We Went to the Vet...

[TLC]

To be honest I don't know what brand of dog food is low in protein.

As far as homecooking, you can give lots of veggies and brown rice. Since they do need protein for muscle grow, a tiny bit of eggs or cottage cheese is VERY low in protein. Now when I say tiny bit, like 1/2 teaspoon (or less) mixed in with portion veggies and brown rice is good (I feed 2x a day). To 'entice' (that's 'if' he won't eat it) - I have one of those very fine cheese graters. I bought a little block of provolone cheese, b/c it is very stinky cheese and I just put a fine layer of that cheese on top - always a hit and an instant plate clearer

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by cindy0721

well I was looking into Natural Balance Duck and Potato? It has 5 % crude protetin?

This is about 23% protein dry matter so it is much better than Cesar for what your vet is trying to do. I have no idea if it is a good kidney diet though.

[domesticated08]

Sounds like things are looking up alittle for little Gizmo and You!! You both are in our prayers!!

[BLEU BOY BARBER]

We Are Going Through A Very Trying Time Ourselves If You Care To Read The Thread!

I Want You To Know You Are Not Alone With Yt Im A New Member As Of Yesterday...

I Am By Far Not A Pro But I Will Say My Baby Is On

Gerber Graduate Chicken Sticks...

He Absolutely Loves It He Also Is On Hunny Toooo

Also When Not Eating I Have Been Told To Give Nutri Cal It Is $10.00

But My Vet Says Treat Your Baby Like A Baby When All Esle Fails And Give Him Or Her Baby Food...

It Works For Us 98 Cents A Jar.. Well Worth It When Your Baby Is Not Eating... I Have Never Had A Eating Problem WITH BLEU ... I Posted This INFORMATION Because My Baby Eats It So It Is Safe.. Please Consult Your Doc And Make Sure Of Any Allergic Reactions To Chicken Or Whatever This Is Just Works For Us....

Blessings To You ..

[cindy0721]

Originally Posted by BLEU BOY BARBER

We Are Going Through A Very Trying Time Ourselves If You Care To Read The Thread!

I Want You To Know You Are Not Alone With Yt Im A New Member As Of Yesterday...

I Am By Far Not A Pro But I Will Say My Baby Is On

Gerber Graduate Chicken Sticks...

He Absolutely Loves It He Also Is On Hunny Toooo

Also When Not Eating I Have Been Told To Give Nutri Cal It Is $10.00

But My Vet Says Treat Your Baby Like A Baby When All Esle Fails And Give Him Or Her Baby Food...

It Works For Us 98 Cents A Jar.. Well Worth It When Your Baby Is Not Eating... I Have Never Had A Eating Problem WITH BLEU ... I Posted This INFORMATION Because My Baby Eats It So It Is Safe.. Please Consult Your Doc And Make Sure Of Any Allergic Reactions To Chicken Or Whatever This Is Just Works For Us....

Blessings To You ..

thanks! Well I am not a new member , I've been a member for a long time now but this situation we have with my kiddos kidney levels is VERY NEW to me and I DON"T wish it upon anyone ever!

I went to our favorite Natural/Hollistic Pet Galore and she recommended Innvoa for seniors(canned) it has about 4.4% Crude Protein.. I don't know if Gizmo will like it though, since he didnt like the Innova dry.
Nutrition:
Moisture........78.0 %
Protein........4.4 %
Fat........3.2 %
Linoleic Acid........1.10 %
Omega 3........0.35 %
Carbohydrates........10.70 %
Fiber........3.6 %
Ash........2.10 %
Calcium........0.14 %
Phosphorous........0.14 %

http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/produc...og/204154.aspx

She also said since he has liked and successfully ate the California Natural Chicken & Rice to try it in canned, and this has :
Nutrition Facts:
Moisture - 76 %
Protein - 9.0 %
Fat - 7.0 %
Fiber - 1.5 %
Calories - 39.39 Kcal/oz
http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/produc...od/204064.aspx

For DRY FOOD, she said to try Natural Balance PLAIN.. she said alot of her customers that have kiddos with tummy, allergy or kidney, liver problems eat one or 2 of these....
http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/dog...tml#Guaranteed
GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Crude Protein 23.0% minimum
Crude Fat 13.0% minimum
Crude Fiber 3.0% maximum
Moisture 10.0% maximum
Omega 3 Fatty Acids 0.5% minimum
Omega 6 Fatty Acids 3.0% minimum


So does anyone have any previous experience on any of these? I am soooo scared to go with the wrong one thinking it will be ok... my vet wants him I think on the Prescription Diet k/d but alot of people are against this type of food they say that it will cure one problem and another one will arise, reviews on this food say that their chemical makeup on this food is all wrong and too much for a 4 lb yorkie..... plus gizmo DOES NOT like it AT ALL.... geez.... why can't he talk? Or why can't I undestand dog language?

