Chronic kidney disease in dogs?

GlasweJen

Sorry guys, this is long.

I posted here a few weeks ago about our older papillion who had to be put to sleep.

On Wednesday the little papillion (12) was outside all day in the good weather chasing birds and cats and "helping" in the garden. We spotted her licking builders sand from between the slabs and chased her away from them.

We woke up on Thursday morning and there was sick everywhere, by 10am she had severe diarrohea and was still bringing up bile so we called the vet who took her in, drew bloods and sent her home. We got a phone call around tea time to take her in and when we got there she was rushed through and put on a drip. The blood results had shown an increase in white blood cells (mostly neutrophils which mark infection apparently) and problems with her kidney function. We were told she would have to stay in for at least 48 hours.

So yesterday the vet called with an update, they had taken more in depth blood samples and her phosphates are high so they started her on phosphate binders. She had taken some food and had a drink and there was a little brightening up but not much. Todays update said not much improvement - they sent a urine sample off to be cultured and they're waiting on results.

When we were in on Thursday the vet said that if they can get the infection cleared she will have chronic kidney disease but that some dogs live a normal (ish) life with that, does anyone have any experience of this? We are terrified that we might lose pup and on the back of losing Tara we don't think we can handle the strain.

Nod_Off

Dogs can go for a long time with kidney disease but it will depend on how damaged the kidneys are. The first thing the vets will advise is a change in diet to help support the kidney function - there are prescription diets but essentially you are looking for a food that has a very good quality protein. Some small dogs are fussy with their food so that might be easier said than done There is also a supplement that can be added to the food which I *think* is called Epakitin.

I really hope she picks up soon - it's horrible when they have to stay in at the vets

GlasweJen

Pup is a fuss pot, the vet nurse actually called and asked what brand she gets at home because she was turning her nose up at vet food! A new diet would be a nightmare, do caesar do a kidney one lol?

Rebob

I was told two months ago that my dog was in severe renal failure. She has been put on monthly anabolic steroid injections and I have been told to feed her wet food if she will eat it (was on bakers) but if not, just anything I can get her to eat. The advice I got on here, to try her with smelly food, was spot on. She is eating tinned pilchards/sardines, ox heart and liver, hot dog sausages, baked beans and meatballs with pasta. I have found that warming her food a little releases some extra smells and gets her to eat on her off days.

GlasweJen

This is the weird thing, pup is a great eater. When Tara was ill pup was eating both of their foods plus begging for scraps. We've not seen any decrease in her appetite at all, just an aversion to drinking but she's always hated water and in the summer it's easier to get her to lick ice cubes than it is to get her to drink anything.

Rebob

It was that she may not be drinking enough that made the vet suggest wet food but my dog is just not having it!

GlasweJen

Oh dear, i think we're going to have the same problem. At the moment pup eats a caeser every day plus has pedigree dry food, i'm not sure she'll be amused if we change that, might have a few dog tantrums on our hands.

We're all worried that she wont come home from the vet, we get to go see her tomorrow and I want more than anything to bring her home but we're all just waiting for bad news.

Nod_Off

Really hope you get some good news today.

Rebob

GlasweJen wrote: »

Oh dear, i think we're going to have the same problem. At the moment pup eats a caeser every day plus has pedigree dry food, i'm not sure she'll be amused if we change that, might have a few dog tantrums on our hands.
Try just more caesar and less dry food and see how you go.

We're all worried that she wont come home from the vet, we get to go see her tomorrow and I want more than anything to bring her home but we're all just waiting for bad news.
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Dont worry too much about this as we did and that was too months ago and my pooch is still loving life.
xxx

GlasweJen

Unfortunately pup was put to sleep earlier today

Rebob

Sorry to hear that.
Thinking of you
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