My Yorkie has kidney disease

[ladyjane]

Your Chelsea and you are in my thoughts and prayers. No, it is not easy.

[manolos mom]

Originally Posted by Yorkielover04

LadyJane, I just want to update you about my Chelsea. Last few days have looked pretty grim, Chelsea didnt eat, and hardly drank water, laid in her crate most of the days. I tried and tried to keep her comfortable, lots of love, belly rubs, and smooth talking. It was very frustrating to see her reject food and water. In the evenings, while I watched TV, I would pick her up and she would lay in my lap, listless, no energy, I thought for sure her time was near.

I spoke to my vet about your suggestion of mirtazapin, he was not familiar with the med, but researched and agreed it was a worth a try. So, he called in a RX to my drugstore, late yesterday afternoon. When I went to pick it up, I was told they were out of it, but would refer the RX to another location. Last night, late, I get a phone call from that drugstore, that they had referred the RX to ANOTHER location. I started to feel that it was a sign about this med, wouldnt be the right choice for Chelsea, but I was finally able to retrieve the med today.

I was determined to give her the dosage, so I bought some turkey franks, and hid it in the piece. She did eat it! Within an hour, I offered a small portion of her food, and she ate it...ALL! Chelsea as known as the family "goat", she usually will scarf anything down you offer her. There isnt much she doesnt like, so her not eating for days, truly concerned me.

Sat.-A few minutes ago, Lexi and Chelsea were "talking"....ummmm, more like "shouting" at each other. I asked them if they wanted to go outdoors, and Chelsea almost knocked Lexi out of the way, to get to the doggie door!
Chelsea then continued to RUN around our back yard, happily barking.

Sun.-I delayed posting this, because I didnt want to jinx Chelsea's behavior. She had a quiet night last night, this morning I gave her the med again, her second dosage. I waited about 30 min, then offered her usual portion of food, and she ate it ALL! She is up walking through the house, drinking water, and starting to play with her stuffies.

I cant THANK YOU enough for your suggestion and input of the med. I just pray she continues to do well on it.

A VERY happy...
Chelsea'sMom

Mirtazapine saved my Lola's life. She dropped down to 2lbs and normally weighs 6lbs. Lola was diagnosed with Histoplasmosis, a fugus in her intestines found in the soil. Most dogs do not survive this. She had chronic diarrea and vomiting and would not eat. Linda told me about Mirtazapine. I gave it to her that night and within an hour she was licking the floors trying to find food. It brought back her appitite. I know it helped Linda's Cody. Good Luck to you. Sending you and Chelsea hugs.

[manolos mom]

Just stopping by for an update. Hope everything is going well.

[Yorkielover04]

Thank you for checking on us! I am happy to report, Chelsea ate her AM and PM feeding today, of course, the finely chopped turkey helped, but HEY...anything to make her eat, which makes her thirsty. Our vet refilled the RX, since its working so well.

Keeping my fingers crossed!

Chelsea'sMom

[manolos mom]

Originally Posted by Yorkielover04

Thank you for checking on us! I am happy to report, Chelsea ate her AM and PM feeding today, of course, the finely chopped turkey helped, but HEY...anything to make her eat, which makes her thirsty. Our vet refilled the RX, since its working so well.

Keeping my fingers crossed!

Chelsea'sMom

I'm so glad.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by manolos mom

I'm so glad.

So am I!!

[pearlwilson]

Hi there i`m sorry that your little one isn`t feeling well. My baby has had kidney problems for over a year now & is on medication from vets. He didn`t like what vet recommended for him to eat so we found that he liked james wellbeloved in pouch form, quite low in protein. He is now 15 & half & still enjoys two short walks a day but also likes to sleep rather a lot these days

[Yorkielover04]

Thank you pearlwilson for posting. What med is your baby on for kidney failure? Where can I purchase the food?

Chelsea went in for more blood work yesterday, and the numbers are higher, so this isnt good. Yet, she is eating, but not her low protein, and I bribe her with some finely chopped turkey in her food. She has refused the K/D dry and canned food. Our vet said to let her eat what she wants, at this point, and by eating she gets thirsty, she is stable for now.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Chelsea'sMom

[ladyjane]

If she does not like the Hills KD, perhaps she would eat the Purina NF. She really should stay on one of these foods. I had the same problem with KD.

[pearlwilson]

Hi there, my baby is on FORTEKOR tablets 2.5mg He has half a tablet a day. He has been on these for about a year now. He enjoys James Wellbeloved moist dog food which comes in a sachet. He loves the lamb & rice one. It is hypo-allergenic- no unhealthy additives & only 5% protein. He finds it a lot more tasty than the vet prescription foods. Last time he had his blood works done the vet said he had improved since previous time & said whatever you are doing to keep up with it!!

[manolos mom]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

If she does not like the Hills KD, perhaps she would eat the Purina NF. She really should stay on one of these foods. I had the same problem with KD.

I have heard that they like Purina NF! How is her appitite?

[smepperson]

My husband and I just went through this with our baby. K9Kidneys on Yahoo Groups is a wonderful resource for information from the admins as is Dogaware.com and CRF Dogs on Facebook. Nutrition, recipes, meds, all are addressed and if your particular question is not addressed they are more than willing to answer and offer great advice.

Hope this helps.

Sharon, David & Angel GizmoDarling

[jenymae]

my "baby" sparkle got diagnosed with kidney disease last december and it last week over routine bloodwork we found out her creatine was at 3.5 then this past monday jumped to 5 which is awful. my vet immediately started fluids for 2 days and got her levels down to 2.6. but she is just so tired today and doesn't want to eat. she did get all excited for steak and ate some of that tonight. she is suffering from glomelular disease. just wondering if you have any insights on it. my heart is breaking for her.
she was on enalapril since last december and doing great. my vet thinks it was actually the enalparil that may have made her levels soar. think i'm going to take her in tomorrow she isn't herself. this is just extremely hard. i have her mom and dad still living and a 22 month son so our house is crazzy. but all i can do is think about my sparkle and pray she gets better....

[anniernc]

Ask your vet about Azodyl. It is suppose to keep the creatinine and Bun down. I did research on it after my little Heidi was diagnosed with acute renal failure and showed the info to my vet and he said it certainly would not hurt. She was also on enalapril to increase blood flow to the kidneys. To keep her phosphorous level down he either had her on mylanta or maalox (I can't remember which one but you vet should know). After she had three days of IV fluids at the vet he sent her home and I gave her sub-q fluids twice a day and after awhile we went to once a day. My sweet baby lived for 3 1/2 yrs more years. She would have been 18 years old if she had made it another 11 days. There were several times when we didn't think she would make it but she suprised us all and had a good quality of life until the last month or so. My prayers are with and your little one.

[ladyjane]

I am so sorry about your little Sparkle. Sometimes it is difficult to get a balance between cardiac and kidney problems. You treat one and the other flairs up. Hopefully, she will stabilize. I will keep her in my thoughts and prayers.
As for appetite...if she continues to have problems, you might want to ask your vet about the Mirtazapine.