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08-26-2009, 06:26 PM | #1 |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Wausau, WI
Posts: 419
| 1 yr old with Kidney Problems My dear puppy just turned 1 on 8/10 and just this week was diagnosed with Kidney problems. She was not born with this. It all started a month or so ago when she started vomiting. Recently she has had bouts of diarrhea. I took her to the vet and they put her on meds (anti-inflamatory for intestine issues and meds for parasites (which they thought could be giardia). No stool sample was requested. Kept her on meds for 10 days and a bland diet (ID). As soon as her meds ended and I put her back on her regular dog food., she got the same thing back. I took her in Monday and they ran tests and found her kidney level to be 38 (normals are 10-24). Needless to say, I'm devastated and can't believe that she acquired this disease in the past 8 months. She was tested 8 months ago before surgery for a hernia and she was fine. She is now on a rice/hamburger diet for two weeks and then will be put on kidney food. The vet says she's probably got more than one thing going on. He believes she DOES have some intestonal issues, but also has kidney issues. She's VERY playful and not at all lithargic. Has anyone ever had this problem with such a young dog? |
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08-26-2009, 06:52 PM | #2 |
Senior Yorkie Talker | I haven't, but I wanted to suggest that you ask him about putting your pup on probiotics. It can only help. You can buy them OTC - the vet will probably charge three times as much.
__________________ Marm to Furbabies Griffin and Madigan |
08-28-2009, 06:42 AM | #3 |
I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Posts: 18,866
| Hi. Sorry to hear you are having problems with your pup. This is info I found on the web: Kidney failure occurs due to poisonings (antifreeze, ethylene glycol), changes in blood flow to the kidney (renal ischemia), obstructions to urine flow, infections, congenital defects and for no apparent reason. My dog's liver shunt wasn't diagnosed until after she was spayed. She didn't handle the anesthesia well and futher testing was required. She was around 2 years old and showed no symptoms. Tests showed that she was very sick, but you'd never know it by the way she acted. Now she's being medically managed, liver protecting/regenerating meds and blood tests. Hope this helps and I wish you the very best on your puppy's road to recovery. Oh, and Welcome to Yorkie Talk! Please update us on anything, and do stop by if you need to talk, vent, or have any more questions. We're here to help and offer support, no matter what!
__________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity Last edited by kjc; 08-28-2009 at 06:46 AM. |
08-28-2009, 11:48 AM | #4 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Largo, FL
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| I lost a 14 yr old Yorkie to kidney failure. The number you are referring to as “34”, is that the BUN? With the med’s your baby was on for the vomiting and “runs” earlier could be enough to elevate the BUN. The BUN alone doesn’t necessarily point to kidney failure. Has a full blood panel been done, if so, post the numbers b/c many on here have experience and will be able to help “dictate”. My dog lived 5 yr with her BUN over 50 until the end it reached150. But her creatine (sp) level was also elevated, which detects “function”, the more blood info you can post, the more help should come your way. Good luck to you, keep us posted.
