Latte – Chronic Renal Disease
Latte a 15 ½ year old female spayed cat who presented with renal disease, baseline hyperthyroidism (T4 just over the normal range), neurological symptoms, dental disease and osteoarthritis.
Latte water intake had increased, she was losing weight and had elevated blood pressure and an increased heart rate. A dental was advised due to the dental disease that was present. Pain was evident in both hips and bilateral hindleg muscle wasting was present.
When bloods were undertaken her thyroid was at the high end of normal and her creatinine, urea and SDMA (these tests are indicators of renal function) were elevated.
She had received Metacam (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory) in the past to support the osteoarthritis. Due to the renal disease this product was stopped.
Treatment Goals: The aim was to support the renal and neurological disease, osteoarthritis, generalised body inflammation, blood pressure, dental disease and thyroid with herbal products and supplements.
Integrative Treatment Plan: A herbal tincture with clinical actions that supported the kidneys, thyroid, osteoarthritis and neurological disease was dispensed. Other supplements included fish oils, a phosphate binder and vitamin supplementation. Conventional support with Pentosan polysulphate injections were given to help with the osteoarthritis. The diet was also addressed to reduce phosphorus content.
Outcome: Latte responded well to the holistic treatment protocol, her kidney disease stabilised and she lived for a further 4 years with a great quality of life.
Integrative therapies are an important tool which can help our companion animals live well.
Owners feedback:
I had taken our elderly Burmese cat to our local veterinarian for blood tests as I had noticed that she was drinking a lot of water, constantly hungry and her coat quality had deteriorated along with Parkinson’s type neurological spasms. The results came back as typical of old cat diseases such as overactive thyroid, kidneys starting to fail, neurological problems etc. I myself have been working with a holistic functional medicine GP and wanted to find a veterinarian that offered these types of services, cue Jacqui Snell. As we live approximately 6.5 hours’ drive away from Jacqui; she happily worked with our local vet so that she could obtain blood tests, urine samples etc. I followed Jacqui’s protocol and advice to change her complete diet to soft dehydrated pellets (Feline Naturals), broth and raw foods; instead of the dry cardboard like cat biscuits that are usually specified to aid ailments. About 8 months later, Latte got an abscess from a cat bite that required urgent care so I delivered her to our local veterinarians for hospital care. I received a phone call from an incredulous vet - “what have you done with Latte? She’s amazing, an incredible turnaround I can’t believe it!! What’s the secret?” Latte is not on any conventional medications whatsoever (apart from her monthly arthritis injections) and is looking like she is literally ageing backwards. I credit our cat’s health entirely to Jacqui’s guidance and experience both as a mainstream vet and Holistic vet. This holistic way is a slower more gentle and long term approach and I will continue to use
Jacqui’s services for all of my animals and I cannot recommend her highly enough.
Simone van der Plas - August 2021
