Raw feeding / kidney failure

[beth235]

Has anyone with a dog with chronic kidney failure fed nutriment support ? Or raw ? After much research and speaking with people who we know have had dogs with this and had success made the decision to do so with Charlie. He is nearly 13 and stage 2. He’s loving the food and stomach is ok. Apart from nausea (only feeling sick not being ) which he’s suffered from for several months now. The first vet recommended a moist diet. To get more moisture into him. The renal diet we tried but it really didn’t agree. Last week he was really off sorts so unsettled. So we took him in he got a urine test all ok. He seemed better The start of this week hasn’t been fun. So unsettled , lethargic, drinking excessive and pacing. So I booked him in today. (Typically he’s perked a little !). But he’s just so so lethargic. No spring anymore . The new vet was quite rude about our choice of diet made me feel a bad mum. A asked about bloods they were done in may. Said not much point . He said the main concern is his raspy chest ( he’s had antibiotics previously no infection). So given diazepam to settle him so I can count his heart beat. I’m just really struggling he’s only stage 2 abs he seems so depressed it’s going to be a hard seeing him like his I just want to make him better it’s heartbreaking. Has any one had any experience of feeding raw for kidney failure? Sorry for the ramble I’m just a worried mum thanks.

 

[SusieT]

I would ask a qualified nutrionist - preferbaly a vet nutrionist for advice. Online has so many people sharing their 'experiences' but without any real knowledge about what they are trying to achieve with diet and often complete gobledegook.
Why would raw be better for kidney failure? If you are worried you could seek a speciliast vets opinion on his renal failure?

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

You really do need to consider your dog's quality of life, every post you write, you talk about how unhappy he is. You cannot improve the kidney failure, that will only get worse. All you can hope to do is to make him more comfortable and if you can't, what are you making him go on for?

 

[AmyMay]

What was it about the renal diet that didn’t agree with him?

 

[skinnydipper]

Nutriment make raw completes which are FEDIAF compliant. OP is asking if anyone has any experience of using their kidney support formula.

Can anyone on the forum share their experience of using this particular food for their dog with CKD?


For information here is a description of the food taken from the Nutriment website:

Nutriment's Kidney Support 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 appropriate ingredients which provide essential nutrition to maintain optimal kidney health. Our kidney support recipe forms part of a species-appropriate diet which is free from grains, additives and harmful chemicals that can be difficult to digest and place strain on a dog's kidneys. Boosted with Omega-3 fatty acids and monitored protein and phosphorous levels, our kidney support raw dog food is an ideal solution for supporting your dog's health and happiness.


I'm sorry I can't help you, OP. Nutriment is one of the companies I use for raw foods to feed my dog but I have no experience of their kidney support formula.

 

[Umbongo]

How long did you try the renal food for? They need to be transitioned over very slowly (think weeks not days) due to their nausea. Imo raw is not suitable for dogs with kidney failure. Their diet needs to be low in sodium and phosphorus with less (but good quality) protein. But I am also an advocate for feeding them whatever they want to eat. As not eating is worse. My cat had kidney failure and I ended up feeding him whatever he wanted so long as he was eating and happy. It sounds like your dog has had a lot of diet changes recently?

It is possible that his kidney failure has progressed further from stage 2 since his last blood results, kidney failure will continue to get worse unfortunately. Some dogs can go on for a few months, maybe a year or longer. Some deteriorate quite rapidly. You may have to start thinking about his quality of life if he doesn't seem happy.

The vet may have advised against bloods as they will most likely show deterioration and not much you can do about it (possibly trying to save you some money?) However something else could be going on too. Maybe look at booking a check up with the vet you prefer?

 

[Antw23uk]

This sounds so sad. Hopefully his quality of life is at the forefront of all your decision making. At thirteen and stage 2 I would not be putting my dog through anymore if i describe what you are describing.