Twister, did your vet tell you the cause of the kidney failure? Did he mention something like Juvenile Renal Dysplasia? He would need to do an ultrasound to diagnose JRD. Did he tell you what her kidney numbers were? Three years old is very young for chronic kidney failure. If not JRD, there are treatable conditions that can cause kidney failure, and they range from a UTI or kidney infection to pancreatitis to tick born diseases and Lepto. Often, if you can figure out and treat the cause of the CRF, kidney function will improve.
I am not sure I understand why her stomach is swollen. Does she have ascites (fluid) in her abdomen. Did your vet do anything to treat the ascites? That must be very uncomfortable for her. It is not a common symptom of renal failure, although I'm not saying it can't be related. Ascites is more common with other conditions.
Did he offer you any other treatment options besides enalapril and KD? If you do a search, there are quite a few recent threads on kidney failure that might give you some idea of what you're dealing with. If you can provide more information, you will get better suggestions on things you can do to help your girl feel better. Is she eating? Drinking a large amount of water? Did he suggest anything to reduce stomach acid like Pepcid? Did he offer you anything for nausea? Did the vet do a urinalysis to check for protein in the urine or urine specific gravity? Did he check her blood pressure? Lack of appetite, drinking and peeing unusually large amounts, nausea and vomiting are typical symptoms of kidney failure and can be treated to make your girl more comfortable.
Sending lots of prayers.
Diana |