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bildio · 10-05-2008, 12:00 PM

I found this forum yesterday, and I have spent hours reading posts. Lot’s of great information, compassionate Yorkie people, and some very sad stories. This is my first post, and I apologize for being long winded, but I’m very concerned about my pup’s health. I have two Yorkies. A 12 year old, and an 11 month old.

I purchased Gus from a breeder in early March of this year. A very happy day, and he’s been a real joy.

Last week the vet told me that, based on the downward change in the specific gravity of his urine, Gus is headed for renal failure, and he needs an ultrasound to check his kidneys. First some history, before I give the SG values or just skip ahead.

During his initial vet check after I purchased him, he tested positive for the isospora parasite, and was given sulfadimethoxine. Subsequently, I became concerned about Gus’ frequent urination, and thirst, although he may have had this problem all along. The breeder said it might be a reaction to the medication, and my vet said that it might be behavioral.

He’s had a couple of more positive stool sample tests for parasites, but different ones, and they were successfully treated. I think Gus gets them from eating things off and from under the ground in my back yard. Unfortunately, the soil is damp and moldy, etc.

Gus had a urinalysis in July and it showed a high bacterial content, and one parasite egg. He finished his Amoxi mid-July, and the Amoxi cleared up the bacterial infection. His frequent urination & drinking remained unchanged while taking Amoxi. However, I think there was a reduction in frequency of urination for 2 to 3 weeks after he finished the Amoxi. Since then he’s been, again, urinating frequently and drinking frequently. Although he urinates frequently during the day, most nights makes it through without urinating.

He is otherwise very healthy, active, alert, curious, constantly chewing, etc. He has a healthy appetite. My wife thinks he’s on the chubby side, and I think he’s just right.

Fast forward to September. I had two urinalyses done to see if the bacterial infection returned, and a stool sample test. He tested positive for hookworm, and there was no bacterial content in his urine. However, based on specific gravity values (reference range 1.015 – 1.050), the vet said that Gus is not concentrating his urine and is headed for renal failure. SG was 1.008, on 7/16, when he tested positive for bacteria. SG was 1.019, when he was retested after taking Amoxi. On 9/15 it was 1.016, and on 9/22 (after being given Panacur for hookworms) it was 1.015. The 9/15 and 9/22 urinalyses were otherwise normal. Gus’ blood test results, on 9/29 were within the reference range except for Total Protein – 7.7 (reference range 5.4 –7.1). His BUN is 11 and Creatinine is 0.5. The vet observed that Gus’ blood serum was cloudy after it was separated out, and it should have been clear. Prior to getting the blood test results, the vet thought that this might be a sign of a liver shunt.

I plan to talk to another vet, this week, about the test results, need for an ultrasound, and if he may still has a bacterial infection that didn’t show up in his urinalysis, but should show up in a urine culture.

I am very concerned about Gus having a serious problem. Any thoughts on what the problem might be, and what I should ask the vet to look at?

10-05-2008, 12:00 PM	#1
bildio Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Havre de Grace, MD Posts: 1,537	Pup Headed for Renal Failure? I found this forum yesterday, and I have spent hours reading posts. Lot’s of great information, compassionate Yorkie people, and some very sad stories. This is my first post, and I apologize for being long winded, but I’m very concerned about my pup’s health. I have two Yorkies. A 12 year old, and an 11 month old. I purchased Gus from a breeder in early March of this year. A very happy day, and he’s been a real joy. Last week the vet told me that, based on the downward change in the specific gravity of his urine, Gus is headed for renal failure, and he needs an ultrasound to check his kidneys. First some history, before I give the SG values or just skip ahead. During his initial vet check after I purchased him, he tested positive for the isospora parasite, and was given sulfadimethoxine. Subsequently, I became concerned about Gus’ frequent urination, and thirst, although he may have had this problem all along. The breeder said it might be a reaction to the medication, and my vet said that it might be behavioral. He’s had a couple of more positive stool sample tests for parasites, but different ones, and they were successfully treated. I think Gus gets them from eating things off and from under the ground in my back yard. Unfortunately, the soil is damp and moldy, etc. Gus had a urinalysis in July and it showed a high bacterial content, and one parasite egg. He finished his Amoxi mid-July, and the Amoxi cleared up the bacterial infection. His frequent urination & drinking remained unchanged while taking Amoxi. However, I think there was a reduction in frequency of urination for 2 to 3 weeks after he finished the Amoxi. Since then he’s been, again, urinating frequently and drinking frequently. Although he urinates frequently during the day, most nights makes it through without urinating. He is otherwise very healthy, active, alert, curious, constantly chewing, etc. He has a healthy appetite. My wife thinks he’s on the chubby side, and I think he’s just right. Fast forward to September. I had two urinalyses done to see if the bacterial infection returned, and a stool sample test. He tested positive for hookworm, and there was no bacterial content in his urine. However, based on specific gravity values (reference range 1.015 – 1.050), the vet said that Gus is not concentrating his urine and is headed for renal failure. SG was 1.008, on 7/16, when he tested positive for bacteria. SG was 1.019, when he was retested after taking Amoxi. On 9/15 it was 1.016, and on 9/22 (after being given Panacur for hookworms) it was 1.015. The 9/15 and 9/22 urinalyses were otherwise normal. Gus’ blood test results, on 9/29 were within the reference range except for Total Protein – 7.7 (reference range 5.4 –7.1). His BUN is 11 and Creatinine is 0.5. The vet observed that Gus’ blood serum was cloudy after it was separated out, and it should have been clear. Prior to getting the blood test results, the vet thought that this might be a sign of a liver shunt. I plan to talk to another vet, this week, about the test results, need for an ultrasound, and if he may still has a bacterial infection that didn’t show up in his urinalysis, but should show up in a urine culture. I am very concerned about Gus having a serious problem. Any thoughts on what the problem might be, and what I should ask the vet to look at?