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Early stage renal failure. Advice appreciated
My Misty was diagnosed today with very very early stage renal failure. I was aware she had started drinking more than usual, and in spite of the vet reassuring me the quantity of water she was taking on board was still in the "normal" area for a dog her weight, I knew that something was wrong.
Her urine test showed no abnormality, but her blood test showed Creatinine slightly raised, and urea also. Sufficiently for the vet to give that diagnosis.
He did say we have caught it at a very early stage. There is no elevation in her Phosphorus levels right now.
He has put her on ACE inhibitors (one a day) which will improve blood flow to the idneys,and an antibiotic, to see if that will completely eliminate any subtle presence of infection (although her white blood cell count was not elevated)
She as also been given Royal Canin prescription Renal diet (canned and dry kibble)
She is acting very fit and well, eating well, no other symptoms, she doesn't know anything is wrong with her!
This is right out of my league, I know little about Kidney Failure, am reseaching of course, and am doing everything the vet advises. But please, I would appreciate any advice (particularly diet-related) from anyone who has experience with this.
She likes the (notoriously unpalatable) Royal Canin Renal dry food, which I am introducing gradually over the next few days, at the beginning alongside her regular food. She wolfed it down! So that's a good start.
But I need to know, apart from that, what else can I and can't I -give her?
I am aware low protein is the key....but would she be allowed ANYTHING else at all? Are, for instance, vegetables not allowed...or egg white? or tiny pieces of apple....or saltfree wholemeal bread, etc (which is the best thing to wrap her tablets up in to get her to swallow them!)
Any advice would be much appreciated,
Ginger
Her urine test showed no abnormality, but her blood test showed Creatinine slightly raised, and urea also. Sufficiently for the vet to give that diagnosis.
He did say we have caught it at a very early stage. There is no elevation in her Phosphorus levels right now.
He has put her on ACE inhibitors (one a day) which will improve blood flow to the idneys,and an antibiotic, to see if that will completely eliminate any subtle presence of infection (although her white blood cell count was not elevated)
She as also been given Royal Canin prescription Renal diet (canned and dry kibble)
She is acting very fit and well, eating well, no other symptoms, she doesn't know anything is wrong with her!
This is right out of my league, I know little about Kidney Failure, am reseaching of course, and am doing everything the vet advises. But please, I would appreciate any advice (particularly diet-related) from anyone who has experience with this.
She likes the (notoriously unpalatable) Royal Canin Renal dry food, which I am introducing gradually over the next few days, at the beginning alongside her regular food. She wolfed it down! So that's a good start.
But I need to know, apart from that, what else can I and can't I -give her?
I am aware low protein is the key....but would she be allowed ANYTHING else at all? Are, for instance, vegetables not allowed...or egg white? or tiny pieces of apple....or saltfree wholemeal bread, etc (which is the best thing to wrap her tablets up in to get her to swallow them!)
Any advice would be much appreciated,
Ginger
COMMUNITY LEADER
Connie, thank you very much. I didn't feel my answer to your survey question was very useful really. I know you need more answers yet from more people who have had this problem with their dogs.
I think I have been trying to do "too much too soon" the last 3 days, and got tied up in knots, as I expected the answers I sought to be fairly cut-and-dried. But -as I am learning, Kidney Failure has so many different stages, and responses to those stages re: diet and medication etc. And the solutions are not all just there on a plate.
Yes she is fortunate that this was discovered early. The vet sad that too and said it was good that I pushed for a blood sample even though even HE didn't think her water drinking was excessive (but I know my dog! And I know when somethng is different about her)
Of course, the only thing that can EVER be done with KF is hopefully "plateau out" at the stage the dog is at when the condition is first diagnosed. And keep that going as long as possible before full renal failure happens.
She likes the Royal Canin diet food. No problem. Both the canned and dry variety. I have her at about 80%/20% (R.C. to her old food) by today. Her energy levels are spectacular. Her general condition and fitness -wonderful. Her appetite -great. I've noticed a very slight weight gain on the new food, but she looks fine, and that's probably because I haven't got the portion measures right yet (she won't complain!)
