Kidney disease and a raw diet

[Roxylola]

Is this possible?
I have 2 dogs, spaniel and mini hound.
The mini hound has had bloods and urine checked and come back as having kidney disease - she's 14 now.
The vets advised a specialist diet, mine are currently both raw fed, I'd like to stay with that if it's manageable. Brief reading indicates to avoid eggs and red meats which I can do. But I don't want to compromise her well being by being wedded to raw.
The commercial stuff from what I can see is mainly low phosphorus, as opposed to having extra good stuff added in if that makes sense?
Any thoughts?

 

[skinnydipper]

Have you had a look at this one?

Kidney Support

Nutriment's Kidney Support dog food formula is specifically designed to maintain overall canine health, paying specific attention to the kidneys. Containing human-grade quality beef and responsibly sourced sardines, our in-house canine nutritionists have carefully selected biologically...

www.nutriment.co.uk

 

[skinnydipper]

Kidney Disease in Dogs | How a Natural Approach Can Help

Dr Nick Thompson talks about kidney disease in dogs, what to add to make the best food for a dog with kidney disease. He explains how a tailored raw dog

www.prodograw.com

 

[Roxylola]

Thank you, only found out at 6 so I've not looked at much yet

 

[Roxylola]

By way of an update, we've been using nutriment as the sell food that is actually labeled as low protein/purine rather than hoping for the best with some other brands. I've also been adding some appropriate veg, fruit and grains. For the most part, this has worked well.

There was an immediate improvement in her wetting - didn't happen at all for a good few months. Then we've had a couple of individual occasions, then most recently she's had a few in a week. No change food wise, and while I've waterproofed everything as best I can and just accepted this is how things are I'm concerned that she's got worse.

She's definitely still happy, slower on walks now than she used to be but still does an hour well enough, still jumps on the bed and sofa fine - vets were very impressed with her mobility. She has however definitely lost weight and muscle this year - although she's stable but pretty slim.

Has anyone had much experience of kidney issues? I'm all about quality over quantity but the leaking doesn't seem to bother her in the slightest - she's not aware she's done it just wakes up wet. If she's awake she's 100% on her house cleanliness still.

I'd hate to be the person keeping a dog going for themselves but I don't want to call time when she's genuinely pretty happy.

I'm assuming though the kidneys will just be gradually packing up, and while the vet did say she could have time on a drip if needed I'm not sure I want that for her, and I'm not sure how I'd know if it were needed.

Any advice or information would be very welcome. Thanks

 

[planete]

One of my bitches was diagnosed with kidney disease three years ago. Since then she has been on blood pressure medication and a special kidney diet and she gets retested for blood pressure and kidney function every year. She is now 14 and a bit slower but mainly because of her age I think. She has had a couple of infections which turned nasty quite quickly with a dangerous rise in temperature and had to be hospitalised for a couple of days but bounced back. We are lucky she has not had any toileting problems so far. I take her temperature at the slightest sign of discomfort , lack of appetite, excessive panting or any other signs of distress as her only symptom of a severe infection was a sudden lack of appetite. If I had not taken her to the vets the same day she would not have survived.

I have been warned she may go downhill very suddenly and I will then call it a day but she still enjoys her food and her walks. As long as she looks alert and happy we will keep going.

 

[Highmileagecob]

The diet needs to include easily digested protein, which usually means reducing red meat. Chicken and fish are good sources if she will eat them, and an old school vet I worked with years ago, used to recommend boiled rice instead of biscuits to bulk out the portion. Some of the renal diets available seem to be very expensive. Has she been neutered? If yes, ask your vet to rule out age related incontinence as a result of being spayed.

 

[Roxylola]

So, she is neutered, however when I say she "leaks" floods would probably be more accurate, she's a 10kg dog who at the worst just before diagnosis she had 3 occurrences in about 2 hours where she was asleep and I'd say at least half a litre each time going off the puddle size.
It's not normal urine either - massively diluted (as she's drinking more) I actually suspected diabetes initially.

She's mainly on tripe with fish or chicken mixed with a variety of cooked veg - no biscuits or rice at present.

Kidney diets are extremely expensive but we're managing a bit between suitable premade raw and the above.

She's actually been better the latter end of the week, I've upped the veg again a bit.

I've also done a bit of my own reading, and note that she's had no vomiting, appetite is as good as ever so I'm less worried than I was for now

 

[peperomia]

This is a really helpful resource for dogs with KD, also includes comprehensive nutritional breakdowns of individual foods. We also used as a reference for making diet compliant treats in a dehydrator. Really hope she continues to improve and remain stable!

CANINE KIDNEY DISEASE ARTICLES

CANINE KIDNEY DISEASE ARTICLES

www.tony-booth.com