Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

What stage kidney failure, and life expectancy

Got lab done on my toy poodle, results were BUN 137 mg/dl
Phos 9.4 mg/dl, and CRE 6.5 mg/dl
What does this mean? Stage of kidney disease, life expectancy? ETC?
2 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
441382 tn?1452810569
BUN stands for Blood Urea Nitrogen.  The normal value for a dog is between 6 and 25.

Phosphorus - normal dog value is between 2.8 and 6.2

CRE is Creatinine.  The normal value for a dog is between 44 and 138.

Now for an explanation of what they mean.
BUN tells you what the amount of nitrogen is in your blood that is produced from the waste product urea.  When your body breaks down protein, urea is the result.  Urea is manufactured in the kidneys and is passed out of your body in the urine.  Very high BUN levels mean that the kidneys are not working to remove the urea from your blood.

Creatinine is a breakdown product of creatine phosphate in the muscles.  Creatine is a molecule that is used for energy production in the muscles.  It is transported through the bloodstream to the kidneys where it is removed from the bloodstream and is carried out of the body via the urine.  If the kidneys are not working correctly, they will not remove the creatinine, resulting in high creatinine levels.

Phosphorus - Most of the body's phosphorus is contained in the bones, but a small percentage of it circulates throughout the body in the blood as a phosphate ion.  It's important for nerve function and for muscle contraction.  The kidneys are responsible for controlling the amount of circulating phosphorus.  When the kidneys aren't working correctly, the phosphorus levels in the blood rise.  

Did your vet say that your dog has renal INSUFFICIENCY or did he call it renal failure?  There is a difference.  The kidneys can continue to work, albeit not well, until they have lost between 75-85% of their function.  This is what is known as renal insufficiency.  A loss of more than 85% of kidney function is known as renal failure.  

Even a dog in renal failure can be treated and have some quality of life remain.  The initial treatment is to usually flood the animal with fluids intravenously.  Then a regimen of Lasix (usually the diuretic of choice) to force urine production and removal of waste products while the pet is on IV fluids is next.

An antacid like famotidine to relieve the nausea that is a side effect of kidney disease, and Reglan or Cerenia can be used to control vomiting.  When phosphorus levels are high it can also produce inflammation of the gastro-intestinal tract.  Gastricalm or carafate can be given to protect the intestinal lining, and a phosphate binder like Epakitin can be mixed in with the food.  Potassium supplements will also be necessary because failing kidneys cannot resorb potassium, but it is essential to the body so a supplement is a MUST.

There is a probiotic called Azodyl that is used to get rid of the urea and creatinine that the kidneys can no longer flush out.  This will give the pet a MUCH better quality of life because the toxins will be leaving the body.

Increased phosphorus levels means a lowering of calcium levels.  A supplement like Calcitrol will help to maintain necessary levels of calcium in the body.  The imbalance between phosphorus and calcium is dangerous and it happens in the late stages of the disease.  Using Calcitrol should prevent this from happening.  

Enalapril is an ace inhibitor heart drug that dilates the blood vessels and allows more blood to go through the kidneys.  

Diet is one of THE keys to managing renal disease.  There are some excellent prescription diets available through your vet, or if you are so inclined, you can cook for your pet.  Hills K/D is a wonderful kidney diet, as is Hills Prescription Diet u/d.  There are also Purina NF and Purina OM if you prefer Purina products.  The prescription diets would be your best bet because they are scientifically formulated to contain EVERYTHING that your dog SHOULD have and nothing that he shouldn't have.

Once your dog has gone through the initial fluid therapy s/he will probably need to go every couple of days for more.  OR, if you think you can do it at home, your vet can show you how to give sub-Q fluids at home and send you home with a couple of IV bags and set-ups and needles so that you can give your dog its fluids each day by yourself.  This is a lot less stressful for your dog, although you WILL have to go back every so often so that your vet can run some bloodwork to see how things are going.

As long as you dog is still interested in eating and isn't just laying around staring at the walls DO NOT GIVE UP!!!  Where there is life, there is hope, and if you give this your all you can buy your little friend quite a bit more time.  But you MUST be diligent and you MUST be positive.

Please let us know how everything is going.

Ghilly

Helpful - 0
10821430 tn?1439580883
First let me say Betty how sorry I am to hear your liitle
fur friend is going through this...I understand your
need for answers and you must be worried.
If you look to the right side of this page you will see
"GROUPS" please click here and you will see a forum
that says "CHRONIC KIDNEY FAILURE IN DOGS"
click on this, the forum is run by Tony,he has a lot of
information and knowlege about kidney problems in
dogs,if anyone can help you he can.
There you will also see several other folks who have
similar issues with their fur kids,I feel you will find help
in this forum for your companion...
Tony lives in England so as soon as he sees your
questions( different time zone than the USA) he will
give you the help you need.
I know you will find answers here.
Jan
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Dogs Community

Top Dogs Answerers
675347 tn?1365460645
United Kingdom
974371 tn?1424653129
Central Valley, CA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Members of our Pet Communities share their Halloween pet photos.
Like to travel but hate to leave your pooch at home? Dr. Carol Osborne talks tips on how (and where!) to take a trip with your pampered pet
Ooh and aah your way through these too-cute photos of MedHelp members' best friends
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.