Anyone had a dog with Renal disease / kidney failure?

Odd Socks

Odd Socks

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 February 2011
Messages
356
Visit site
Okay so really after a bit of advice as to what I can do for my boy. He's a 2yo GSD in renal failure. He was diagnosed at the very end of june and since then he has been on the royal canin renal diet to which he responded to incredibly! He was also very anaemic for which he has been having hormone injections which he was on every other day but have now been gradually reduced to once a fortnight as it is a human drug and there is a risk in him becoming immune to it, leaving it ineffective.

Anyway, he has been doing really well but over the last week or so seemed quite withdrawn which I just put down to the fact that he hadn't been injected for 2 weeks but even a few days on after his last injection, he's not been himself and was off his food.

Today he went completely off his food and was taken to the vets. He had a few blood tests which revealed pancreatitis which is probably caused by his renal diet so is staying in for IV fluids.

So basically I'm asking for positive vibes and any advice from people with experience on how we can best help him. He's such a young dog to have to go through all this. (he has also had calcinosis circumscripta - prezels and oreos to you if you know what that is without google :P)

Thanks :)
 
Poor fella...you've maybe done this already, but there is ongoing research to identify Juvenile Renal Dysplasia carriers in the breed in the UK so if you know his lines or have a copy of his pedigree, you could really help other people not have to go through what you and your boy are going through x
 
Thank you. He's not a pedigree unfortunately but I will definitely try and find out others who have dogs from the same litter to try and prevent them from breeding.

Any of the evening crowd have any experience or advice? I know there is a yahoo group for kidney disease but find it all very clinical and just want practical advice on how I can help my lovely boy feel better!
 
My 9 year old rescue Shih Tzu has second stage kidney failure. She drinks a lot and urinates very frequently when were out for walks. She's on the Renal diet and has Fortekor tablet in her dinner once a day. Despite this she's a happy, lively, fit dog. She has lovely pink moist gums and isn't dehydrated and to be honest you'd not know anything was wrong with her. My vet has advised we just continue as we are and reassess should the condition worsen as she gets older. Sorry to hear about your dog but there is hope.
 
Thats the thing, up until now he has been absolutely fine in himself, full of energy and just his normal self and was wolfing down his renal food and isnt on any medication apart from these injections. His renal function tests were fine but his diet that was keeping the kidney failure in check has given him pancreatitis so what on earth is he going to eat? Poor little man.
 
Urm... I have no idea of he could tolerate the raw diet as I know next to nothing about it. Being a vegetarian it's never really something I've considered but if it will suit him, I'll definitely give it a go.

For his renal failure he needs low quantity, high quality protein and for pancreatitis he needs low fat so I guess if I was selective about what raw meat he was getting it could work... :S

Thank you so much for the advice. Tomorrows job will be more research on the diet and then put it to my vet.
 
Very young for such health problems:( but certainly happens, with the renal failure its all about maintenance, meds (if/when needed), diet etc until such a time that no more can be done, may include stints in vets for fluids.
With the pancreas issues as you suggest low fat diet and apparently feeding pigs pancreas can aid his health i regards to the actual pancreatitis, have a google and see if you can find any info.
 
Just to warn you, a lot of vets do not like the raw diet and will actively try and persuade against it, citing reasons like bones getting stuck in throats (I am sure it does happen, but my old dog nearly died after swallowing a pair of tights and I still wear them) and of course a lot of vets sell verrry expensive food (see your current issue) there are tonnes of raw groups on Yahoo, various other forums and there are a few raw bods on here too.

Just a quick Google brings up:
http://www.aplaceforpaws.com/blog/2010/07/kidney-problems-and-raw-feeding/
(Mmm, tripe, which reminds me, I must go and fill some Kongs!!)

and

http://peterdobias.com/community/2011/04/pancreatitis-in-dogs-holistic-treatment-and-prevention/

http://rawfed.com/myths/honest.html
 
My great dane has Leishmaniasis and, as a result of this, has now pretty bad renal failure. Her diet includes ONE phosphate binder (lots of types, we use Royen) mid way during any meal; fortekor, one a day, she has a co enzyme Q10 and an omega 3 tablet each day, and once a week she has canine red cell.
Her diet is pretty normal, but in the mornings she has a liquid live yogurt.
She has recovered quite well and her liver function is getting better, we seem to be maintaining her on this and she has put on weight. I don not use the special dry feeds as she will not eat them at all and got terribly thin. She is comfy, bouncy, isn't over drinking (and we are in southern spain), nor urinating excessively. Last july we nearly lost her and this july she has put on weight and is pretty normal. It works for her, and you will have to see what works for you.
I did loads of research and followed the vet at each stage, we did put her on a tablet that is an extract of rhubarb, called, I think rubinol, but she reacted badly to it. I can see if she is a bit off as she is quiet and her eye membranes dry and her eyes sink (then we have a spray from optrex to help that symptom). She has fresh beef now and then but I avoid pork.
I wish you all the very best with yours, my lassie is only just 3 now, so I know how you feel. Very best of luck to you. I hope you can manage this and make him more comfortable. Kim
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top