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

[HJ_K]

Hello to another Shih Tzu owner,

My Bailey 11.8 years old was  diagnosed in July and had a 4.9 creatinine, urea Nitrogen 93, phosphorus 6.3.  5 lb weight loss. The ultrasound showed kidneys to be extremely small, no stones. As of last night I have started him on 100 ML fluids  subcutaneously. 10 mg Pepcid twice a day Trying to figure out best foods for him?mI love my little guy so much.
Wondering how your dog is doing?

HJ_K

[tonyb286]

Hi Susan. Yes, some supplements are helpful. I'll have to check what's in 5-Leaf, which I've heard of, but not checked out. Just one point (mainly for our kidney failure dog owners) ... the liver is one of the few organs in the body that can repair itself, providing a disease has not damaged it too much - but the kidneys cannot do the same thing. Once they are damaged, the damaged sections remain damaged regardless of treatment or supplements, and the aim is always to prevent further damage being done.

Tony

[vunka]

My Sheltie Jax went into liver failure last Sept and is still here. Vet said he had horrible numbers and was in end stage. I put him in animal hosp for 1 week, when we brought him home would not eat, I bought him Canine drops from 5 Leaf Pet pharmacy and followed their protocal. We went from infusing twice a day at home to sometimes once a month. He eats no dog food, he eats eggs, pasta, gerber baby food, sweet potatoes, cooked shrimp, cooked or boiled burger, beef, rice, watermelon, blueberries, apples, carrotts, eggs and toast. just no pork, onions, grapes, choclate, raisans.  he is doing good, still have to infuse from time to time but do drops and people food and he is still here with me. Go to 5 leaf Pet Pharmacy and look up Canine kidney health. Buy drips, feed real food and infuse when instructed. Puppy can live longer! Best of Luck.....Susan

[tonyb286]

Hi Debbie. Yes, please join our User Group. I think your input would be invaluable to others going through the same process with this dreadful disease. And thank you Jan for promoting our User Group. We are at almost 100 members now - and everyone in it are "family" - offering information, support and advice to each other and anyone who visits.

Tony

[JanisM13]

I am so very sorry for the loss of your little lady.
It must have been very hard for you,seeing the
great love you had for her to come here and to
share the ways you helped her, for that THANK
YOU it may help others through this terrible
journey.
It is too late but we do have an excellent forum
here run by Tony and other folks like you who
have gone down this road who offer help or
information to others who have fur kids with
kidney issues.
RUN FREE AND FAST little lady and again,I
want to thank you for sharing your story.
Jan

[DebbieDH]

I found my poodle as a a stray in 2002. They guessed her to be around 2. In August of 2013, we found that she was in kidney failure. Her body adjusted and she lived another 2 years. I had her put to sleep just a few days ago, August 13, 2015. On July 31st, her BUN and CRE levels showed that she  had gotten much worse. She was now declining quickly. The past week there were days when she ate nothing. We assisted in her death because she was so weak and we knew she was not going to get better. I am grateful that I had those 2 years. She was approximately 15 when she passed. A few things I learned that I really feel helped. The last few years I fed her Earthborn holistic dog food mixed with home cooked veggies. I gave her half diet and half meadow feast to reduce the protein a bit. But, I did give her high quality protein like chicken, beef or cooked egg whites mixed with her food sometimes. She rarely got store bought treats. I made her sweet potato chips in the oven. She loved them. My vet recommended Epakitin to sprinkle on her food. I did not push her in her activities. When we went walking, if she got tired, my husband or I would carry her. We loved her very much. I hope this info helps someone. Best wishes to you all. ~debbie