__________________ Dudley Doo and Dexter too!!! RIP (12/93-10/08) MY LIL JULZ!!! |
08-28-2009, 04:05 PM | #5 |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Wausau, WI
Posts: 419
| Thank you for the info. Autumn was 12 weeks old when she was fixed. The reason she was so young is because she was born with a hernia and they wanted to repair it. All her panels were negative at the time of her surgery and to my knowledge she didn't have any problems with the anesthesia. She gets these phases where she gets the diarrhea and the vet's office just doesn't know if she has something else going on besides her kidney problem. I have her still on rice/hamb and now again her stool turned to liquid. I'm am SO frustrated! My poor baby. Today I called the vet again and they said MAYBE she has a UI, so I've been trying to collect a sample and that's like pulling teeth. I prefer for her not to have a catheter placed for collection. I got the impression that a UI could elevate the BUN. Her Creatinine is normal........BUN is 38. Everything else on the panels are normal. Her temp is now 101.7 which I believe is normal. I don't like the fact that she is eating hamburger (protein) if her kidneys are indeed not the best. BUT with this diarreah I have no choice, but even now that isn't preventing it. So back to the vet on MOnday for more pills if she's not better. The info you provided does indeed reflect the fact that infection could cause the kidney problem. I'm very sorry to hear of your darling puppy, how old is she now. Yes, very new on here and I've got a picture of Autumn out there somewhere, I have NO idea how to work this site too well. How did U get the pic next to your message? Thank you so much! |
08-28-2009, 04:23 PM | #6 |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Wausau, WI
Posts: 419
| I'm sorry for your loss, that would be devastating to lose a pet after so many years. Do you now have another? That would be good I guess if that were the case here because then perhaps the level would normalize. Her Bun is 38........the Creatinine is Normal. The vet said he'd be MORE worried if the Creatinine was abnormal too. So I guess that's good. She had complete chem panels done (Chem Profile 2; Chem 12: CBC and Lytes. I don't have any of the results, just that they were normal with the exception of the BUN. AFTER she was on Flagyl and the other med was Panucur Dewormer (incase she had parasites). is when I had her blood drawn. Trying to deal with two situations now, the vomiting/diarrhea and her Bun being high. I do not want that to elevate more, as I would never be able to deal with her loss if she passed because of this. I get VERY attached. (I had a cat for 17 yrs and she died 15 yrs ago and to this day.......I CRY when I look at his picture). I swore I'd never have another pet and now here I am. OMG 150? Why could they no longer regulate that? Because of her age? That's very sad!!!! Thank you so much for your input. I'm desperate to find out how to deal with all this. Autumn is very playful and looking at her, you'd never know that she has the problems she has. I pray for a full recovery. Thank you again! |
08-28-2009, 10:16 PM | #7 | |
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08-28-2009, 10:20 PM | #8 |
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| FDA Consumer magazine September-October 2006 Pain Drugs for Dogs: Be an Informed Pet Owner By Linda Bren A decade ago, few drugs were available to treat pets in pain at home. Pups were spayed or neutered at the animal hospital, stitched up, and sent home without pain medication. And dogs with painful arthritis limped along without drugs that were safe and effective for long-term use. Today, a new generation of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is bringing relief to millions of dogs with joint problems or with pain after surgery. "NSAIDs are extremely effective for controlling pain and inflammation in dogs," says Stephen F. Sundlof, D.V.M., Ph.D., director of the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM). "These are very valuable drugs that help many pets live to a ripe old age." But like any drugs, NSAIDs carry a risk of side effects, or adverse reactions. Most adverse reactions are mild, but some may be serious, especially if the drugs are not used according to labeled directions. Some reactions result in permanent damage or even death. "It's important for pet owners to be aware of the risks and benefits of all drugs, including NSAIDs, so that they can make informed decisions about their pets' health care," says Sundlof. "Owners who give their dog NSAIDs need to know the side effects to watch for that indicate their pet needs medical attention." The most common side effects from NSAIDs include vomiting, loss of appetite, depression, lethargy, and diarrhea. Serious side effects include gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, perforations, kidney damage, and liver problems. "The side effects of NSAIDs are very well known and very well documented," says Michele Sharkey, D.V.M., in the CVM's Office of New Animal Drug Evaluation. But this information is not always getting to the pet owner, she says. "If the pet owner can recognize a possible reaction, stop the medication, and get veterinary help, it could mean the difference between a good outcome and a disaster." Safety and Effectiveness The CVM, which regulates drugs for use in animals, has approved some NSAIDs for use in dogs with pain from degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis) or with pain after surgery. These include Etogesic (etodolac), Rimadyl (carprofen), Metacam (meloxicam), Zubrin (tepoxalin), Deramaxx (deracoxib), Previcox (firocoxib), and Novox (generic carprofen). NSAIDs help to control signs of arthritis, including inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain. Inflammation--the body's response to irritation or injury--is characterized by redness, warmth, swelling, and pain. NSAIDs work by blocking the production of prostaglandins, the body chemicals that cause inflammation. The FDA considers approved NSAIDs to be safe and effective when used according to the label and when dog owners are informed about common NSAID adverse reactions. And veterinarians are becoming increasingly aware of the advantages of recognizing and controlling pain, says Charles Lemme, D.V.M., a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Clinical Practitioners Advisory Committee. "We recognize that pets are healing better and faster with pain control." Lemme says that the emphasis on pain management may be partly because of the availability of the newer NSAIDs. "The NSAIDs we have available now are a lot safer than what we've had before and we're seeing far fewer side effects than before." Before the newer generation of NSAIDs came along, "people were using NSAIDs such as aspirin in an attempt to mitigate arthritic pain," says Michael Andrews, D.V.M., president of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). "We saw the consequence of their use," adds Andrews, who recalls seeing a client who gave her dog aspirin for six weeks, two times a day. "The dog had a bleeding nose that wouldn't stop." "NSAIDs are used in many, many dogs and the frequency of problems is quite low," says Andrews. "The duration of use makes a difference in safety. If used for a day or two, the risks often are much lower than when used over long periods of time for a chronic arthritic condition." Drugs used to control pain should be given only when necessary, and in the smallest dose that is effective, says Sharkey. "Arthritis waxes and wanes. Some animals get worse in cold weather. If the dog seems to improve to the point of not needing the drug, the owner should discuss continued use of the NSAID with a veterinarian." An owner should never give an NSAID to a pet, or increase the dose or frequency of a drug, without the veterinarian's instructions, adds Sharkey. "Just like different people respond differently to a drug, the way each dog responds to an NSAID varies." Because of this individual response, no one NSAID is considered more effective than another, and because every NSAID can cause adverse reactions, none is considered safer than others. If a pet is prescribed an NSAID, the CVM recommends that pet owners take the following steps to make sure they are fully informed about the drug and can make the best decision for their pet's health. Ask Questions and Tell All Ask your veterinarian about the benefits, risks, and side effects of any medication, including NSAIDs. "An informed dog owner is the best defense against serious side effects from NSAIDs," says Sharkey. "Owners should not hesitate to ask questions and inquire about possible side effects or signs to watch for when treating a dog." Tell your veterinarian your pet's symptoms and current medications, including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbal supplements, and flea control products. Giving NSAIDS and other medications together could harm your pet. Aspirin, for instance, may be in a supplement you're giving to your pet, says Sharkey, and should not be used in conjunction with an NSAID. Ask for the Client Information Sheet Pet owners should receive a "Client Information Sheet" with every NSAID prescription. Client Information Sheets, also called "Information for Dog Owner Sheets," are user-friendly summaries that explain the results to expect from using the drug, what to discuss with your veterinarian before giving the drug, possible side effects to look for, and other important information. The FDA has helped the pharmaceutical companies who make NSAIDs for dogs develop these sheets for the owners, and the companies provide them with each NSAID they ship. Ask your veterinarian for the sheet if you do not receive one, and read the information carefully before giving the medication to your dog. If your veterinarian can't provide the Client Information Sheet, you can get one by printing it from the CVM's Web site or by calling the toll-free number of the drug company. Bernadette Dunham, D.V.M., Ph.D., deputy director in the CVM's Office of New Animal Drug Evaluation, explains why some veterinarians may be unable to locate the Client Information Sheet. "They often have the role of veterinarian and the role of pharmacist," she says. Veterinary hospitals get shipments of drugs from the pharmaceutical companies or distributors. Then they may repackage the drug in their hospitals' bottles, often in smaller quantities for distributing to clients. In the repackaging process, the Client Information Sheet, which is often printed on the package insert for the veterinarian, may be tossed out inadvertently. The FDA, the veterinary community, and the pharmaceutical companies are working together to ensure that NSAIDs are used safely and responsibly and that owners are given the Client Information Sheets. "The pharmaceutical companies are trying to come up with creative ideas to make it easier for busy veterinarians," says Dunham. Many companies are making the Consumer Information Sheet a tear-off sheet that can be easily separated from the drug labeling. Some companies also are packaging drugs in smaller quantities with the Consumer Information Sheet sealed inside the package. Therefore, the veterinarian can just attach the hospital label and dosing instructions on the drug container without repackaging the drug and inadvertently discarding the sheet. Through published journal articles, electronic newsletters, and information posted on their Web sites, both the AVMA and the AAHA are reinforcing the importance of client communication regarding NSAIDs, including handing out the Client Information Sheets, to their veterinary members. Get the Recommended Tests NSAIDs approved for use in dogs contain the following information on their labels: |
