Chi Chi

[Joale1]

Hello Tony!
I have a 15 year old chihuahua recently diagnosed with kidney disease. We took her in last week and the vet kept her for two days on IV fluids, antibiotic & nausea meds.  She also had dehydration. Her initial test results were BUN level at >130, CREA at 2.6 and PHOS at 13.2. After having 2 days of IV fluids the vet tested her levels again in hopes that her levels would decrease indicating that the IV fluids had helped.  Our prayers were answered and her levels were better not normal but better. Her  BUN level at 121mg/dl, CREA 0.7mg/dL normal & PHOS at 8.9mg/dL. Chi Chi was sent home on subcateous fluids 2x week .
My concern now is she has been eating ground hamburger, sweet potatoes , rice & green beans. The vet wants her on a k/d diet. She has contiuous diarrhea. We have tried HILLS k/d can food, she won't eat dry food anymore. She won't eat the k/d food...sniffs it & looks away... I have tried adding water, heating it up, adding hamburger ...nothing!
What else can I do? Is there other brands? Is the hamburger...rice not good for long-term? ...Please looking for any advice....She's my whole world....Thank you...

[Joale1]

Ty so much!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tonyb286]

She will eat once she's hungry and realises she isn't getting foods that are bad for her anymore. It's tough, but it's better for her in the long run. If you give in, she'll remember that you gave in and use it against you again next time. Obviously, it's important to differentiate between stubbornness and nausea, acid-reflux and other symptoms that may be discouraging her from eating. Remember, tiny portions more frequently is the way forward.

Tony

[Joale1]

Hello Tony! Thank you for taking the time to respond ...I tried the Hills k/d can food...she just won't eat it...I have tried all flavors...I will however get the honey & coconut oil and try that... She is so fussy ...wants what your eating...just not her food...I am just worried if she doesn't fall for the honey or coconut..what the heck am I gonna feed her?

[tonyb286]

Hi. Great news that the fluid therapy has worked so far ... keeping up with SubQs for another week or two will help even more. I'm actually really glad she won't eat the dry food - dry food is just about the worst thing you could give for kidney disease. Throw it out and don't consider using it again! Until you know just what stage she is at (after fluids have calmed things down and new blood and urinalysis tests are done), it's best to be cautious and feed canned kd food. Hills kd is good. Before you try other things, try very tiny amounts three hours apart. By tiny amounts, just a desertspoon - which is of course almost a meal for a Chi. Smaller amounts(making up a full meal throughout the day) are easier for the kidneys to deal with. You could try drizzling a teaspoon of organic all-natural honey or half a teaspoon of pure coconut oil on it, which should help encourage her to start eating it. Hamburger is okay, but it's very rich in protein and contains some phosphorus, both of which you need to restrict. You could try half the hamburger mixture, along with half the kd food (just mix it together) and see if she will take a desertspoon of that. It's worth a try. Also, here's a link to one of my articles, which may help: http://www.infobarrel.com/How_Diet_Affects_Dogs_with_Chronic_Kidney_Disease

Tony