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Chronic Kidney Failure in Dogs User Group
If anyone wishes to join the Group (your input and participation will be appreciated) or anyone that has a dog with Chronic Kidney Failure and wants information, advice or support ... please click the following link: http://www.medhelp.org/groups/chronic_kidney_failure_in_dogs
Tony
Tony
Hi Tony,
Hope that you and your fur kids are well.....
I have been out of touch for a bit. Life has been so very busy taking care of my Chance. To give you an update...we were told mid August , given Chance's age , and kidney disease that she is palliative. There was talk about home euthanasia but I was not ready for that. So we opted for comfort care.
We are giving Chance daily medications... Famoditine, Mirtazapine, Tylosin (for her inflammatory bowel), Fortekor, Cerenia (on for 5 days and then off for 3 days) and Gabapentin --- for pain management. We are giving her phosphate binder (the white powder) after her breakfast and supper . We don't add it to her food as she often refuses food and doesn't finish . So to ensure she gets the right amount daily, we mix the phosphate binder with water and give it to her by syringe after she eats. We also give her probiotic this way as well before each meal. We are doing daily sub q fluids on her still using plasma lyte. She has bad arthritis and cannot have a bowel movement on her own so we assist her with that twice a day as well. She gets a vitamin b12 shot weekly. For her diet, we try to vary it as much as we can. Some days are good others not so great. BUT her weight has been fairly stable. 20.3 kg. The last blood work I had done was August 9 when we were told that she was at stage 3 and palliative based on her age and presenting symptoms. She is still with us. I am considering to do more blood work to see where things are at but was kind of discouraged of this initially as I was reminded that all this treatment is comfort care not curative. But I am going to request it be done. I am curious to know if things are stable, worse or a little improved. It is such an emotional illness. We are taking things day by day and continue to look for signs that perhaps it is time. I don't see those signs yet. I see my old dog looking back at me with loving eyes that reflect that she sometimes is having a bad day and really doesn't feel well . But I don't see signs that she is ready to go to the rainbow bridge. Maybe I just don't want to see it yet. We don't want her to suffer and are keeping close watch to make sure that her needs are met and she continues to live with the dignity she so much deserves. We love her and are doing are best.
Just wanted to give you an update as to where things are at with our loving Chance
Thanks,
Nancy
Hope that you and your fur kids are well.....
I have been out of touch for a bit. Life has been so very busy taking care of my Chance. To give you an update...we were told mid August , given Chance's age , and kidney disease that she is palliative. There was talk about home euthanasia but I was not ready for that. So we opted for comfort care.
We are giving Chance daily medications... Famoditine, Mirtazapine, Tylosin (for her inflammatory bowel), Fortekor, Cerenia (on for 5 days and then off for 3 days) and Gabapentin --- for pain management. We are giving her phosphate binder (the white powder) after her breakfast and supper . We don't add it to her food as she often refuses food and doesn't finish . So to ensure she gets the right amount daily, we mix the phosphate binder with water and give it to her by syringe after she eats. We also give her probiotic this way as well before each meal. We are doing daily sub q fluids on her still using plasma lyte. She has bad arthritis and cannot have a bowel movement on her own so we assist her with that twice a day as well. She gets a vitamin b12 shot weekly. For her diet, we try to vary it as much as we can. Some days are good others not so great. BUT her weight has been fairly stable. 20.3 kg. The last blood work I had done was August 9 when we were told that she was at stage 3 and palliative based on her age and presenting symptoms. She is still with us. I am considering to do more blood work to see where things are at but was kind of discouraged of this initially as I was reminded that all this treatment is comfort care not curative. But I am going to request it be done. I am curious to know if things are stable, worse or a little improved. It is such an emotional illness. We are taking things day by day and continue to look for signs that perhaps it is time. I don't see those signs yet. I see my old dog looking back at me with loving eyes that reflect that she sometimes is having a bad day and really doesn't feel well . But I don't see signs that she is ready to go to the rainbow bridge. Maybe I just don't want to see it yet. We don't want her to suffer and are keeping close watch to make sure that her needs are met and she continues to live with the dignity she so much deserves. We love her and are doing are best.
Just wanted to give you an update as to where things are at with our loving Chance
Thanks,
Nancy
Hi how can I start chatting with you all about Chronic Renal Failure. It is an on going process with my young boy,aged just 2 years old. Deteriating as we speak. Im am so upset.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Not sure if I am posting my new question in the right place, but here goes...
