperthyroidism, toxic exposure, supplements, among a few others. I would recommend that you follow-up with your vet about these possible concerns. The vet may recommend additional testing, including an ionized Calcium level, which more accurately evaluates the calcium in the body than total calcium on most in-house blood panels.