My Zoey has Chronic Renal Failure
 

The vet says she does not need SQ fluids at this point since she is eating and drinking well. :uhoh: Her labs are crappy but he said she still looks good with spunk in her eyes. He did a needle withdrawal of urine for C&S testing primarily. It is a long shot but it could he acute and be caused my an infection:crossfing. He did say terriers are little fighters and will probably do better than a larger dog. :crossfing

He gave her a Vitamin B injections, and Pepcid injection. He also prescribed 1/4 tab of Pepcid AC daily, 25-100 mg of aluminum hydroxide daily with meals, and Cerenia daily. I also just ordered Azodyl. :)

She ate a few tablespoons of Science diet K/D canned- Will keep trying for now but will switch to other brands as needed- Not sure which one to try next I have to look at them. She is not an egg fan and second ingredient in the K/D is egg whites but this is what they had in the office. He said most important is to get her to her. She is following doctors orders and eating pure junk but she likes it mostly yogurt drops. She is drinking distiller water recommended over tap with sugar added. She hated the pedialyte and gatorade- Tasted and made the this is gross face.

We will fight til she seems to no longer have full quality of life. Other than the weight loss she is acting like herself overall. She is my cuddly couch potato.

I will need to get the others tested but he said to just try to relax and focus on Zoey. Take 1 day at a time. Tomorrow Buddy has dog training and Zoey will be attending in her stroller which she loves and then to watch the other dogs run around like nuts. She has always been above this craziness. I guess I now have 2 shadows while at home.

Wish me luck.

Anyone try Canine Kidney Health by Five Leaf Pet pharmacy. Worth the money or worthless. I don't want to buy some false treatment that won't help but only give me false hope.

My vet wants to do repeat bloodwork in 2-3 weeks depending in how she is doing.

Praying for a quick recovery for little Zoey....

Should I take her to UPENN to see a doggie nephrologist?

Thanks for your thoughts
 

Unfortunately, there is no recovery unless by some miracle it is acute renal failure. Her care is palliative based. Make her as comfortable for as long as possible.

My biggest fear is that it may be genetic especially due to her age. Biopsy at death would give more definitive diagnosis. My other yorkies are her mom and sisters. It maybe Juvenile Renal failure due to Renal Dysphagia which has a high incidence in yorkies. They are born within and for most don't cause problems til they are older.

Penn is not a bad idea! :)

As for the food....diet is really the most important thing with a pup showing renal changes. I had a pup who had changes and she lived for many years after the initial diagnosis...she did not like the Hill's K/D and was on Purina EN for all of those years. Of course, if you are not happy with the RX diets, you could do a consult with a board certified vet nutritionist. You can find one at:
American College of Veterinary Nutrition There probably is one at Penn.

I'm sorry... I meant that I'd be praying that it is acute and not chronic. I think seeing a nephrologist is a very good idea.

Thanks.

Oh darn!! I just re read my post...I meant Purina NF ..not EN..that is for gastrointestinal stuff.

My vet needs to write a script for it though right. I can only seems to order it has a case over the net. Does it smell like actual wet dog food? Zoey likes wet dog food. The Science diet does not smell good to her. I would hate to buy it and then find she hates it too. Can I feed it to the other dogs in small amount mixed without their kibbles if she won't eat it?

Yes, you do need a prescription for it. I have only used the canned..not the kibble. I thought the Hill's K/D had a funky odor to it. I did not find that with the NF.
I imagine you could mix it with your other pups' kibble...but really you should be able to return it if she does not like it! If your vet does not deal with returns, have him write a prescription and get it from Petsmart...I am sure they accept returns. Hill's and Purina both will take food back.

So Petsmart can order it for me will it be quicker than over the Internet? Or does Petsmart/Petco/Petvalue keep it in stock buy will only release with script? The K/D does smell funny.

I believe that they have it there in stock....Banfield probably sells it. I don't know. I just have heard of people buying RX foods there.

Thank you so much. They are not open yet but as soon as they open I am definitely going to call they. I hope they carry the Purina.

She ate some of the K/D this morning- I read omega 3 and 6, vit.E, and vitamin B are good. I had them already because in need to still supplement my rescued golden, Buddy. I put 6 drops of fish oil, 4 drops of liquid vitamin E and a tiny pinch of B complex after I crushed the tab. I also made some buffalo meat yesterday and had saved the juices- 1 teaspoon was mixed with everything else. She seemed to like it okay.

I am doing the best I can for her. I am giving her a little break before I give her the meds.

Yes, if you are willing to go to a vet school, that would probably be best for her. I'm not sure that they all have nephrologists (could look somewhere else in the state), but if not you can always see a general internist.

Is this the pup that hasn't had much of an appetite? Ate Blue Buffalo? I would not let her near that anymore. They already have complaints about possible kidney/bladder/vitamin deficiency issues.

She really does need to be on K/D, NF, or a diet created for her by a board certified veterinary nutritionist. If she will only eat homecooked, then this consult should be done immediately. Feeding the wrong foods may just make things worse.

I am trying to get her to eat the K/D she does not like. I am trying to get the Purina NF locally because a few people (especially Lady Jane :)) said their pickier eaters have eaten it. If need be I will order over the Internet. My vet will give a script. She is already off the Blue Buffalo. I am trying to get her to eat the special diet but any food at this point is better than her not eating at all.

