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kidney failure
My 8 year old Golden Retriever was just told Kidney Failure. levers are super high. over 117 BUN Crea 7.2 he was in the hospital for two days on IV fluids. When we picked him up he was in worse shape then when we dropped him off. I don't understand I decided I was not going to give up him. He needs to eat will not touch the KD diet. been giving him boiled chicken and hotdogs. Any help on low protein foods appreiciated. He has perked up so much since I brought him home and can get him to eat. he has also lost a ton weigh down to only 60 lbs. How long do dogs usually live with this?
Hi. Yes we have a special User Group (CHRONIC KIDNEY FAILURE IN DOGS) which, if you can find it through the MedHelp Search button, I would urge you to join it. But that aside, it's great that the IV Fluids seem to have perked your dog up a little, but the numbers are way too high. So some intensive diet changes are needed.
Has the vet suggested SubQ Fluids, which you can do at home? If not, talk to them about it. SubQ Fluids are similar to IV Fluid therapy, except you put the fluids under the skin, where they get absorbed. Your vet will show you how to do this. The point being, fluids are crucial right now, and this is the best priority treatment to flush out the toxins and start bring the blood levels down.
Also, did your vet check your dog's blood pressure. Many kd dogs are hypertensive, and this makes it difficult to get the kidney disease blood values down ... if he is hypertensive, he will need medication to bring the blood pressure back down, which in turn will help bring the kidney disease under some kind of control.
Next ... diet. The kd diet is important. Ideally, use tinned renal diets (because they have about 80% water in them, so another way of getting fluids). They can be unpalatable, so drizzle a treaspoon of organic natural and pure honey over the food, which may tempt him. Also ... try to feed every 2 hours in tiny amounts rather than one or two big meals. This will truly help the kidneys, because they won't have to work nearly as hard to deal with the byproducts.
Next ... all kd dogs suffer from nausea and acid reflux, due to the toxins building up in the digestive tract and the stomach. When you feel sickly, you don't want to eat, so your dog will need both an anti-nausea and an antacid medication, unless he starts eating soon. Again, talk to your vet about this.
I have a whole range of articles which you should read in due course, but two really useful ones right now for you are listed below. Please take a few minutes to absorb what they say - and then ask any questions you may have.
http://www.infobarrel.com/My_10-Point_Plan_for_Dogs_with_Kidney_Failure
http://www.infobarrel.com/How_Diet_Affects_Dogs_with_Chronic_Kidney_Disease
One more thing ... low protein is only suggested because most manufactured dog foods (for healthy dogs) have low-queslity proteins in them. But protein is essential to dogs, as it provides energy and vitality. The way around this is to feed some human-grade meats, such as chicken leg meat (leaving the skin on) or beef (not the lean variety as fats are good for dogs) or fish, such as tinned mackerel in olive oil (drain all the oil out and discard). Add a little cooked cabbage (a desertspoon) to the meal, as this helps reduce ulceration of the stomach.
Okay. That's enough for now.
Tony
Has the vet suggested SubQ Fluids, which you can do at home? If not, talk to them about it. SubQ Fluids are similar to IV Fluid therapy, except you put the fluids under the skin, where they get absorbed. Your vet will show you how to do this. The point being, fluids are crucial right now, and this is the best priority treatment to flush out the toxins and start bring the blood levels down.
Also, did your vet check your dog's blood pressure. Many kd dogs are hypertensive, and this makes it difficult to get the kidney disease blood values down ... if he is hypertensive, he will need medication to bring the blood pressure back down, which in turn will help bring the kidney disease under some kind of control.
Next ... diet. The kd diet is important. Ideally, use tinned renal diets (because they have about 80% water in them, so another way of getting fluids). They can be unpalatable, so drizzle a treaspoon of organic natural and pure honey over the food, which may tempt him. Also ... try to feed every 2 hours in tiny amounts rather than one or two big meals. This will truly help the kidneys, because they won't have to work nearly as hard to deal with the byproducts.
Next ... all kd dogs suffer from nausea and acid reflux, due to the toxins building up in the digestive tract and the stomach. When you feel sickly, you don't want to eat, so your dog will need both an anti-nausea and an antacid medication, unless he starts eating soon. Again, talk to your vet about this.
I have a whole range of articles which you should read in due course, but two really useful ones right now for you are listed below. Please take a few minutes to absorb what they say - and then ask any questions you may have.
http://www.infobarrel.com/My_10-Point_Plan_for_Dogs_with_Kidney_Failure
http://www.infobarrel.com/How_Diet_Affects_Dogs_with_Chronic_Kidney_Disease
One more thing ... low protein is only suggested because most manufactured dog foods (for healthy dogs) have low-queslity proteins in them. But protein is essential to dogs, as it provides energy and vitality. The way around this is to feed some human-grade meats, such as chicken leg meat (leaving the skin on) or beef (not the lean variety as fats are good for dogs) or fish, such as tinned mackerel in olive oil (drain all the oil out and discard). Add a little cooked cabbage (a desertspoon) to the meal, as this helps reduce ulceration of the stomach.
Okay. That's enough for now.
Tony
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