Not sure what to do....older dog

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Annette4

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(just to preface, I will be talking to my vet on Tuesday when she's back from leave but I just wanted a sounding board who is emotionally removed)

Jack has final stage kidney disease, diagnosed recently but it's obviously been there for a long time. We've changed his food to a renal diet but ultimately I'm aware it's a case of how long and I'm not willing to let him suffer.

We originally moved him to the wet renal diet (vets advice) but I simply cannot afford it even feeding him half of the RDA. I've moved him onto the dry and although he was eating it at first he's recently had a tummy upset (unrelated, he got hold of part of one of Fizz's treats and this type have always upset his tum) and since (so from yesterday) he's really unwilling to eat and when he does he's eating around half of his meal and eating grass in the garden then throwing a small amount back up. I'm almost positive it's just that he doesn't like the food as he has always eaten with gusto but was hesitant even with the wet renal food which we were warned about as it appears most dogs don't like the renal food.

I'm going to persevere over the weekend and he's due more tests next week to see if the diet has had an impact on his liver function. I simply cannot afford the wet renal diet (even half the RDA for him works out at £30 a week) so unless it's having a massive impact I'm tempted to stop even trying with it and just get him on something he enjoys while he's still comfortable. I don't know if it's just because I'm emotionally invested in the stumpy legged old git but that feels cruel as I'd potentially be causing more damage but then the other part of me thinks yes it might give him slightly less time but at least he'll be happier.
 
could he have something bland like chicken or is that a problem for his kidneys as well. i understand how you feel and as food is pretty important for alot of dogs including mine so if it was me i would be tempted to give the dog what he wants even if it shortens his life. i know that is easy to say but if he is a foody having a food he doesnt like affects his quality of life,this is only my opinion based on my own dogs and not yours..a difficult one for you..,good luck
 
splashgirl45 said:
could he have something bland like chicken or is that a problem for his kidneys as well. i understand how you feel and as food is pretty important for alot of dogs including mine so if it was me i would be tempted to give the dog what he wants even if it shortens his life. i know that is easy to say but if he is a foody having a food he doesnt like affects his quality of life,this is only my opinion based on my own dogs and not yours..a difficult one for you..,good luck
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That's what I was thinking to be honest.....it's going to take some thinking.
 
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Could something like Wainwright's (Pets at Home) wet food be a suitable compromise between raw and a more natural diet? The protein is not concentrated, the fat level is relatively low and the cost is not eye watering.

See ingredients:
Lamb (72%), Peas (5%), Carrots (2%), Sweet Potato, Seaweed, Vitamins, Minerals, Alfalfa, Flaxseed, Chicory Root, Yucca, Parsely, Rosemary, Garlic. Crude Protein: 12%, Crude Fibre: 0.1%, Crude Oils and Fats: 6.5%, Crude Ash: 2%, Moisture: 74%.
 
Oh no , poor Jack. I think I would just try him with palatable food that he will eat and let him enjoy life. Totally understand your position re the cost of the food, our Cushings pony costs me an absolute fortune in Prascend. I can just about afford it at the moment, but if my working hours drop in the future (there is a strong possibility :( ) then I will have to make some tough decisions.
 
As far as I know the element the kidneys struggle with is protein (apart from filler cr*p) - have you got a GOOD local pet shop who can help you out? My neighbour was paying a fortune for Hills tins for his Yorkie, local pet shop suggested grain free kibble and the dog has never looked better.
Other than that, cards on the table with the vet and see what they suggest as a cheaper option? They may of course say with his prognosis it might be futile to struggle with it :(
 
Are you getting the renal food from your vet? Their prices are extortionate! I'd wait and see if it's made a difference personally, then you'd know you'd done all you could and could switch to something else with a clear conscience.
 
Yes, the renal diet is low protein - one of our jrts had kidney failure and she was on the low protein renal diet. Can you see any decent low protein foods online? Or a good local pet shop as JillA suggests.
 
What I'm about to say is about a cat, not a dog, but same problem - my friend's cat got diagnosed with renal failure 1.5 years ago. She was given expensive vets renal food, which she didn't like and wouldn't eat, and was losing weight. Vets gave her 6 months maximum.

My friend got fed up of watching her cat waste away in front of her eyes so started just feeding what she wanted and would eat - fresh white fish (cooked), chicken, tinned tuna in spring water. Anything to tempt her and get some weight back on her.

1.5 years later she is still going strong, has just recovered from surgery for a tooth abscess and vets commented how well she looked otherwise..!

Feed your dog what he wants/will eat. Keep it as fresh and natural as possible, bin the dried food. That's what I'd do anyway.
 
meleeka said:
Are you getting the renal food from your vet? Their prices are extortionate! I'd wait and see if it's made a difference personally, then you'd know you'd done all you could and could switch to something else with a clear conscience.
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I'm getting it online as cheap as I can find it, it's expensive everywhere but certainly cheaper than through the vets.
 
JillA said:
As far as I know the element the kidneys struggle with is protein (apart from filler cr*p) - have you got a GOOD local pet shop who can help you out? My neighbour was paying a fortune for Hills tins for his Yorkie, local pet shop suggested grain free kibble and the dog has never looked better.
Other than that, cards on the table with the vet and see what they suggest as a cheaper option? They may of course say with his prognosis it might be futile to struggle with it :(
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I'm not aware of any pet shops locally (only farm shops and PAH) but I can get the grain free wainwrights Planete suggested at least.
 
ponyparty said:
What I'm about to say is about a cat, not a dog, but same problem - my friend's cat got diagnosed with renal failure 1.5 years ago. She was given expensive vets renal food, which she didn't like and wouldn't eat, and was losing weight. Vets gave her 6 months maximum.

My friend got fed up of watching her cat waste away in front of her eyes so started just feeding what she wanted and would eat - fresh white fish (cooked), chicken, tinned tuna in spring water. Anything to tempt her and get some weight back on her.

1.5 years later she is still going strong, has just recovered from surgery for a tooth abscess and vets commented how well she looked otherwise..!

Feed your dog what he wants/will eat. Keep it as fresh and natural as possible, bin the dried food. That's what I'd do anyway.
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That's good to know thank you.
 
I was just about to say the same about a cat. Our Rosie point blank refuses to eat the food the recommends, she was diagnosed about 3 years ago. She is an old lady now, and to be honest, her days are numbered, (other issues) but she's happy, and the vets are happy with her.

We feed her what she will eat.
 
I would put him on a diet he enjoys and be VERY watchful for that fact that you are likely to have to PTS sooner rather than later :( Sorry, there is no easy way to say it :(
 
My cat was diagnosed with renal failure 2.5 years ago (he is 16 now). I initially put him on renal food, he ate it for a bit but then went off it, all brands, all flavours. Renal food is the best thing to help the kidneys, but not all animals like it, and it is more important that they eat.

He will need restricted/moderate protein but high quality protein, and low phosphorus. Make sure he drinks plenty of water, wet food is better to help get more water in to him. Saying that, I tried to feed my cat a decent diet....but he likes cheap Butchers from the supermarket.....so that is hat he gets. And he is looking really well considering his issues!
 
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