[Ellie May]

The senior canned Innova has the least (dry matter) protein out of all of these. I am not sure about phosphorus levels and I don't know the optimal amount for kidney problems.

[cindy0721]

well I called the VET... and the levels for the following were normal:

Creatinine - normal it was 0.6
Phosphorus- normal it was 3.7
Red Platelets were NORMAL
White Platelets were NORMAL....

sooooooooooo I am wondering now if possibly the reason his BUN level was at 52 was because he had eaten chicken (full of protein) not enough water and they say from my hours of research that in order to do a accurate BUN reading they need to be fasted for at least 12 hours.... any input guys...?

[mogli]

The way the machine works, from what I hear ... is that they put the blood in and there are test cartriges that are in the machine.

The machine could handle exact same blood different each time. The machines also have a margin of error.

Fasting is not required. To do accurate tests, they would need to be hand verified (analyzed), or sent to a lab with more better, hi-grade equipment. Re-tests are needed to see if the levels are moving dramatically.

Since the other #'s are normal ... a re-test should ideally show more normal BUN level. I can't say this enough ... re-test, re-test, re-test, re-test, re-test, re-test, re-test, re-test, re-test, re-test, re-test, re-test, re-test, re-test, re-test, re-test.

http://www.dogaware.com/kidney.html

[cindy0721]

Originally Posted by mogli

The way the machine works, from what I hear ... is that they put the blood in and there are test cartriges that are in the machine.

The machine could handle exact same blood different each time. The machines also have a margin of error.

Fasting is not required. To do accurate tests, they would need to be hand verified (analyzed), or sent to a lab with more better, hi-grade equipment. Re-tests are needed to see if the levels are moving dramatically.

Since the other #'s are normal ... a re-test should ideally show more normal BUN level. I can't say this enough ... re-test, re-test, re-test, re-test, re-test, re-test, re-test, re-test, re-test, re-test, re-test, re-test, re-test, re-test, re-test, re-test.

http://www.dogaware.com/kidney.html

thanks! yes I have been looking at that website.. hence y I called back to the vet to get the levels on the other things.... today during lunch he was alot better than the morning.. so I am just hoping that it will get better with time... I will have him retested though.

[bchgirl]

Cindy ~ I personally know two people whose yorkies BUN tests levels came back elevated. Worried them sick and all for naught because the second tests showed no elevation.

I hope it's the same in your case.

[cindy0721]

Originally Posted by bchgirl

Cindy ~ I personally know two people whose yorkies BUN tests levels came back elevated. Worried them sick and all for naught because the second tests showed no elevation.

I hope it's the same in your case.

thanks! I hope so too... god knows Im praying ...

[bchgirl]

Originally Posted by cindy0721

thanks! I hope so too... god knows Im praying ...

I know both of those owners considered the culprit of the elevations to be what they were feeding their yorkies. Neither ever got a definitive answer on that. One's vet just said...it was wrong. Sometimes tests come back wrong.

Sounds like she is improving

Btw one of those owners was gonna go the baby food route and learned commerically prepared baby food has a lot of sodium in it. I know that she decided to just feed her homecooked chicken breast.

They're members here but don't post regularly...I'll direct them to your thread...maybe they can help you.

[cindy0721]

hmmm and I though chicken breast was bad for them in general since it is all protein?

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by cindy0721

hmmm and I though chicken breast was bad for them in general since it is all protein?

Do you want to homecook?
I have a recipe here for Ellie that is 24% protein which is quite low (no where near as low as the K/D though). It is fine to give chicken but you have to add things to it to bring down the protein amount.

1 ounce white meat chicken (boiled and I take off all skin and fat)
88 grams carb (brown rice, oatmeal... these vary in calories so be careful)
60 grams veggies (boiled or steamed and mashed up)
1 tsp oil for fat (olive, canola)
Supplements

Mix it all and serve. I measure each day's feeding and free. I measure ingredients separately to be accurate.

Dogs need about 40 calories a day per pound. This varies from dog to dog (especially after being altered). If you want a higher calorie meal you could use steel cut oats (1/4 cup is 140 calories) and if you want lower calories you could use brown rice (1/4 cup is 54 calories). This recipe was formulated for a dog between 5 and 6 pounds. I started using the steel cut oats because they have more calories and Ellie is skinny. When I was using brown rice she wasn't getting nearly enough of them. Hope this helps you.

This is a liver friendly diet and may not be a kidney friendly diet.

[myriamha]

I read this thread from the beginning and you should listen to Mogli's advise ...
I'm going through the same thing with Royce he has early renal insufficiency and his bun is at 20 and has been stable for the last year ..the key here is to do complete check ups ( blood work, ultrasound ( to look for stones )urinalysis follow ups as requested by ur vet ... Royce is monitored very closely every 3 months and thank god his values are stable .