Hi. When you get the chance, please join our specialist group here on MedHelp ... it's the CHRONIC KIDNEY FAILURE IN DOGS User Group, which I administrate. Lots of friendly, supportive and helpful people are there.
First, yes, your dog can survive the numbers. They are certainly not the worst I have seen. IV fluids are the priority right now, hopefully (check with your vet) he will be getting nourishment through the IV too, so you don't need to worry too much about eating for now. The bloods do sometimes take a bit of a dive during IV fluids, but they then improve ... it just takes a little time and patience. Once the IV fluids are finished, you should continue with SubQ fluids at home (ideally with Lactated Ringer solution fluids). Talk to your vet about this. They will need to teach you how to do it. The SubQ fluids should then continue for at least three more weeks.
Has your vet checked your dogs blood pressure? If not, it needs doing. See my article on this and other immediate measures at http://www.infobarrel.com/My_10-Point_Plan_for_Dogs_with_Kidney_Failure
At 3.4 creatinine, your dog needs to be on a speciality kidney dog food such as Hills kd canned (not any dry food). He may readily eat it, but if not, drizzle a teaspoon of organic honey or pure coconut oil on the top to encourage him. Don't feed large amounts all at once as this puts a lot of stress on the kidneys. Ideally, divide a normal sized daily intake for the breed and size of your dog into 4 to 6 small portions, and feed these every 2 to 3 hours. This will help enormously.
Next, check any and all food you give besides a main meal, including all treats. Many may contain high levels of phosphorus, sodium, colorants and flavourings ... these are all bad for kd dogs, so don't give them at all. As a treat, give small pieces of human grade (that's meat and poultry you would buy to eat for yourself) chicken, cook without salt and without skin, cool and cut into small pieces.
If you can get hold of it, cooked all-natural green tripe is a great occasional food for kd dogs, rich in good nutrients. You may find it as frozen blocks in a good local pet store. It stinks like hell when cooking it, but most dogs absolutely love it. Small amounts fed occasionally (once or twice a week) is very beneficial. It's high in fat (good for supplying energy), so not suitable as an every day food.
Starvation and dehydration can cause issues with creatinine, but it seems more likely that the creatinine is rising here due to kidney disease.
Let me know how you get on.
Tony
Hi Tony,
I am going through the renal Failure with my 15.5 yr old baby, She is on Subq fluids at home now and just beginning to eat after not eating anything for about 2 wks. She will not eat kd diets and will only eat my home cooked diet. Problem is the charts I've seen are so confusing I don't know the actual amount of phosphorous that I am feeding her. She is on Epakitin this time. I have read where all the suppliers rave about it, but then other sources discredt it. I am really lost and need some kind of support group that knows about this kind of thing. Hoping to join your group. Jane
Sorry Rossie, I messed up on this. I was trying to join the group but I'm not too good at this. However, I am hoping that your baby will be ok .