My Luke was diagnosed with CRF (kidneys only working at 25%) on 06-09-16. Since then he has been getting SQ saline fluids (1L 3x's/week). He has been on Royal Canin dog food since then, which he hates, so we have to sprinkle meat on top of it (hamburger or Chuck Roast) to get him to eat. We feed him 4-5 small meals per day, but we are lucky if he eats 2 out of the 5x's food is offered.
He gets 1/2 to 1 tramadol/day for pain, and also gets a 20mg pepsid, and 7.5mg of mirtazapine per day.
However, Thursday (08-11-16) Luke did not eat anything but a kick or two off the spoon the whole day (we now spoon feed him to get him to eat).
Friday, I panicked and emailed Laps of Love, because we have always been able to get him to eat something. I was finally able to get him to eat a small amount of Chuck Roast and broth that morning, and then later several small helpings of chicken breast that night (maybe 1.5 breasts, total). I was so excited. But today, he drank really well this morning, but I had to force his tramadol & pepsid down his throat, as he won't eat them in his pill pocket anymore (I did not give him the mirtazapine for the past 2 days, as I thought that was only to increase his appetite, but didn't realize it was for nausea as well...Luke is always hungry, but doesn't like the Royal Canin, and I can tell he is starving, but I feel like he is too nauseated to eat at times). He then are a bite or two of chicken, but later vomited. Today is the first day he has ever vomited. He also has not drank water since this morning (and true to CRF, he has always been great with drinking water). He also vomited small amounts of yellow-sputum 3x's this afternoon. I have tried to get him to drink and have also tried chicken, hamburger, and Chuck Roast to no avail.
Do I need to face that this is the end for my brave, sweet Luke? Or should I try getting water in his mouth in the morning with a syringe?
I absolutely hate forcing anything into his mouth, as much as I hate (and he hates) getting SQ fluids 3x's/week, but if this will prolong his quality of life, then I will do it (notice I said quality, not quantity, as I am most concerned with the quality). Up until today he has been active and alert. Since this morning, he has been lethargic and slept 90-95% of the day.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
My Luke was diagnosed with CRF (kidneys only working at 25%) on 06-09-16. Since then he has been getting SQ saline fluids (1L 3x's/week). He has been on Royal Canin dog food since then, which he hates, so we have to sprinkle meat on top of it (hamburger or Chuck Roast) to get him to eat. We feed him 4-5 small meals per day, but we are lucky if he eats 2 out of the 5x's food is offered.
He gets 1/2 to 1 tramadol/day for pain, and also gets a 20mg pepsid, and 7.5mg of mirtazapine per day.
However, Thursday (08-11-16) Luke did not eat anything but a kick or two off the spoon the whole day (we now spoon feed him to get him to eat).
Friday, I panicked and emailed Laps of Love, because we have always been able to get him to eat something. I was finally able to get him to eat a small amount of Chuck Roast and broth that morning, and then later several small helpings of chicken breast that night (maybe 1.5 breasts, total). I was so excited. But today, he drank really well this morning, but I had to force his tramadol & pepsid down his throat, as he won't eat them in his pill pocket anymore (I did not give him the mirtazapine for the past 2 days, as I thought that was only to increase his appetite, but didn't realize it was for nausea as well...Luke is always hungry, but doesn't like the Royal Canin, and I can tell he is starving, but I feel like he is too nauseated to eat at times). He then are a bite or two of chicken, but later vomited. Today is the first day he has ever vomited. He also has not drank water since this morning (and true to CRF, he has always been great with drinking water). He also vomited small amounts of yellow-sputum 3x's this afternoon. I have tried to get him to drink and have also tried chicken, hamburger, and Chuck Roast to no avail.
Do I need to face that this is the end for my brave, sweet Luke? Or should I try getting water in his mouth in the morning with a syringe?
I absolutely hate forcing anything into his mouth, as much as I hate (and he hates) getting SQ fluids 3x's/week, but if this will prolong his quality of life, then I will do it (notice I said quality, not quantity, as I am most concerned with the quality). Up until today he has been active and alert. Since this morning, he has been lethargic and slept 90-95% of the day.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
1 Comments
Hi. It would be useful to post the last blood and urine results so we know the stage of kidney disease and the balance of electrolytes and minerals. Although he is receiving SubQ fluids, has he actually had any IV Fluids by the vet? IV Fluids are more effective and faster acting than SubQ fluids - SubQ fluids are normally given for a 4 to 6 week period AFTER IV Fluids have been given.
Next, why is the vet prescribing saline fluids? Have they said? Saline is rich in sodium (salt), which is not always good for kidney failure dogs. Sometimes, saline is prescribed because the dog's blood levels show a low-sodium level, in which case saline is appropriate. In all other cases, Lactated Ringer solution is much better and safer for kidney disease dogs.