Do you have a Petsmart/Banfield close to you? I am sure they have it! If not, another vet in your area! Sometimes I buy my RX foods from other vets when my vet is out of one....they just give me a prescription for it! :) You really should be able to get it locally unless you live deep in the Pine Barrens. ;)

Bansfield and the local Amimal ER do not have it. I called Purina as asked for the names of vets who had purchased the Purina NF within the last 3 months. They gave my a list of 25 places. The very last one I called had it. My vet is faxing the script for me now so I will have it by this late afternoon at the latest. I have to take Buddy for training from 12-1pm and am taking Zoey in her stroller which she loves. She loves single baby time.

Say a little prayer that she LOVES it.

Does adding a few drops of fish oil for smell and flavor as needed seem okay?

Wow...that is amazing it is that hard to find! Glad that you found it, though!

Personally, I would not add a thing to it. Just give it to her and see how she does. If she does not eat it the first time, perhaps the next. Just pick it up and give it to her a bit later. Honestly, I think she will like it. The only thing you might add is a bit of water to make it like a thick soup...rather than giving chunks of it. I am assuming you are getting the canned?

Yes I got the can. She seemed to like it okay I did warm it with boiled water under the plate til it was warm and added some warmed distiller water to it- Nothing else. She ate 1/8 cup of it for dinner. I hope she eats better tomorrow. She had a long day today. Her stroller to run errands but she wanted to go.

Yay! I hope she continues to like it. Does your vet intend to do some follow up labs after she is on this food for a while? That is when you will hopefully see some results. I know I did! :)

Sending prayers for comfort for your girl. Keeping fingers crossed she likes and will eat the food for you.

I'm so sorry your girl has been diagnosed with this dreaded condition. I've been where your at, this is a journey none of us expect to travel with our pups. Personally, I found a lot of valuable info and moral support from a kidney group. Maybe when your not so overwhelmed you could check it out. The SQ fluids they suggested gave my boy almost two more precious years of life. This is their link....

K9KIDNEYS : for owners of dogs with Kidney Disease

If you google "Dogaware kidney " this also has some info explained in a very simple and helpful form.......I wish you all the best......

He wants to redraw blood in 3 weeks and draw labs on the other yorkies then too. I just got the Azodtyl in the mail about 30 minutes ago and gave it to her. Hopefully everything I am doing helps.

I hope so, too! I will keep her in my thoughts and prayers.

Looking into UPenn. Waiting for test results on Zoey for last Wed. When they call I am insisting on SQ fluids. If they refuse to the Pet ER we go.

Zoey had a pretty good HRH weekend.

Zoey is still getting and drinking well for her a least. She has eaten 1 can of the Purina NF since Thursday. She will primarily only eat it in the morning warmed with hot distiller water. I attempt to get her to eat more of it throughout the day but she overall refuses. She will drink some whole milk, liver, bacon, chicken, steak, Vanilla ice cream, sweet potatoes, butter, mayo, etc. Attempting to offer low Phos foods with low or only quality protein. She ate at least 130 calories yesterday in addition to Purina NF. She is having 1-2 loose BMs daily but I think it is mostly from the varied diet she is eating. If she shows interest I give it to her. Any food s better than no food. Right? She hates the meds. but will cooperate.

Is it possible that her breath smells better? I think it does.,

Why insist on subcutaneous fluids?? Unless her lab values are way out of whack she does not need them.

As for the foods, feeding her anything but the NF food is scary in my opinion. If you don't want to give her strictly the RX food, then you really need a vet nutritionist. Any food is NOT good...it can make her kidneys worse and ultimately lead to sickness and/or death!

If she is having an appetite problem, ask your vet about Mirtazapine. It helps with nausea and also increases appetite.

Thanks. I'm waiting to be accepted by this group now.

I do not know that particular group, but please be very careful about following internet advice regarding diets for your pup. I had joined one a few years ago and there was far too much advice regarding foods for my comfort. Again, a vet nutrionist can best advise you.

Here...try this link for some great information:

About our founder

Perhaps you could arrange a telephone consult with Dr. Remillard.

Numerous sites are saying SQ fluids will help her not hurt her. I will make me, Mommy, feel better to know she is hydrated. I may be driving her nuts while the water bowl. Every time she moves someone runs to offer her water.

I am trying to get her to eat the plain NF but I can't force her to consume it. Isn't it better she eats something rather than nothing? Can't she start to breakdown her own body if she is not eating enough? My vet stressed it is very important that she eat. He said it is best if she eats the Kidney food but if she refuses get her to eat something.

She has not vomited since she was diagnosed so I don't think she is nauseous. Isn't Mirtazapine- Remeron- An antidepressant? I give it at work. Isn't metabolized and excreted by the kidneys- Won't it build up with decreased kidneys functions? I guess I should into this too. What is a common dose for a 5 pound yorkie? I wonder why my vet did not prescribe this since she has a decreased appetite?

I think my head with explode with all this info. I need to get a copy of the lab. results. My vet knows me too well he knows I would have driven myself even nutter if I had the results than I am now.