kidney disease uncovered by chf episode in dog

[rddugan]

My sweet 14 year old Pomeranian had an episode of Congestive Heart Failure 2 weeks ago.  He was treated successfully and responded well to the Lasix, etc.  However, when he had his follow-up work a few days later, his kidney levels were bad - over 11 phosphorus, high BUN and creatinine.  We took him to the hospital for hydration and the BUN came down to 87, creatinine a little above normal.  On follow up a couple days later his BUN was 140, creatinine 2.8, and phosphorus normal.  His behavior is less exuberant than normal.  He had a bit of vomiting yesterday, no diarrhea.  His appetite today and yesterday was not too good.  The one day he had the Mirtazapine  he was his normal self and ate well.  My vet said to come back in a month for blood work and keep doing what we were doing.  However, I am concerned that I should be doing more- particularly with his diet when he does eat well.  Right now, with a lowered dose of Lasix, his heart issues seem well managed.  

Is there some more aggressive treatment, especially in terms of diet?  
Is his outlook is so bad, doing anything more will be fruitless?
Is a month soon enough to keep a good eye on his kidney blood levels?

Thank you.  We want to keep our buddy as comfortable and happy as we can as long as we have left.  

[ginger899]

I know, obviously you want to keep her on the diet food and not step away from it too far. But my feeling about her taking the pills is ANYTHING she might find irresistible in which to wrap the pills will do.
I mean, she would only be getting the odd morsel of non-diet-food a couple of times a day, I don't think that would do too much harm. If you get some hamburger meat/chicken breast/soft cheese/scrambled egg....whatever takes her fancy, about a marble-sized piece or a tiny spoonful, wrap her pill in that, let her sniff it, then make a big thing of giving it to her, get her to sit for it, etc, like it's a real treat....it might just slip down very fast!

[tonyb286]

I am very sorry to hear about Missy. You must be devastated by this additional problem on top of the CHF. There may come a time fairly soon when you will need to consider things like I/V fluids and I would certainly suggest keeping her on the pepcid, as it will reduce the tummy upsets and encourage her to eat. It sounds like you have done an amazing job so far - and to have reached 16, Missy is an amazing dog. I'm sure you have already realised the prognosis for kidney failure is bad, as there is no cure, but if she is in 3rd stage then you still have a period of time with her, so just enjoy it as much as you can. Your vet sounds like one of the good ones, so keep him up-to-date with how Missy copes with things and certainly keep asking him any questions you have about her condition and how best to treat and manage the symptoms.

My heart goes out to you. I know from experience how difficult this is for everyone involved. Use this site for support ... there are lots of good, friendly and empathic people here. Tony

[missysmomma]

My sweet girl Missy who will be 16 in August was diagnosed with CHF almost a yr ago, she has been doing pretty well! The only meds she has been on is enalapril 1/2 tab twice a day. About a month ago I just noticed that she was coughing a little bit more and just not acting like her self, so I brought her to vet where she was diagnosed with 3rd stage Kidney disease. I have been reading all that I can about the disease and just crying. The vet put her on kd food ( that she ate up the first couple of days) and also 1/2 tab of pepcid twice a day.  But her appetite changes from day to day on what she will eat. I was using the pill pockets for her pills but some days she turns her nose up at them, it stresses both of us to give her the pills down her throat, will have to ask vet suggestions. She goes back to the vet for her 30 day blood recheck tomorrow. I fear she has lost more weight and feel like I should have called vet sooner to ask for more suggestions. I was trying to feed her the right food, but did occasionally just give her anything she would eat. I sure hope we get a good report tomorrow, some days she seems like her old self with energy and other days she seems to have trouble going up one step, so I carry her up or down the one step when I need to.
I love her so and want to do everything I can to help her. I am going to ask vet tomorrow about suggestions on home made diet for her or anything to get her to eat!

Melinda

[TwoBitsMom]

Ok...well due to the tears that were interfering with my typing abilities...after re-reading my post...what I meant to say was...

I am sure your sweet angel Taylor knows that you only ALWAYS wanted what was best for her.  

Dang Tears.....!  

[TwoBitsMom]

Hello TaylorMonroe....
I am so sorry that I was not able to reply to your post sooner.
It has been 6 months since I had my sweet little Yorkie euthanized because of Kidney Failure.
I still grieve for her and wish that I, like you, could turn back the clock.
I know that I had her euthanized too soon, and regret that I even found out about the Kidney Disease.
I will always wish that things would have been and gone differently...but...I cannot change what happened.
TwoBits was 15 years old, and she was ALWAYS by my side...every step of the way. She was always right beside me.
I would give anything to be able to change the way things ended, but unfortunately I know that is an impossibility.
I try to tell myself that her death, at my hand, happened for a reason.
And I tell myself that I am glad that she did not have to get any sicker before she died. But....that does not seem to change the fact that I feel like I could have done more for her, and I feel guilty about having her euthanized when I did. Still....life goes on, and I know that TwoBits would not want me to spend the time I have left, dwelling on the fact that she was sick, and I helped her to die a peaceful death. To dwell in the past, only robs us of the present.
I know I only ALWAYS wanted to do the best I could for her, and she knows it too.
I am sure your sweet angel Taylor knows that is what you only ALWAYS wanted for her.  
Both of you were so fortunate and blessed to be given 16 1/2 years together. The number of years she lived, is certainly due in part to the wonderful care you gave to her.
You did the best you could....without you in her life, who is to say what may have happened to her.
I know you feel that you could have done more for her....As we ALL DO...
Whether or not that is true, ( which I doubt).....the fact remains, that
NOBODY COULD HAVE LOVED HER MORE THAN YOU DO...!
And because of that fact alone, nobody could have, or would have, done more for her than you did.
She was right where she belonged....with you....for 16 plus.... wonderful years.
I know how much your heart is breaking....I also know that all the kind words in the world, can not, and will not, make you feel any differently about what happened to Taylor.
But I do want you to know that you are not alone in your thoughts.
I also want you to know, that you have come to the right place for support, as there are many wonderful people here, who understand your loss and grief.
Taylor was a very lucky girl, to live her life in the company of someone who loves her as much as you do.
God Bless her Beautiful Spirit and Soul...she is much loved.
Please accept my heartfelt sympathy and understanding....
Connie

[TaylorMonroe]

Sorry. Lots of typing issues and spelling. It's hard through tears.