You haven't mentioned a phosphate binder, so I am assuming your dog is not on one? One of the reasons for higher toxins in the stomach and a deterioration of the disease is due to high levels of phosphorus in the blood (test results will prove this). Diet restriction of phosphorus is important, but there comes a time when this is not enough to control rising phosphorus. A phosphate binder will help enormously. The best one being aluminium hydroxide. This should be considered a priority.
Not sure how much phosphorus there is in Chuck Roast and other meats you are trying, but be aware if they are high in phosphorus, then they will make your dog's condition worse.
For water, I would try a very simple remedy ... plain chicken broth. Basically, just boil human grade (very important) chicken in water with nothing added to it (although you could add a few green beans and sticky white rice or barley), let it cool and then sieve or blend it - and then let your dog lap it up in small portions. This gets fluid and nourishment in at the same time.
For vomiting, try Ondanestron, which is the generic form of Zofran. This should stop he vomiting fairly quickly.
Mirtazipine is a good choice as an appetite stimulant and anti-nausea medication - but it may not solve the nausea on its own, so you might ask your vet to add Prilosec (Omeprazole) to help.
Has your dog had its blood pressure taken recently? If not, please consider this another priority. High blood pressure is common in CKD and makes the condition deteriorate much faster ... treating high blood pressure is very important and will help regain control of the disease.
Hope all of this helps.
Tony
Next, why is the vet prescribing saline fluids? Have they said? Saline is rich in sodium (salt), which is not always good for kidney failure dogs. Sometimes, saline is prescribed because the dog's blood levels show a low-sodium level, in which case saline is appropriate. In all other cases, Lactated Ringer solution is much better and safer for kidney disease dogs.
You haven't mentioned a phosphate binder, so I am assuming your dog is not on one? One of the reasons for higher toxins in the stomach and a deterioration of the disease is due to high levels of phosphorus in the blood (test results will prove this). Diet restriction of phosphorus is important, but there comes a time when this is not enough to control rising phosphorus. A phosphate binder will help enormously. The best one being aluminium hydroxide. This should be considered a priority.
Not sure how much phosphorus there is in Chuck Roast and other meats you are trying, but be aware if they are high in phosphorus, then they will make your dog's condition worse.
For water, I would try a very simple remedy ... plain chicken broth. Basically, just boil human grade (very important) chicken in water with nothing added to it (although you could add a few green beans and sticky white rice or barley), let it cool and then sieve or blend it - and then let your dog lap it up in small portions. This gets fluid and nourishment in at the same time.
For vomiting, try Ondanestron, which is the generic form of Zofran. This should stop he vomiting fairly quickly.
Mirtazipine is a good choice as an appetite stimulant and anti-nausea medication - but it may not solve the nausea on its own, so you might ask your vet to add Prilosec (Omeprazole) to help.
Has your dog had its blood pressure taken recently? If not, please consider this another priority. High blood pressure is common in CKD and makes the condition deteriorate much faster ... treating high blood pressure is very important and will help regain control of the disease.
Hope all of this helps.
Tony
Hi. Just to correct you for the benefit of others that might be reading this ... kidneys do not recover as such, although the progression of kidney failure in chronic renal conditions can be slowed down substantially with good management and providing there is more than 25% of organ tissue unaffected. In acute renal failure, the kidneys are also damaged, but the progression of damage can be halted at the point of intervention, if caught early enough.
Sorry for the need to clarify, but false hope of kidney organ recovery is not something we can afford to encourage.
Tony
Sorry for the need to clarify, but false hope of kidney organ recovery is not something we can afford to encourage.
Tony
Hi. We got the new that our 12yr carin,pom mix missy has ckf levels were high. Bun 146 and creatine at 5.5. Been doing sub q at home 2xday on kd food eating wet and dry mix on epaktin as well. She was great one day then 2wks ago started vomiting and such no eating so we blanded diet and such then finally got blood work to reveal ckf. Stopped vomiting day one and such on treatment, Now 1st 2 days on fluids and such doing real good moving eating up and about but the past 2 days she has been laying down and not wanting to move alot steps are hard for her and such. Trying to go on as long as we can but wondering if the end is near or we need something else to help.
1 Comments
I'm going to start a new post for you with Missy as the title ... please go to it and use it for posting.
Hi, I am new to this group. I have a 9 yr old mini Australian shepherd that has been battling kidney disease for over two years. Unfortunately, he is coming towards the end of that battle and I'm just looking for support from those who have gone through the same thing. It's never an easy thing to say goodbye to a beloved pet, but we will soon have to make that hard decision. I welcome any advice anyone may have. Thank you.
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