Update On Kidney Scare.

[Guest BLIsStillFlying]

After a long talk with my vet (both referring to our online findings), we've decided that (in his words) it's 'just Bradley' and most likely not kidney disease. I'm still cutting back on his Deramaxx (he didn't have one today and was flipping around the house when I got home from work) and looking for other alternatives. I also hoping to try Glycoflex II or III as soon as his other supplement runs out.

 

I want to thank everyone for their reassurance yesterday and today. Everyone tried to tell me he was fine, but no one really knows greyhounds like their owners--have to hear it from another needle nose aficionado before it starts to make sense. And those articles are great! I sent them to my vet in hopes of helping out his next grey patient. He said Bradley's acted like a course in greyhound health since he's been seeing him.

 

Thanks again!

 

K, Bear and Mel-Cow

[CaliforniaGreys]

Excellent!

[patricia]

Good news!

[Guest GreytMuse]

You must feel so relieved! I know how it is to worry about one of your 'babies', and I am so glad you found our community to help you through this scare!

[greyhndz]

Wonderful! You know, I think the sign of a really good vet is being receptive to what you, as the patient's mom, have to say, and being open-minded about learning something that might not be too familiar to him/her. There are so many resources out there for both owners and vets. You might even tell him about "Care of the Retired and Racing Greyhound"; I know of quite a few folks who have bought the text for their vet, knowing it will ultimately benefit their own hound.

[Guest Greensleeves]

That's good news.

 

I would definitely, however, look into changing diets NOW, as nine is still very young to be showing any signs of kidney issues. Nelly's creatinine was 1.6 a year ago. It was 10.2 on Sunday. I don't want to scare you, but we just lost an eight-year-old to kidney failure, and I wishwishwishwishwish with all my heart that I had known to be worried much, much earlier than 56 days ago. If retests show that creatinine/BUN are rising, DON'T WAIT to start supportive care (sub-cu fluids, supplements, etc).

 

(Unfortunately, care for her severe arthritis was *so* hard the last two months, after going off Rimadyl. Acupuncture was the only thing that really helped.)

Edited October 8, 2008 by Greensleeves

[Guest BLIsStillFlying]

Thanks to everyone again for all the support and information. All other values in his bloodwork and urinalysis were normal so I'm leaning more towards Bradley's oddities. His dog food is already at a lower protein (as I've spent his whole life worried about his kidneys because of their previous track diets). His pain killers are cut back and he'll get more bloodwork in six months, so for now I'm content with his state.

 

Thanks again to everyone for your help on this.

[Guest ss556]

Good news.