But she is still drinking lots of water, as before. I keep thinking -if we really really stabilize her, surely her heavy drinking will ease up a bit?
Anyway, this is a learning curve and I am working at it.
I'm aproaching the point where I'm wondering if adding a phosphorus-binder (Calcium Carbonate in the form of ground egg-shells as I can't buy "Tums" here)...might help a lot, so she can have some protein foods like chicken or fish in moderation.
I think I have been trying to do "too much too soon" the last 3 days, and got tied up in knots, as I expected the answers I sought to be fairly cut-and-dried. But -as I am learning, Kidney Failure has so many different stages, and responses to those stages re: diet and medication etc. And the solutions are not all just there on a plate.
Yes she is fortunate that this was discovered early. The vet sad that too and said it was good that I pushed for a blood sample even though even HE didn't think her water drinking was excessive (but I know my dog! And I know when somethng is different about her)
Of course, the only thing that can EVER be done with KF is hopefully "plateau out" at the stage the dog is at when the condition is first diagnosed. And keep that going as long as possible before full renal failure happens.
She likes the Royal Canin diet food. No problem. Both the canned and dry variety. I have her at about 80%/20% (R.C. to her old food) by today. Her energy levels are spectacular. Her general condition and fitness -wonderful. Her appetite -great. I've noticed a very slight weight gain on the new food, but she looks fine, and that's probably because I haven't got the portion measures right yet (she won't complain!)
But she is still drinking lots of water, as before. I keep thinking -if we really really stabilize her, surely her heavy drinking will ease up a bit?
Anyway, this is a learning curve and I am working at it.
I'm aproaching the point where I'm wondering if adding a phosphorus-binder (Calcium Carbonate in the form of ground egg-shells as I can't buy "Tums" here)...might help a lot, so she can have some protein foods like chicken or fish in moderation.
Hi Ginger....
I've been thinking that as long as she is Happy and Ok with the Kidney Diet dog food, let her have it...I mean, it doesn't sound very good to us, but if she is OK with it, then take some comfort in that. As long as she is more than Happy to gobble it up, it will give you some time to do your research, and you can relax alittle, knowing that she is OK with the food.
I do know what you mean about the confusion of proteins and the renal diet.
There seems to be growing evidence, that protein does not accelerate the progression of the disease, as much as Phosphorus does.
Some studies even suggest that Dogs with Renal Failure may need more protein in their diets....!
All the inconsistancies about this disease, drive a person crazy.
So many people find out about their dogs kidney failure when the disease is fairly well progressed. This forces many of us to have to make hurried decisions about diets, medications, tests, etc.
You found out early, so you do have some time to figure out the best plan of action.
Do yourself and your dog a favor, and take a little breather....get away from the computer tomorrow...and enjoy your dog...!
Connie
I've been thinking that as long as she is Happy and Ok with the Kidney Diet dog food, let her have it...I mean, it doesn't sound very good to us, but if she is OK with it, then take some comfort in that. As long as she is more than Happy to gobble it up, it will give you some time to do your research, and you can relax alittle, knowing that she is OK with the food.
I do know what you mean about the confusion of proteins and the renal diet.
There seems to be growing evidence, that protein does not accelerate the progression of the disease, as much as Phosphorus does.
Some studies even suggest that Dogs with Renal Failure may need more protein in their diets....!
All the inconsistancies about this disease, drive a person crazy.
So many people find out about their dogs kidney failure when the disease is fairly well progressed. This forces many of us to have to make hurried decisions about diets, medications, tests, etc.
You found out early, so you do have some time to figure out the best plan of action.
Do yourself and your dog a favor, and take a little breather....get away from the computer tomorrow...and enjoy your dog...!
Connie
COMMUNITY LEADER
Oh Connie....I can never rest until a problem is cracked wide open! I have been known to stay up all night to solve something before I can sleep!
But I know -this can't be solved in a day or two. It's something I will learn more and more about each day.
I don't sit at it all day though. We run around the countryside most of the daylight hours!
Anyway...very interesting update....
