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my dogs results are higher than everyone else's, i'm concerned
My dog, Beauxgie (pronounced 'Bogey' I'm from Louisiana), is a 9 year old 'cheagle' (chihuahua and beagle mix), 15.5 lbs, just had bloodwork done and had the following results:
BUN-109
Cr- 5.9
amylase- 2728
Phos- 10
SDMA- 56
They did determine he has a UTI and he has been put on an antibiotic to clear that up. Their initial reaction was to clear that up and recheck labs in a week to see how they were. The Dx was 'Chronic Renal Failure'. We are now on the Renal diet, which he does like and eats right up, the best he has ever eaten since i've had him (which is only 6 months). We also do fluid treatments of 200 mL each day for 5 days and an appetite stimulant. He perked right up the day following the first day of fluids and new food, but the following night he seems lethargic. This could just be me having heightened awareness of the symptoms of CKD. He is an older dog and certainly isn't running laps, so it could be normally and slightly reduced because of his condition. The vets don't seem to act like this is an OMG thing. I asked about putting him on epakitin or some other phosphate binder and they said no, not yet.
I read others numbers and they all seem to be much much lower than his and everyone else has horrible results. I worry my little guy won't be around for long if his levels are this high and others with lower levels did lose their dogs in a short span of time. Not sure what to think.
BUN-109
Cr- 5.9
amylase- 2728
Phos- 10
SDMA- 56
They did determine he has a UTI and he has been put on an antibiotic to clear that up. Their initial reaction was to clear that up and recheck labs in a week to see how they were. The Dx was 'Chronic Renal Failure'. We are now on the Renal diet, which he does like and eats right up, the best he has ever eaten since i've had him (which is only 6 months). We also do fluid treatments of 200 mL each day for 5 days and an appetite stimulant. He perked right up the day following the first day of fluids and new food, but the following night he seems lethargic. This could just be me having heightened awareness of the symptoms of CKD. He is an older dog and certainly isn't running laps, so it could be normally and slightly reduced because of his condition. The vets don't seem to act like this is an OMG thing. I asked about putting him on epakitin or some other phosphate binder and they said no, not yet.
I read others numbers and they all seem to be much much lower than his and everyone else has horrible results. I worry my little guy won't be around for long if his levels are this high and others with lower levels did lose their dogs in a short span of time. Not sure what to think.
Hi. It's great that you're using canned food rather than dry. This helps get additional fluids in (canned is about 80% water). Royal Canin is good - so keep going with that until he chooses to stop eating it, and then try switching to something like Hills kd or something similar.
I am a bit concerned they didn't do a culture and sensitivity ... unfortunately, this means the vets are working "in the dark" as it were, and guessing that a broad spectrum antibiotic will solve the infection. Of course, the danger being, it won't. A culture and sensitivity test will highlight which antibiotics are best for treating the particular type of infection, thereby solving it sooner and improving the health of your dog faster.
There are lots of phosphate binders on the market. Eggshells provide a calcium based binder, which is not the best, in my opinion. The other problem with eggshells is they are calcium carbonate, which involves consuming huge amounts to have any effect. Calcium is a crucial element in kidney failure, as it interacts in the canine body with potassium to control a substance called PTH (a hormone). Giving higher levels of calcium (as eggshells) can put this balance out of step and cause additional problems. Calcium acetate is better, as it uses 40% less calcium to do the same job. My personal preference as a binder is aluminium hydroxide, which still has its problems as with all binders, but is the better option I think.
Blood pressure is a crucial test. Many dogs with kd have high blood pressure, which causes the kidney disease to deteriorate faster.
PURE salmon oil (just a teaspoon a day) is good. PURE coconut oil is also a good supplement. Azodyl has some promising effects too. I would be a little wary of vitamins, as they can adversely interfere with things. Vitamin D, for example, cannot be processed by dogs with kidney disease and increases the toxins in the body, causing more harm than good. Also, human vitamins should never be used, as they are often too concetrated for dogs.
Hope this helps.
Tony
I am a bit concerned they didn't do a culture and sensitivity ... unfortunately, this means the vets are working "in the dark" as it were, and guessing that a broad spectrum antibiotic will solve the infection. Of course, the danger being, it won't. A culture and sensitivity test will highlight which antibiotics are best for treating the particular type of infection, thereby solving it sooner and improving the health of your dog faster.
