16 yr old Pom just diagnosed with stage 4 kidney disease

[Aspenwil]

My Pom had vomitting and diarrhea and took him to vet and ran bloodwork to find he has stage 4 kidney disease. Was sent home with antibiotics and probiotics for his stomach. He still refused to eat but was drinking on his own. So I started feeding with syringe and his diarreah has stopped. I have to encourage him to drink water as he is declining so quickly. He has started rapid breathing and looks terrified. The vomitting also stopped until this morning, he had bile come up. I have been researching the disease online and his condition is changing so rapidly that I don't feel like I'm keeping up and at a loss on what to do. The vet is closed for Easter weekend and said that we could try IV but can't guarantee it would help or how he would respond. I just want to understand what is happening to him and how to help my baby. Please.

[tonyb286]

Hi. If both BUN and creatinine are high, then IV fluids is the first line treatment and the only thing that may lower these abnormal levels. It's worth trying, but there is no guarantee it will work, because it does depend on how much kidney organ tissue is left undamaged. It is also important for the IVs to be for at least 3 days under veterinary supervision - and then you should continue giving SubQ fluids at home. While encouraging a dog to drink is the right way forward, it really won't solve this current problem. Dogs with kidney disease just urinate out as much water as they take in. IV fluids gets the hydration right into the cell structure, where it's needed. Tony

[maisondesarah]

We are on the same boat. Our dog's BUN level is above 180, the vet said he's at stage 4 and has weeks/months left.

The vet gave us anti nausea medication which helped. IV during hospitalisation and subq fluid injection at home is recommended.

Our dog has great appetite now and more energy (he walks 4 times a day these days!), despite his failing red blood cell count and higher BUN levels.

For now we are taking it 1 day at a time.. Make our dog comfortable and make the last days of his life count :)

Hope your dog gets better. There's always hope.