I started adding ground eggshells to her food (to act as Phosphorus-binders) I am told that because she had no Blood Phosphorus elevation when she was tested, that isn't so important at this stage....But I did it anyway. I didn't think it would do any harm.
Well, I gave her a 1/4 teaspoonful with her breakfast food (about a half-pound weight) and the same with her dinner (same weight) And tonight I look at her water dish, and can see that today her water consumption was HALF the amount she was drinking before. (she has been drinking water like it was going out of fashion for weeks)
Now I don't know if that really means anything yet. I might be speaking too soon. But there is a definite change tonight
But I know -this can't be solved in a day or two. It's something I will learn more and more about each day.
I don't sit at it all day though. We run around the countryside most of the daylight hours!
Anyway...very interesting update....
I started adding ground eggshells to her food (to act as Phosphorus-binders) I am told that because she had no Blood Phosphorus elevation when she was tested, that isn't so important at this stage....But I did it anyway. I didn't think it would do any harm.
Well, I gave her a 1/4 teaspoonful with her breakfast food (about a half-pound weight) and the same with her dinner (same weight) And tonight I look at her water dish, and can see that today her water consumption was HALF the amount she was drinking before. (she has been drinking water like it was going out of fashion for weeks)
Now I don't know if that really means anything yet. I might be speaking too soon. But there is a definite change tonight
Ginger....I'm SO glad to hear you don't spend your entire day at the computer..!
And even better, I'm glad to hear Misty is just going with the flow, and probably enjoying her new and exciting menu...! Ground eggshells are easy, a mortar and pestle really grinds them into a fine powder. You mentioned you cannot get Tums....? Why not...? Are they regulated by presciption only...? Tums are available over the counter here in the U.S........HMMMM...what's up..?
Thanks for such and uplifting report on Misty....Have a great day...Connie
And even better, I'm glad to hear Misty is just going with the flow, and probably enjoying her new and exciting menu...! Ground eggshells are easy, a mortar and pestle really grinds them into a fine powder. You mentioned you cannot get Tums....? Why not...? Are they regulated by presciption only...? Tums are available over the counter here in the U.S........HMMMM...what's up..?
Thanks for such and uplifting report on Misty....Have a great day...Connie
COMMUNITY LEADER
No, there's no regulation against them or anything, it's just that I don't see them here in pharmacies, there are other products instead, like Rennies, etc... trouble is, the other products don't just have Calcium Carbonate, but other additives I'd be unsure about giving her.
She does seem to be drinking SLIGHTLY less today again. That's not my imagination as I measure her water. She got up to 800ml a day (28lb dog) which was WAY more than she's drunk all her life especially as she does have some "wet" food too. Yesterday she drank 480, today about 500 so far. She won't take on much more now because it's late evening and she doesn't drink after about 11pm(!) dunno why!?
Anyway I've decided to cut to the chase, and stop myself having to carry the world on my shoulders. I have booked a consultation with a veterinary nutritionist, who is also a practicing veterinarian. She has the knowledge I need to be able to really trust what to do.
She does seem to be drinking SLIGHTLY less today again. That's not my imagination as I measure her water. She got up to 800ml a day (28lb dog) which was WAY more than she's drunk all her life especially as she does have some "wet" food too. Yesterday she drank 480, today about 500 so far. She won't take on much more now because it's late evening and she doesn't drink after about 11pm(!) dunno why!?
Anyway I've decided to cut to the chase, and stop myself having to carry the world on my shoulders. I have booked a consultation with a veterinary nutritionist, who is also a practicing veterinarian. She has the knowledge I need to be able to really trust what to do.
Ginger....!
That sounds like a wonderful idea....!
I don't think we have anything like a veterinary nutritionist around Northern Minnesota....!
Lucky Misty....! Having guidance with her new diet will be a big help.
I will be sure to check in once in a while to see how things are going for you both....Until then....Best wishes for both of you....Connie
That sounds like a wonderful idea....!
I don't think we have anything like a veterinary nutritionist around Northern Minnesota....!
Lucky Misty....! Having guidance with her new diet will be a big help.
I will be sure to check in once in a while to see how things are going for you both....Until then....Best wishes for both of you....Connie
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