Aa
gilly jay
Please help my 12 year old bichon as just bin diagnosed with kidney failure we are gutted as ad him since pup we are so scared in losing him he ok in is self. Just old age please help Anita an Carol xxx
Hi. The change in pooing is probably due to the change in diet, rather than anything else, so I wouldn't worry about it. In terms of the amount to give him ... it would be worth asking your vet when you next see him, but in the meantime try to find out what the correct weight is for the breed (the internet will have these details, just Google it) and feed him enough to maintain that weight - the manufacturer of the tinned food will also advise you on this if you contact them about it.
It may just be that he likes the food more than what he was eating before and, like us all, wants more of it, not necessarily because he needs it, but just because he likes it.
Im also not sure what you were feeding him before, but some foods contain less water (particularly the dried food types and their varieties, which I am very much against), and tinned foods can cause more pooing, simply because they have a higher water content. In any event, it's certainly nothing to worry about. Of course, if you are concerned at all, just give your vet a ring and talk to him about it - if nothing else, this should help reassure you.
Thank you so much for your kind words. It's true, our best friends mean the world to us and while none of them ever live as long as any of us would like, they offer us such loyalty, love and affection during their short lives, we should rightly feel truly gifted to have them share our lives.
Have a wonderful holiday period and enjoy every minute you have with him ... he's a lucky boy to have so much love, attention and concern from you ... and I'm sure he would say thank you, if he could. Tony xx
It may just be that he likes the food more than what he was eating before and, like us all, wants more of it, not necessarily because he needs it, but just because he likes it.
Im also not sure what you were feeding him before, but some foods contain less water (particularly the dried food types and their varieties, which I am very much against), and tinned foods can cause more pooing, simply because they have a higher water content. In any event, it's certainly nothing to worry about. Of course, if you are concerned at all, just give your vet a ring and talk to him about it - if nothing else, this should help reassure you.
Thank you so much for your kind words. It's true, our best friends mean the world to us and while none of them ever live as long as any of us would like, they offer us such loyalty, love and affection during their short lives, we should rightly feel truly gifted to have them share our lives.
Have a wonderful holiday period and enjoy every minute you have with him ... he's a lucky boy to have so much love, attention and concern from you ... and I'm sure he would say thank you, if he could. Tony xx
Just one more question Tony!! Gilly eating his food really well but poo pooin a lot they seem to be normal poos but then wants more food!!! He only little boy and on an average a tin a day!! Should we give him more when he mithers for more as he seems to be pooin wot he eats out quickly!! On average 3 to 4 poos a day!!! Since eating this new food!!! Sorry to burden you at this time Tony but it's getting a bit sorry looking!!! Xxxxx
Tony I am so sorry to hear of your sadness!! You sound such a strong person and seem to deal with things so sensibly!! I really mean thankyou for all your support and am so sorry for been impatient! We are so new to this and as the day's go on I think I am dealing with it and other days so down!!! We will let him carry on with this food an when he stops eating then we will panic!! We love them so much our little friends but we must be strong for them and not think how sad we are!! Bless you Tony please take care I am here if you need a chat! It works both ways you help me and I am there for you... Big hug from us all. Xxx
Hi Nita. So sorry for not getting back straight away, but we've been struggling with traumas of our own, with a close relative that is terminally ill and unlikely to survive through the holiday period.
3 months to a year is probably a difficult thing to accept right now, particularly if your little friend is full of energy and eating and drinking normally. The problem with kidney disease is that it can deteriorate almost secretly in the background, until it becomes invasive and painfully obvious. When deterioration does become noticeable, it's usually fast acting, sadly.
If your dog is in Stage 3, then there's a good chance he will survive another 6 months and probably longer, with the right medication and diet. The time to start getting concerned is when he stops eating his normal meal or turns his nose up at his favorite treats. The reason dogs with kidney disease eventually do this is because their bodies are becoming so full of toxins they become nauseous - and this is the time to get your vet to prescribe anti-nausea medication and IV fluids, assuming your dog by then has stopped drinking properly.
But that's for the future ... for now, you are doing all the right things. I would suggest getting monthly blood checks, as this will show how far the disease is progressing and will help you and your vet maintain a viable treatment plan. Treatment is palliative, but useful to help maintain a good level of comfort and energy in your dog. The canned food is fine, certainly for now, and I would suggest keeping away from dried foods, as these just cause dehydration, which is the very last thing a dog with kidney disease needs.
My own dog, BB, passed away a year ago this Christmas. For her, things acted so incredibly fast. One day she was a little bit off her food, but still able to run along the local beach. The next day she could hardly walk and a day later she stopped eating anything, even cooked steak, chicken, etc., and wasn't able to stand up at all - which is when we had to do the right thing for her. It still feels quite painful to remember that period, but I subsequently learned so much about this disease and I'm happy to pass on what I learned to anyone that might want to hear it.
Give Gilly a huge hug from me - and try to carry on doing what you are doing as you are doing a great job. Best wishes, Tony xx
3 months to a year is probably a difficult thing to accept right now, particularly if your little friend is full of energy and eating and drinking normally. The problem with kidney disease is that it can deteriorate almost secretly in the background, until it becomes invasive and painfully obvious. When deterioration does become noticeable, it's usually fast acting, sadly.
If your dog is in Stage 3, then there's a good chance he will survive another 6 months and probably longer, with the right medication and diet. The time to start getting concerned is when he stops eating his normal meal or turns his nose up at his favorite treats. The reason dogs with kidney disease eventually do this is because their bodies are becoming so full of toxins they become nauseous - and this is the time to get your vet to prescribe anti-nausea medication and IV fluids, assuming your dog by then has stopped drinking properly.
But that's for the future ... for now, you are doing all the right things. I would suggest getting monthly blood checks, as this will show how far the disease is progressing and will help you and your vet maintain a viable treatment plan. Treatment is palliative, but useful to help maintain a good level of comfort and energy in your dog. The canned food is fine, certainly for now, and I would suggest keeping away from dried foods, as these just cause dehydration, which is the very last thing a dog with kidney disease needs.
My own dog, BB, passed away a year ago this Christmas. For her, things acted so incredibly fast. One day she was a little bit off her food, but still able to run along the local beach. The next day she could hardly walk and a day later she stopped eating anything, even cooked steak, chicken, etc., and wasn't able to stand up at all - which is when we had to do the right thing for her. It still feels quite painful to remember that period, but I subsequently learned so much about this disease and I'm happy to pass on what I learned to anyone that might want to hear it.
Give Gilly a huge hug from me - and try to carry on doing what you are doing as you are doing a great job. Best wishes, Tony xx
Hi Tony not heard from you in a while hope your ok!! Please read my last post as there is nothing else to add to the post! We are just trying to make him comfortable as possible! We see him struggling a bit now he eating his new food ok but drinking lots and started getting US up in the night for wee sees!! My heart is breaking and we will never make him suffer!!! It's like a waiting game now! But your kind words has helped me through this so thankyou and hope you have a great Christmas with your loved ones! God bless. Xx big hug from gilly (our loved pooch)
Hi there thankyou for your reply! Our boy on stage 2 chronic kidney failure and taken to his new tin food great! Vet said his little.life.span cud b 3 months to a year and that we will.no wen.time is right! We love him so.much and will keep giving him the love we give him an make his little life as comfortable as possible!!! We are trying to keep happy for him but its just so.sad and upsetting!! We must think of the gud life he has had thanks again Nita x
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