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need urgent info

Our dog has kidney failure vets reckon maybe eaten something his bloods showed that everything was very high not given much hope had a few days on fluids told it hadnot worked so to take him home prob last a few days those few days has turned into 4 days he has picked up well to look at him u wouldn't know he was ill he runs around with the other dogs wags his tail and all . He is on anti sickness and phospours something . As he seems to of improved in himself we asked the vets should he have food for dogs with kidney problems so we have tried him on 3 different types but he won't eat any of it but he would eat anything else we don't know if his levels have come down yet as we were told that they were so high that as the fluids didn't make a difference nothing would . So we want to helo him the best we can as he isn't giving up yet so how can we get him to eat or what should he eat if he won't eat the special tinned food
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1916673 tn?1420233270
Hi. Okay ... so your dog was on intravenous (I/V) fluids for how many days? Did the vet suggest continuing with SubQ Fluids at home? If not, you need to do this, so ask about it.

It sounds as though your dog has suffered acute renal failure, but this may now have become chronic renal failure (if the kidneys have been severely damaged). Has your vet said whether they think it is acute or chronic?

Ask your vet for a copy of the blood and urine test results and then post them here, along with the units of measurement. Armed with the results, I can advise you much more precisely.

Has the vet tested for Lepto? Has the vet taken a blood pressure reading? What medication has the vet given for nausea? What kd foods have you tried? How old is your dog and what is it's breed? Does he have any other health issues?

In the short term, getting SubQ fluids is the best route to regaining some control and stability. So, consider that a priority. Fluids will help flush the kidneys and remove toxins. It is worth noting that success depends on the severity of the kidney failure (in other words, how much functioning organs remain after the damage). Fluids can take a while to make changes to the blood levels, so I would aim to have the bloods re-tested in 2 weeks time (after starting SubQ fluids).

In the interim period, try the kidney foods again - but this time give tiny portions ... the best thing for kidney disease is to feed literally a couple of desertspoons of food every 2 to 3 hours, so the total daily amount equals the normal amount for your dog's weight and breed. These smaller portions given more often take the stress away from the kidneys, as they don't then have to deal with lots of by-product toxins all in one go.

If your dog still refuses to eat, ask your vet to prescribe Mirtazipine. This will help with the nausea, encourage better eating (it's also an appetite stimulant), and will help improve mood too. While the medication takes effect, you might try simple alternative foods such as chicken and rice ... note that the chicken needs to be human grade (stuff you would buy to eat yourself), as this is much higher quality protein; and the rice needs to be white sticky rice, which is lower in troublesome phosphorus than other pulses and pastas.

Phosphorus is the biggest concern, because it is in all foods and causes severe problems for dogs with kidney disease. Lowering ingested phosphorus is a prime goal. If the blood level test results show high phosphorus (which I am second-guessing is the case), then a phosphate binder will be required. Ideally, this should be aluminium hydroxide, which your vet will need to prescribe.

Next, has the vet undertaken any urine testing? They should have tested for any UTIs (infections of the urinary tract and bladder), measured specific gravity and checked for protein loss.

Okay ... enough for you to be thinking about for now. If you want to read-up on how diet needs to change, take a look at two of my own articles (Diet and Canine Kidney Disease) which explain things fully. You can find them on my website at tonyboothwriter.com

Get back with answers and any updates when you can.

Tony
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Avatar universal
Hi vet was asked yesterday about  iv drip at home were told here in the uk they won't do that . Monty was sent home with a limited time frame or so they thought. His bloods are from yesterday . I named the anti sickness in last message other medication is pronefra  . We have tried 3 lots of kd food which he won't eat at all. The vet can only suggest chicken pasta and sweet potato.monty doesnt show any outward signs of giving up so we wont be giving up on him yet . Just need advice on food as he surly won't last if he doesn't eat or eat the correct food . Have brought him some green tripe is that ok for him as been good reviews saying so .
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2 Comments
Hi. Okay. Pronefra is a fairly rubbish phosphate binder. It contains Calcium Carbonate & Magnesium Carbonate with some Chitosan. The question is ... is it working? You need to ask your vet what the current phosphorus level is as a matter of some urgency.

It is true that most UK vets won't do IV fluids at home - but then that's not what I suggested. I suggested SUBQ Fluids, which is where the owner injects fluids under the skin (the same technique as a diabetic giving himself insulin). This is essential follow-up after IV fluids and any vet that says UK vets don't do it is lying. Simple as. I'm starting to think you need a better vet.

For home cooking, you need very low phosphorus, low sodium foods with no more than 15% HIGH QUALITY protein in each meal.

Tony
Meant to add ... For more information on phosphate binders I recommend reading my latest article (it's long, but it contains lots of information and a review of magnesium based binders). You can access it at my website at tonyboothwriter.com

You might also want to read my 2 articles on diet and changes to diet for kidney failure dogs, which I am sure will prove helpful.

