Kidney Failure

[Guest apm519]

Margarita is 10 yrs old and in kidney failure. She just had her kidney's jump started for the 3rd time since July. The last being last Thursday, her BUN values jumped to 85 and Phos 7.9. The vet added AlternaGel with her food; however she does not want to eat her food. I am suppose to give her NF can food and she does not want it anymore so I have tried everything that she likes (chicken, beef, and turkey) to eat and still no appetite. The only thing she like is Ensure and I give her that to drink.

 

My vet wants me to keep in contact with him every 2 days. Margarita goes Friday for blood work, keeping my fingers cross that her levels are not going up.

 

Does anyone have any suggustion? I am really lost on want to do.

[Batmom]

Here we do a homecooked version of kidney diet -- for @ 70 lb lazy dog, each meal is 4 oz cooked ground beef (weight before cooking; do NOT drain off the fat), 1 cooked egg, and 200-300 calories worth of low salt carbohydrates (rice, Shredded Wheat, Cheerios, oatmeal ...). I add a calcium supplement and a vitamin-mineral supplement, but over the short term you wouldn't need to do that. Sometimes dogs will eat the homecooked when they won't eat the prescription food.

 

Sending hugs and hopes for your girl.

[JohnF]

It's the nausea, possible stomach ulceration and inflammation, and general feeling of unwellness, and often anaemia, that prevents them from eating. Try to address those symptoms and try just about anything - it is imperative they keep eating something. I don't know what drug regime you tried, if you do sub-Q's at home, if you tried Calcitrol, Azodyl etc? Omeprazole and Sucralfate for the sore stomach?

 

The best information source I found for my 3 who went to CRF over many many years is here where if you post your latest bloodwork and urinalyis you can join and ask loads of other people who are on the same rollercoaster ride with their poor dogs:

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/K9KIDNEYS/

 

http://www.dogaware.com has some useful articles on it too.

 

Prayers that Margarita can turn the corner just one more time.

[Guest apm519]

Thanks for your advise.

 

Margarita gets a pepcid and sub -q's every 3 days at home.

[tbhounds]

Pepcid may not be enough if she's still not eating for you. May want to ring the clinic and ask about starting ondasatron and cerenia.

You might need to be more forceful about getting a phosphorus binder in her.

[Guest apm519]

OK

 

Thanks

[EllenEveBaz]

I made various homecooked foods for my chronic kidney dog for some years. I got ideas from the dogaware website posted above (click on Health, and then on Kidney Disease). Scout particularly enjoyed pork and also cream cheese and whipped cream (in moderation). In his last few months, I gave Scout the Azodyl supplement posted above. It is not proven science, but it is supposed to help remove toxins and make the dog feel better. Scout's BUN or creatinine (can't remember which) actually improved after he started it.

 

Sending best wishes for Margarita.

[Guest 2dogs4cats]

I don't know what Alternagel is,but you need to balance the phos and calcium in the diet. You can do a homemade diet or use a phos binder. Also, try Rehmannia 6 or 8 (depending on dog). Your vet or a holistic vet will know which one will be best for your dog. If in doubt, use the 6.

[Guest apm519]

Thank you for all of your advise.

[galgrey]

I lost my galgo, Cruz, to kidney failure on 10/29/12, so I know what you're going thorugh. He was on Mirtazapine to stimulate his appetite (worked well) and Carafate helped to coat his digestive tract. He absolutely would not eat the kidney diet foods and quit eating any commercial dog food the last few months. At that point I gave him whatever he wanted to keep him eating. I'm sorry you're going through this.

[Guest undergreysspell]

I lost my galgo, Cruz, to kidney failure on 10/29/12, so I know what you're going thorugh. He was on Mirtazapine to stimulate his appetite (worked well) and Carafate helped to coat his digestive tract. He absolutely would not eat the kidney diet foods and quit eating any commercial dog food the last few months. At that point I gave him whatever he wanted to keep him eating. I'm sorry you're going through this.

 

I went through the same, Mirtazapine worked well for me also.

[Guest apm519]

Margarita is doing great. She loves eating ground beef,egg and cheerios, has not missed a meal yet. I have not seen her this happy in a while.

 

Thanks for all your help.

[Batmom]

So glad to hear she is doing well! Hugs for both of you.

[GreyPoopon]

Glad she's doing well.

 

FWIW, Mirtazapine didn't work for Jessie. She's on anabolic steroids to stimulate appetite. Has kept her going for months. (She gets a ton of other stuff, including Zantac.)