08-28-2009, 10:21 PM | #9 |
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| All dogs should undergo a thorough history and physical examination before initiation of NSAID therapy. Appropriate laboratory tests to establish baseline blood values prior to, and periodically during, the use of any NSAID are strongly recommended. If the veterinarian recommends a blood test before administering an NSAID to a dog, don't decline it, advises Sharkey. "There are good reasons for it." The knowledge gained from these tests could be critical in deciding whether the drug is safe to use in a dog. Testing is particularly important with long-term NSAID use, such as to treat arthritic pain, says Andrews. "It makes sense to do some preliminary screening blood work and periodic tests to identify any problems and monitor how well the pet is tolerating the drug over time." Work With Your Veterinarian to Find the Best NSAID Many NSAID choices are available, and selecting the best NSAID for a particular pet is important, says Sharkey. "Sometimes, the process of finding the best one can mean changing the prescription." Lynne Heslip of Howell, Mich., tried several NSAIDs on her 4-year-old Irish wolfhound, O.B., who had painful hip dysplasia. "The first NSAID did not work well," she says. "Pain relief seemed to be minimal, and she had vomiting and wasn't interested in eating." Heslip watched her normally outgoing dog seclude herself behind the kitchen table. "She was severely depressed. She didn't want to interact with other animals or with people." Working with her veterinarian, Heslip stopped the NSAID, waited five days for the drug to clear out of the dog's system, and tried another NSAID. "Within one week, I noticed a drastic change for the better," says Heslip. "She was much more animated and happier." O.B. was on NSAIDs for about three years until her death. Heslip reports that her current 6-year-old Irish wolfhound, Isabella, is on the same NSAID, with very good results. Bad Reaction? Stop Medication and Call a Veterinarian If you suspect an adverse reaction to an NSAID, stop administering the drug and contact a veterinarian immediately. Some reactions are mild and go away after stopping the drug. When giving a pet an NSAID, watch for these side effects, which are listed on the Client Information Sheet and on the drug label: • Decrease or increase in appetite • Vomiting • Change in bowel movements (such as diarrhea or black, tarry, or bloody stools) • Change in behavior (such as decreased or increased activity level, seizure, aggression, or lack of coordination) • Yellowing of gums, skin, or whites of the eyes (jaundice) • Change in drinking habits (frequency or amount consumed) • Change in urination habits (frequency, color, or smell) • Change in skin (redness, scabs, or scratching). These side effects are the most common. But not all possible side effects are included on the Client Information Sheet or on the drug label. Always contact your veterinarian if you have questions about your dog's medication. What starts out as a minor problem can rapidly progress to an emergency. An owner should be encouraged to call his or her veterinarian with any concerns about the NSAID the dog is receiving. You may even call the drug manufacturer's toll-free number that appears on each Client Information Sheet. When problems are experienced with a product, the manufacturer may have specific recommendations for your veterinarian regarding tests and treatments. Cindi Brinkley of Danville, Ill., rushed her dog to the veterinarian at the first sign of a bad reaction. Maude, a cocker spaniel-collie mix, injured herself when she was 11 months old while playing with a littermate in the house. "She slipped on the basement floor coming out of a turn, and both back legs splayed out," says Brinkley. Maude was diagnosed with a deformed hip joint and scheduled for corrective surgery. In the meantime, the veterinarian prescribed an NSAID for pain control. "I was not told a thing about the drug other than how to give it to her," says Brinkley. Maude had been on the drug for a month when Brinkley came home from work one day to find the dog bleeding from her rectum. "It was very, very frightening," she says. "The whole back of my dog was bright red--I thought she was bleeding to death." After treatment in the veterinary hospital and discontinuation of the drug, Maude recovered from the incident. Now more than 7 years old, "she has some vomiting and loose stools every so often," says Brinkley, who suspects the digestive problems may be a lasting effect of the drug. Report Bad Reactions If you or your veterinarian suspects that an adverse reaction is related to the use of an NSAID or any drug, it should be reported to the pharmaceutical company. Usually, the veterinarian reports it, but if the veterinarian doesn't, the owner should. The company, by law, has to report all adverse reactions to the FDA, which looks for signals of increased frequency