Tony
Avatar universal
Just got bloods back from yesterday as we wanted to see how things going they have come down from 672 to 512 creatine levels and urea levels down from 27.2 to 21.2 vet said they don't want to change the medication as we mentioned mirtazipine
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1 Comments
CoQ10 dosing depends on the formulation (the product itself). Only use canine formulations as human varieties have bad things for dogs in them. The manufacturer should state clearly the dosing on the product packaging.

You haven't really answered any of my earlier questions. I realise you and your dog are under stress, but I cannot give reasonable replies without the questions being answered.

As for honey, yes you can try drizzling a teaspoon only of PURE ORGANIC natural honey over food as an enticement.

Are you now doing SubQ fluids?

What is the type of phosphorus binder prescribed?

Be careful with potatoes - they are high in phosphorus. Use sticky white rice instead.

Feed up to 6 small meals a day (2 to 3 hrs apart) if you can - the total per day being the total for the weight and breed of your dog. This relieves a lot of stress on the kidneys.

My recipes are very kd generic (so not suitable for all kd dogs). It all depends on blood levels. The foods I have suggested are lower than most in phosphorus, sodium, potassium and other "issue" ingredients ... and medium for good quality proteins.

You should probably be trying a canned kd food (such as Hills kd), if your dog's blood numbers are very abnormal.

Tony
Avatar universal
Thanks Tony Monty is on cerenia for anti sickness on Friday and yesterday he ate some chicken and white potato and he was full of energy yesterday today have offered him chicken and sweetpotato which he has turned his nose up we thought about cooking some mince for him but the vet saud no but your receioe suffests that . His blood levels a week ago the cretinine and buns were off the scale they said . Was thinking of getting him q10 and the salmon fish oils how much q10 should we give him today he seems less happy and less energy we just need to get some good into him if we drizzled raw honey on top would that be ok any ideas please oh he is on a phisphous binder excuse spelling . Thank u
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1916673 tn?1420233270
Hello. My own area of knowledge is for chronic kidney disease, so what I can offer may not be of much help. But I'll try to offer suggestions.

This is acute kidney failure and your vet is right that IV fluids are the key to getting early success. However, the blood results are crucial, and unless you can supply them here, I am guessing blind.

The type of fluids depend on the blood results. Lactated Ringers IV for at least 5 days is likely to be necessary. If sodium levels in the blood are low, then Saline Solution would be more appropriate. After IV fluid therapy has been completed, it is ESSENTIAL to continue with SubQ Fluid Therapy at home (this you can do yourself with veterinary advice). SubQs should continue for at least one month, with bloods being taken after 2 weeks to see if any changes are happening.

Do you have any indication of what happened to cause the kidney failure? Has your dog been checked for Leptospirosis? This is crucial.

Has your vet undertaken a blood pressure reading? This is also crucial.

If you feel your vet has given up on your dog (some do), and you don't want to give up, go to another vet NOW. Do not leave it. Time is of the essence.

I cannot advise on diet as it depends so much on the blood results. As a general guide, it is very important to restrict phosphorus - and to start a phosphorus binder (aluminium hydroxide being my preference) if phosphorus levels in the blood are even slightly beyond mid-normal range. Restricting protein is probably not necessary, but feeding high quality protein is - and that means human grade (meats and poultry you would eat yourself).

Your dog won't eat because he is feeling nauseous due to the toxin build-up in his stomach. He needs anti-nausea medication. Has your vet prescribed any?

Mirtazipine is an excellent medication that helps reduce nausea, improves appetite and encourages eating. Get your vet to prescribe it - in addition to Prilosec Omeprazole for a short-term period.

If he as been vomiting, ask your vet for Ondanestron, which will ease it quickly.

Getting ur dog to eat is crucial, as he needs energy. Feeding very small quantities every 2 to 3 hours is the best way to achieve this. Smaller amounts take stress away from the kidneys. Adding some supplements may also help ... milk thistle is good for protecting the liver; pure salmon oil contains essential omega-3 fatty acids (but be aware of appropriate dosing requirements) - also, as salmon oil depletes Vitamin E, you need to add a canine Vitamin E supplement; CoQ10 is said to help kidney disease, and I think it's worth using.

I would also add a dessertspoon of cooked chopped green cabbage to meals every 2nd day. This is a fermentable fiber, which is helpful on its own - but it also helps prevent stomach ulcers occurring in kd dogs.

Has your vet checked for anaemia? This would show up in the blood results. If he is anaemic, then this needs treating fast.

I guess I have given you a huge amount of stuff there - please ask questions if you have any, otherwise I will leave you to get on with things.

Let me know how it goes.

Tony
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Avatar universal
Forgot to say he is 3 years old
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