Trying to stay positive

[LezlieL]

My 14.5 year old Chihuahua, Sam, was diagnosed with kidney failure 7 days ago. His bloodwork was off the charts:

Bun was 246 (7 days ago), 86 (3 days ago)

Creatine was 7.9 (7 days ago), 5.5 (3 days ago)

Phosphors was 20.6 (7 days ago), 9.9 (3 days ago)

He seemed "normal" up until 10 days ago when he started skipping meals and seemed down. I took him to the vet and we did the bloodwork. Doctor thought checking him in for IV would be too stressful so we've been do subq 2x/day. He hasn't had much of an appetite but within the past few days will eat a little on his own. At his checkup today the doctor said he needs to eat more. I started spooning him food today.

We did accupuncture 3 days ago. Started him on a phosphorus binder as well as an herbal drop. He seemed really tired the night of his accupuncture which the doctor said we should expect for about 48 hours. He hasn't really picked up energy and today still seems really tired. I'm trying to stay positive but it's hard to watch him because I know he doesn't feel well. I would give so much just to see him come running down the stairs, bark at a dog, and just be that typical Chihuahua.

Is it typical that the subq and meds would take a week or two to make him feel better? Or should he start feeling better already?

[tonyb286]

Hi. You are put in an impossible position with kidney disease. When is it right to do everything possible - and when is it right to let go? I think you just have to go on gut decisions. And if your dog is saying "Im not ready to go just yet." then fine, keep on trying, I say.

If you haven't already checked out my website, please do ... it has lots of articles (all written and researched personally by me), some of which you will find of value. The trouble with a lot of stuff on the internet is it may be based on old information (in which case no longer appropriate), it may be articles written by pet-product manufacturers (and therefore not necessarily truthful or accurate) or it may offer conflicting advice. The things I have written are up-to-date, relevant to kd dogs and verified through scientific and veterinary research bodies. Anyway, you can access all of my "stuff" at www.tonyboothwriter.com

Good luck - and keep us informed about how things go.

Regards

Tony

[LezlieL]

Thank you for the information! It's very helpful.

We actually had a set back yesterday. The night before last he seemed very disoriented and he was experiencing pain as he yelped when we tried to carry him. It took him until 4 am to lie down and rest. My husband and I were telling him that it was okay for him to let go. Yesterday morning we took him to his vet and referred us to a 24 hour emergency clinic and recommended that we check him in for at least one night. At the clinic they repeated his bloodwork and did a blood pressure test. His bloodwork was now BUN 50, Creatinine 4.5, phosphorous 8.3. We also found out he was critically anemic and needed a blood transfusion for any chance. We were at a point of considering whether to euthanize him or proceed further. It was heartbreaking. We did the ultrasound which came back with no internal bleeding. They brought him out to us and he was really alert and his vision seemed normal and he no longer seemed disoriented. My husband and I said we can't put him him down yesterday and we proceeded with a chest X-ray (which came back clear) and the blood transfusion. He stayed overnight and I am waiting to hear from the vet. He also got an IV so hopefully that helps flush the toxins better from his kidneys. We realize that we may be only extending his life by a few weeks, maybe a few months. Yesterday it wasn't time but we know that there will be a "time" sooner than later. He had blood test results for his kidney levels that "were not suitable for living" and anemia results that "were not suitable for living". His body kept him going. We wanted to make this last ditch effort to help him.

I've been doing a lot of research of diets for dogs with renal failure including the one you post. He hasn't liked the wet kidney food dog food diets but we will start mixing it with some of your suggestions. I may also try to cook for him.

[tonyb286]

Hello.

IV Fluids are far better and far quicker at bringing bad blood numbers down in most cases. However, stress does play an important role in causing kidney disease to worsen, so our vet may be right to advise SubQs at home. SubQs do take much longer to have an effect ... maybe after 4 to 6 weeks, there will be some more positive signs. Much depends on how damaged the kidney organs are.

Yes, the phosphorus is a real problem,, it's way too high and a binder is a good way of getting it under control - but it isn't enough on it's own, as you will need to severely restrict all high phosphorus content foods from now onwards.

With blood numbers so high, your dog MUST be put on a kd specific diet. So, either Hills canned kd or a similar prescription dog food is fine - but not any that may be a dry dog food. Kibble is a killer of dogs (even the ones advised by some vets).

You must also look to what you have been feeding up to now and investigate what's actually in it - and this includes treats, as many come from places like China and some of these have proved fatal.

This will be a slow process, so don't expect miracles. Bear in mind that kidney disease will eventually kill your dog (there is no cure for it) - sad though it is - and the plan now is to prolong life and improve quality of life for as long as possible.

The following article is one written by me and seems appropriate for you at this time. Please read it before asking any questions you may have.

http://www.infobarrel.com/My_10-Point_Plan_for_Dogs_with_Kidney_Failure

Tony