and severity of adverse reactions. The FDA works with the pharmaceutical firms to address these events and improve the ability of the product to be more safely used. If unable to report problems directly to the pharmaceutical company, veterinarians and owners are encouraged to report veterinary Adverse Drug Experiences (ADEs) and suspected product failures to the government agency that regulates the product. Adverse experiences with NSAIDs should be reported to the FDA's CVM. Michele Sharkey, D.V.M., of the FDA's Office of New Animal Drug Evaluation, contributed to this article. ________________________________________ Medicate Under Veterinary Supervision The FDA has approved some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for use in dogs. In the United States, there are no oral NSAIDs approved for use in cats. Veterinarians can, however, legally prescribe human drugs to animals unless it presents a risk to the public health. This type of use is known as extralabel, or off-label, for uses not listed on the label. Extralabel use can also mean prescribing a drug to a different species, for a different condition, or in a different dosage than that for which the drug was approved. For example, a veterinarian may prescribe a lower dose of an NSAID drug approved for dogs to a cat with an inflamed joint. But pet owners should not give their own drugs to pets or otherwise medicate their animals without veterinary supervision, says Michele Sharkey, D.V.M., in the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine. Different species metabolize drugs differently, she says. "You take aspirin or Tylenol on any given day for a headache and not think twice about it, but dogs are more sensitive to aspirin than humans, and one Tylenol can kill a cat. Pet owners should always work with their veterinarians to make medication decisions." ________________________________________ FDA-Approved NSAIDs for Use in Dogs Brand name Established name Manufacturer/ distributor and year of FDA approval Indication Type of dosage Manufacturer's telephone number for assistance or to report suspected adverse reaction Etogesic etodolac Fort Dodge Animal Health, 1998 management of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis in dogs tablet (800) 533-8536 Rimadyl carprofen Pfizer Animal Health, 1996 (caplet); 1999 (tablet); 2003 (injectable) relief of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis in dogs; control of postoperative pain associated with soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries in dogs caplet and chewable tablet; injection (800) 366-5288 Deramaxx deracoxib Novartis Animal Health US Inc., 2002 control of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis in dogs; control of postoperative pain and inflammation associated with orthopedic surgery in dogs 4 lbs or greater chewable tablet (800) 332-2761 Metacam meloxicam Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc., 2003 (oral suspension, and injectable) control of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis in dogs drops given by mouth; injection (866) METACAM (638-2226) Zubrin tepoxalin Schering-Plough Animal Health Corp., 2003 control of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis in dogs rapidly disintegrating tablet (800) 224-5318 Previcox firocoxib Merial Ltd., 2004 control of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis in dogs chewable tablet (877) 217-3543 Novox generic carprofen IMPAX Laboratories Inc./Vedco Inc., 2005 relief of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis in dogs caplet (888) 708-3326 U.S. Food and Drug Administration ________________________________________ Questions regarding ADE reporting should be addressed to: Center for Veterinary Medicine Division of Surveillance, HFV-210 7519 Standish Place Rockville, MD 20855 (888) FDA-VETS (332-8387) |
08-28-2009, 10:25 PM | #10 | |
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08-28-2009, 10:33 PM | #11 | |
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08-29-2009, 07:33 AM | #12 |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Wausau, WI
Posts: 419
| To answer your question about brown or white rice. I use white long grain instant. It was all I had at the time and needed something quick, so made a huge pot of the hamburger/rice. I always fed her Iams for puppys under 1 year. I give her treats periodically (twice per day when she does her "job"). I break the treat in half, so in essence she is only getting one. I suppose I can no longer give her treats? I haven't in weeks. Her stool was brown, but now it's mooshy golden color. In the yard I can't pick it up, I spray it with the hose and it disappears. It runs out of her like a faucet, with no formation what so ever. It was okay the 1st week on the hamb/rice and then Thur pm it turned loose again. The vet told me yogurt is better than the probiotic capsule/pill form. Said it will do the same thing. I don't know much about this, I just follow what they tell me. Thank you so much for all the infomation. I'm desperate so will try anything. I'm going to get the purina ha today. Is that for small/young pups? She's one yrs old and weighs 4.8 lbs. Thank you again |
08-29-2009, 07:34 AM | #13 |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Wausau, WI
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| Thanks for the tip. Vet's office DID say yogurt does the same trick. Do YOU believe it does? Thx. |
08-29-2009, 01:08 PM | #14 |
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08-29-2009, 01:09 PM | #15 | |
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