Canine Kidney Disease Lifespan .....Survey?

[TwoBitsMom]

When a person is told that their dog has kidney failure, the biggest question is, How much more time can I reasonably expect my dog to live...? Because each dog is different, Veterinarians and the internet, are vague...some say weeks to months...others say months to years.  I hope the information collected here, along with recommendations and guidance from the dogs veterinarian, will offer dog owners helpful information, and realistic expectations. I would like to hear some input from others, as to what information would be helpful.  For example...Breed, Age, Symptoms, Creatine, Bun, and Phorsphorus levels at time of first exam that revealed Kidney Disease, as well as End Stage Symptoms and Lab Values ( if known. )   How Quickly did the disease progress. Did the dog die naturally, or was the death assisted. I think this type of information would be very helpful to anyone and their dog, who has to deal with this disease. I would prefer it, if anyone who offers the information, could refrain from sharing personal stories, and just try to list information. Does anyone else think this is a good idea....or not...?  Please share your thoughts with me.....Thanks
Connie

[SadieLa]

My dog Sadie has kidney failure.  She was diagnosed in April.  I saw the vet 2 days ago and he said kidney failure is an awful disease and irreversible.  He told me to take Sadie home and if she did not eat and was throwing up that I should bring her back in 2-3 days to put her to sleep.  I am saddened by this since she has been my shadow, a Yorkie trait, for 10 years.  As I have watched her these last days I know her quality of life is zero.  She has a small cough all of the time now and I cannot watch her suffer.  I will take her in tomorrow and put her to sleep and she will be at peace.  I would like to note that my vet was honest with me and said that there was nothing to be done to increase the length of her life and it is an insidious disease.  The pet suffers no matter what you do.  He was honest with me and I appreciate that.  I guess I am lucky because he gave me a time frame not that it makes it any easier to let her go.  P.S.
  Watching her these last 3 days I realize that it would be selfish to keep her living.  She is suffering and could have back pain, and her lungs probably are filling with fluid due to cough.  You need to ask yourself if this is what you want for your sweet, loving, devoted pet.  I will miss my shadow but I know in my heart that it is the responsible thing to do as a pet owner.  

[tonyb286]

SadieLa ... Sorry to slightly disagree with you - not related to your own situation - but to others that may be reading these posts.

While chronic kidney disease is not curable and is progressive, we are often able to extend lifespan AND improve and sustain a good quality of life for months and sometimes for a year or two. It takes early diagnosis, good pro-active management, commitment and expertise ... but it is achievable.

Using euthanasia is not always the necessary first step and can be delayed, if management and treatment is intensive and both owner and vet are onboard. Owners are best advised to get all the facts, take on board what your vet tells you and consult widely for a second opinion. Armed with all the facts (including all blood and urinalysis reports), an owner can make an informed decision.

Tony

[Floydsmom]

Oh boy, none of this is very encouraging. Our 2 yr old standard poodle became suddenly sick. Rushed him to the emergency room. He spent 3 days there on iv fluids & his CR levels hit 6.8 . I took him home when they dropped to 4.4, BUN 88. They've dropped to 2.2, he's now eating & has energy back, which is very encouraging. We're down to a 1.2 litre bag of fluid a day...until his next test. We're over $6000 into this to date & they still can't tell us what the heck caused this. They're thinking it's Leptospirosis, but can't confirm that until they find antibodies present in his blood, hopefully by next week. I'm beyond heart-broken & thought for sure he was going to die. I'm cooking for for him now & have everyone I know praying.

[tonyb286]

Lepto is a common cause of Acute Renal Failure, so it's very possible. It would be useful (once your dog is back to good health) to have all blood levels repeated, have a urinalysis undertaken and an SDMA test (Idexx Labs). This will help your vet decide whether the renal issues have developed into a chronic condition. This is important, because if it has become chronic, symptoms may not show ... but the condition will continue to deteriorate until it becomes severe. What I'm trying to say is, please have the tests done, because if chronic kidney failure is present, it is best managed early to prevent a very fast deterioration.

If Lepto is not the cause, then pay close attention to what you may be feeding (poor quality foods, and dry foods in particular, can contribute to kidney failure). It's also worth thinking about any toxic chemicals you may be using inside and outside your home, as these too will cause the disease, if they are consumed). Finally, it may be congenital, in which case an ultra scan of the kidneys may be helpful to achieve a diagnosis.

Tony

[Chloe11now]

I'm so confused and angry with my vet right now. I took my dog in about 6 wks ago because she threw up all night (20) times. They did blood work because they said blood flow didn't sound right in heart. I went in for results and they said stage 3 kidnew disease. Maybe 3-6 months. Also has mouth disease,can't do surgery on mouth because of kidney disease. Was in shock and devastated. Took her in yesterday, blood work on kidneys, checked urine. They said blood,urine normal,that being dehydrated caused the bad counts before. How could they be so bad, then nothing. No kidney disease? I feel so jerked around,angry and confused. I'd read up on symptoms,how to care for her end stage, and preparing myself. She does that shaking her whole body a lot, shivers off and on during a day, she's blind for a yr but seems little more disoriented. She did get happy, friendlier and wants to eat all the time again. Does anyone think it's possible the awful blood work had to come from dehydraton? Thanks..for Chloe.

[Tcepavel]

Don't give up hope, my dog was diagnosed with lepto about 6 weeks ago and her creatinine became 6.1 but with fluids and antibiotics she came down to 3.1.  We are doing fluids twice a week and cooking chicken or hamburger and rice and she is loving watermelon (seedless) and cucumbers which have water in them.  She is 6 years old.

[Tinka10753]

To the best of my knowledge, it's only prescribed by veterinarian's.

[Tinka10753]

To the best of my knowledge, it's only prescribed by veterinarian's.

[tonyb286]

Hi. Firstly, I am sorry for your loss. I do however have to correct your statement "This is wrong to give a dog protein. Protein makes kidney disease worse." ... which is not correct. In fact, proteins are absolutely essential for most dogs with kidney disease, as it provides vital energy. The important thing about protein is the TYPE of protein - in kidney disease, it must be high quality (so human grade meats and poultry). Protein restriction down to about 8% of a meal is generally advised when the disease reaches stage 3 and 4, but in stages 1 and 2 adequate protein of about 15%-18% of the daily diet is recommended.

Tony

[Aiden1978]

I am sorry that your dog is sick. I hope your dog will respons well for all the medications. On Valentine's Day I lost my baby Lili, she was a Yorkie 12 years old,  and she suffered for chronic kidney disease diognosed 10 months ago, I had to put her to sleep.  It's terrible disese. I still feel guilty of that decion, but I couldn't stand the look how she suffered last days.