Puppy with Renal Dysplasia... Is a Low Protein Diet OK?

We took our 5 1/2 month old miniature american eskimo puppy in to be spayed a couple weeks ago, before the surgery they ran normal blood tests and found that her BUN levels were elevated (35) so they didn't do the spay and said to come back in 2 weeks for another blood test.  2 weeks later we went in to have another blood test done, BUN level was now 47 and now Creatine level was slightly elevated.  They did an ultrasound that found she had Renal Dysplasia, stating that her kidneys were not formed correctly in the womb.  They put her on Hill's Prescription Diet K/D and said to come back in a month to check her levels again and said that after that we'd prob need to bring her in to check her levels every 3 months but that basically there is no cure and all we could do was make her as comfortable as possible in the time she has left.  She is normally active and other than having an urinary infection when we first got her (around 2 months old) she hadn't had any of the other symptoms of vomiting and nausea, as the only reason we had even taken her in was for the spay procedure, otherwise we wouldn't even have known anything was wrong.  

We started her on the prescription diet as soon as we could get it (Friday night) and it is now Monday morning.  She's fine with the new food (in fact probably eats it faster than she used to eat her old food) but it seems like she might be taking naps more than before and her activity level seems to have lowered a little too.  I'm wondering if perhaps the new diet doesn't have enough nutrition to support her activity level?

I've been researching online and have found there to be a disagreement on whether to feed a puppy a low protein diet, as well as seeing other treatments involving high quality protein rather than low protein diets?  I've seen a lot of sites recommending egg whites as it is high quality protein and low phosphorus.  Should I consider adding egg whites on top of the prescription diet?  Or would I need to choose to go with one or the other?  I just want to keep her as happy as possible for as long as possible and don't want her under-nourished/feeling tired all the time.  

Please help.

[Misfits4Me]

Hi Gloria...Welcome...I'm sorry you found this forum under these circumstances.....
I have not delt with Kidney Disease personally (Knock on wood), but I am here to support you...There are alot of others here that have and I'm hoping they will pop in soon.....

There is also ALOT of info. for you in the archives of this forum and the "Ask A Vet" forum...You use the "search this community" button.....The ones that I think you will benefit from the most are the ones posted by "Dr. Chang" in the Vet forum.....These are the ones that stand out in my mind....She has posted alot about Kidney Diseases and food.....Start there....Scroll through & look for her postings.....

Although I understand the concept of the low protein diet.....I think a growing puppy needs meat!!!  I also believe the theory has shifted towards needing protein instead of not...Dr. Chang has answered that very question...It's in there.. I DO know that Wet or canned food is the best choice for Kidney disease!  (Because of the moisture content); helps to flush the kidneys. It also is more nutritious because it is not as highly processed as dry....Thus, double benefit!  ;)

I'm hoping that this will help you alittle and give you a place to start.....Let me know what you find out and please stick around and keep us updated......Karla

[Misfits4Me]

Gloria.....I spelled the name wrong....The posts will be under "Aleda Cheng DVM, CVA".

[Misfits4Me]

I found an easier way to check her replies:
Go to the "Ask A Vet" forum...Click on "General Health" link....On the right side of the page will be a listing of all the Vets. Click on Dr. Cheng's Page....When you get to her main page, there is a link for "Posts".... Scroll through her posts for your answers......There is alot of info. on Renal Disease, Kidneys, BUN levels, food, supplements,etc.....This will help you narrow your search....Karla