There are lots of phosphate binders on the market. Eggshells provide a calcium based binder, which is not the best, in my opinion. The other problem with eggshells is they are calcium carbonate, which involves consuming huge amounts to have any effect. Calcium is a crucial element in kidney failure, as it interacts in the canine body with potassium to control a substance called PTH (a hormone). Giving higher levels of calcium (as eggshells) can put this balance out of step and cause additional problems. Calcium acetate is better, as it uses 40% less calcium to do the same job. My personal preference as a binder is aluminium hydroxide, which still has its problems as with all binders, but is the better option I think.
Blood pressure is a crucial test. Many dogs with kd have high blood pressure, which causes the kidney disease to deteriorate faster.
PURE salmon oil (just a teaspoon a day) is good. PURE coconut oil is also a good supplement. Azodyl has some promising effects too. I would be a little wary of vitamins, as they can adversely interfere with things. Vitamin D, for example, cannot be processed by dogs with kidney disease and increases the toxins in the body, causing more harm than good. Also, human vitamins should never be used, as they are often too concetrated for dogs.
Hope this helps.
Tony
This is excellent information.
Beauxgie is on the Royal Kanin Renal Diet and eats ¾ of a can spread across 2 meals. I read another owner saying she fed her dog 4 times a day. I can certainly do that and will start in the morning.
They did not do a culture or sensitivity test.
We moved up our vet visit to this week so I will request for the prescription phosphate binder, but int he meantime, are there any natural ones I can be using? I heard heard of ground up eggshells.
I also thought I would ask about his blood pressure and adding omega 3 salmon oil to his food as well as any other vitamins.
Beauxgie is on the Royal Kanin Renal Diet and eats ¾ of a can spread across 2 meals. I read another owner saying she fed her dog 4 times a day. I can certainly do that and will start in the morning.
They did not do a culture or sensitivity test.
We moved up our vet visit to this week so I will request for the prescription phosphate binder, but int he meantime, are there any natural ones I can be using? I heard heard of ground up eggshells.
I also thought I would ask about his blood pressure and adding omega 3 salmon oil to his food as well as any other vitamins.
A couple of things I meant to add ...
What renal diet is Beauxgie on?
Do you know that it is wise to try feeding the daily amount of food over a much longer period? So, whereas a healthy dog might be given one large bowl of food a day, or two slightly smaller ones, a CKF dog should be fed the same amount but spread over 4 meals during the day. These smaller amounts place less stress on the kidneys and give them a better chance of dealing with the food breakdown and any toxin by-products produced during digestion.
And just in case you haven't read my article on diagnosis and first-line treatment, please try to find some time to read this, which I think will help:
http://www.infobarrel.com/My_10-Point_Plan_for_Dogs_with_Kidney_Failure
Tony
What renal diet is Beauxgie on?
Do you know that it is wise to try feeding the daily amount of food over a much longer period? So, whereas a healthy dog might be given one large bowl of food a day, or two slightly smaller ones, a CKF dog should be fed the same amount but spread over 4 meals during the day. These smaller amounts place less stress on the kidneys and give them a better chance of dealing with the food breakdown and any toxin by-products produced during digestion.
And just in case you haven't read my article on diagnosis and first-line treatment, please try to find some time to read this, which I think will help:
http://www.infobarrel.com/My_10-Point_Plan_for_Dogs_with_Kidney_Failure
Tony
Hi. Yes, the numbers are high, but fluids and getting the UTI under control are the right things to do right now. Did the vet do a culture and sensitivity test to assess which antibiotic would be the best for the type of UTI?
Your vet may not be aware that the current thinking is to start a phosphate binder earlier rather than later, as this provides much greater long-term control. It's much more difficult to get the phosphate level back down once it has climbed high. There is good evidence for this and I have the research paper somewhere, if you need it.
CKD is not always predictable and it affects each individual dog in a unique way ... but there are common symptoms and ways of dealing with them that prove the most successful. I'm pleased you have found us here - there's lots of good people, all with experience of owning a CKD dog and how best to manage things.
I think you are on the right track, so for now, just keep going and stay strong.
Keep updating with any new info.
Tony
Your vet may not be aware that the current thinking is to start a phosphate binder earlier rather than later, as this provides much greater long-term control. It's much more difficult to get the phosphate level back down once it has climbed high. There is good evidence for this and I have the research paper somewhere, if you need it.
CKD is not always predictable and it affects each individual dog in a unique way ... but there are common symptoms and ways of dealing with them that prove the most successful. I'm pleased you have found us here - there's lots of good people, all with experience of owning a CKD dog and how best to manage things.
I think you are on the right track, so for now, just keep going and stay strong.
Keep updating with any new info.
Tony
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