msjpk Posted August 28, 2015 Share Posted August 28, 2015 Lou is 13 and has been drinking a lot of water and having accidents in the house. Blood work done and Vet thinks he is in early stage of kidney failure. He will be doing more urine testing soon. Anyone have and experience with this please if you can give me info and good hints as how to help Lou. I am starting him on the low protein prescribed food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Scouts_mom Posted August 28, 2015 Share Posted August 28, 2015 My Lizzie had kidney failure. She was only 8, but her kidneys were just worn out. The first I knew that anything was wrong was when the vet did a urine test. She showed no symptoms then, and I tried to get her on a kidney diet and limit her exercise, but about 9 months later she did get very sick. I tried various kidney diets, but she really didn't like any of them. I remember that we tried some medicine which didn't do much (I don't remember what it was). I had potty pads by the doors and she was so good about using them, but also seemed to be upset that she hadn't made it to the yard. She lost a lot a weight, then one day her skin changed and she lost the spark in her eyes. I had to let her go. I'm sorry this isn't what you want to hear. Cherish every moment you have with your pup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sobesmom Posted August 28, 2015 Share Posted August 28, 2015 OH - I just wrote you a long post and when I went to send it my computer freaked out and I lost it! So I'll summarize. This is Michele, Lou's former foster mom. I'm going through this with my Diana. PLEASE do a search on GT and read all my posts, and all the responses about Diana's kidney diseases. She was just diagnosed a few months ago. It's TERRIFYING.. it's awful. But there are things you can do to get your dog back. Change his diet - if he won't eat the prescription food, there are other options. You need to keep him eating. And - immediately - change his water. Give him only distilled. It's 88/c gal at walmart. That's really important. A dog can live several long, happy, health years with kidney disease. Diana is happier and healthier now than she was a year ago, because of the dietary and water changes. Please read my posts, and the responses. There's a TON of info and resources. And - give Lou a big scratch on those ridiculously large bat-ears of his from me. That dog was always a nut - but I really liked him. A whole lotta personality in a big, black, skinny body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnF Posted August 28, 2015 Share Posted August 28, 2015 I've lost 3 dogs to it over many many years. Each one was affected differently. Treatment aims to preserve residual kidney function as long as possible whilst treating symptoms that could adversely affect quality of life. Ideally be prepared to let them go before they start suffering dire end-stage symptoms of total inappetance, seizures and actual organ failure. Some can live wit it for years. One of mine went in 6 weeks, the second in 8 weeks, and the other had more than 2 years quality life post dx. Instead of me writing pages of info, please visit these sites; also feel free to email me and others on practical specifics. This one is a high volume specialist list which asks you to send in the vet/lab figures when you join. You can read the forum messages without joining though. https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/K9KIDNEYS/info This is of the better sources of good information about kidney disease: http://www.dogaware.com/health/kidney.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiveRoooooers Posted August 28, 2015 Share Posted August 28, 2015 OH - I just wrote you a long post and when I went to send it my computer freaked out and I lost it! So I'll summarize. This is Michele, Lou's former foster mom. I'm going through this with my Diana. PLEASE do a search on GT and read all my posts, and all the responses about Diana's kidney diseases. She was just diagnosed a few months ago. It's TERRIFYING.. it's awful. But there are things you can do to get your dog back. Change his diet - if he won't eat the prescription food, there are other options. You need to keep him eating. And - immediately - change his water. Give him only distilled. It's 88/c gal at walmart. That's really important. A dog can live several long, happy, health years with kidney disease. Diana is happier and healthier now than she was a year ago, because of the dietary and water changes. Please read my posts, and the responses. There's a TON of info and resources. And - give Lou a big scratch on those ridiculously large bat-ears of his from me. That dog was always a nut - but I really liked him. A whole lotta personality in a big, black, skinny body. And this is why GT is such a wonderful community! How great that you saw the OP's post and could help. Good thoughts for both Lou and Diana. Quote Old Dogs are the Best Dogs. Thank you, campers. Current enrollees: Punkin. AnnIE Oooh M Angels: Pal . Segugio. Sorella (TPGIT). LadyBug. Zeke-aroni. MiMi Sizzle Pants. Gracie. Seamie . (Foster)Sweet. Andy. PaddyALVIN!Mayhem. Bosco. Bruno. Dottie B. Trevor Double-Heart. Bea. Cletus, KLTO. Aiden 1-4. Upon reflection, our lives are often referenced in parts defined by the all-too-short lives of our dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msjpk Posted August 29, 2015 Author Share Posted August 29, 2015 Thanks everyone. Thanks sobesmom. Lou is doing ok. He is a strong dog. I will follow up on all this info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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