Peek A Boo is in the Early Stages of Renal Failure
 

Still in a bit of shock, I know it could have been worse news. Vet recommends diet change to Hill's Prescription K/D. Is there anything better like home cooking, or supplements I could do for him? Any advice would be appreciated...TIA.

The only way I would do home cooking or any type of supplements is on the advice of a vet nutritionist.

I have had pups live long lives with renal failure if caught early like his. They were put on RX foods and did fantastic. My Sassy many years ago was on K/D for a while...but then switched to Purina NF and she liked that better. She lived for a long time...her estimated age was 17 when she passed. I believe she was in renal failure for about 9 years .. not sure exactly but it was a long time. Cody came to me at the age of 8 in renal failure...he lived until just before he turned 13. He was on Purina NF until the last 6 - 8 months when he started having pancreatic issues so I did a consult with Dr. Bauer from Texas A&M and I home cooked until he passed.

So sorry he has this, but it many times can be managed for long periods.

I agree with linda that if you want to home cook, a vet nutritionist consult is the way to go to make sure the diet is really accurate for Peek. Of course I recommend Dr Remillard, and a consult w/ diet is $250 with her. She actually did a lot of kidney research while at Angell. Her website is PetDiets - VNC putting pets' health first!

The other alternative is to go to www.balanceit.com and use the free recipe generator and select kidney disease. Once your vet approves the diet you can see it and purchase the Balance It - K product which is the likely supplement (you can't buy it w/o vet approval). Also, Balance IT has a new formula called Balance It Canine-K rice blend -- it is a milled rice flake formula and all you do is add meat and cook it. Again your vet has to approve.

As for supplements, omega 3s in a therapeutic dose is said to help parts of the kidney regenerate. I use Nordic Naturals 1 capsule per day for my almost 8 lb. Of course you should check w/ your vet.

I'm sorry about Peek a Boo's diagnosis :(

:thumbup::thumbup:

As for the omega 3s .. the vet nutritionist did recommend it for Olivia who has PLN but I could not get her to eat it in anything. The food she is on has some, so she said she is ok.

I'm sorry to hear. :( Hope this can be managed just like Linda said.

I am so sorry. I will keep Peek a Boo in my prayers.

No advise but wanted you to know I will be keeping Peek A Boo in my prayers.

So sorry to hear about Peek A Boo. Sending prayers and best wishes.

Kathy so sorry to read the news about Peek A Boo.. I can't advise on diet but can offer prayers.

Hi Kathy. I am sorry and I understand how scared and hopeless this makes you feel. My Sam was just diagnosed with the same about 10 days ago. I was really loss and spent the first days crying because I misunderstood and thought he had protein loss also.

Anyway I received the same advice from Cathy and Linda. Good advice. My vet started him on hills k9 and I already was home cooking using a supplement from Balance-it so I got a recipe from the Vets at Balance it.

I also joined a yahoo group.. k9 kidney diet.. it was recommended by scoobersmom. I opened a new email account (free with gmail or ymail) to use for the group because you get a lot of emails. Many members believe in home cooking and supplements to help their dogs, of course don’t do anything without research and checking with your vet. I find the mod on the group very supportive and at the least you get a lot of understanding from people who love their pets and understand what you are feeling.


At this point Sam seams to be doing well. He eats the hills k9 and I am going to prepare the balance-it receips this week end and freeze daily servings for a months supply. The vet said to bring him back in 6 months.
I hope this helps you.. I think we are both lucky to have Linda and Cathy with their experences and knowledge to help us!!!

very sorry for this prayers that suggested changes help improve the situation. prayers to peek a boo....and mommy too.

Kathy, I am very sorry to hear Peek's diagnosis. Shinja, the same with Sam. Years ago, our Airedale lived for several years with declining renal function. She had excellent quality of life to age 19. Praying that your pups can be managed as well.

Keeping Peek A Boo in my prayers.

Renal
 

So sorry to hear of the diagnosis, but as it is in early stages it is very likely that it can be successfully managed as suggested in the above helpful posts. Thank God you and the vet caught it early so that it can be treated. Important to keep him well hydrated. Don't panic, he will do well I am sure. Thoughts and prayers.

Oh Kath, I'm so sorry :( to hear this. I will say though, my late cat was Dx w/ the same thing and she lived for like 4-5 more years...so there is a lot of hope.

You've already gotten great advice from Lj and 107b :).

Sending lotsa love and hugs.

Kathy,

I have no advice and I am learning a lot from those giving you advice on this thread. I just saw this, though, and wanted to tell you that you and Peek are in my thoughts and prayers. I know you will find the right diet for him. He couldn't ask for a better Mommy to be on his side thru this! Hugs!

Gosh Kathy...I'm really sorry to hear this but hopefully the managed diet will keep him healthy for a good long time.

I am so sorry Kathy, Ill keep him in my thoughts and prayers.

I'm so sorry to hear about Peek. Sending prayers.

You must be so worried, I hope this condition can be managed and you get to spend many more years with Peek A Boo. The posts from others are full of good news and hope for you And Peek.

Sending good thoughts and will pray for Peek A Boo and you.

Sending prayers

Thinking about you and Peek A Boo and sending positive thoughts your way.

Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions and prayers and thoughts. I want to respond individually but I am just too exhausted, and confused! I will be talking to my vet again Thursday, but I think I'll just start Peek on the Hill's K/D and see how he does. Thanks again, all the replies made me feel better.

I'm so sorry to hear this news about our precious one. I will pray for Peek-a-Boo and you!

So sorry about Peek, sending positive thoughts & prayers. Hope the tweak in diet will be good for him!

So sorry to hear about Peek, hope you find a way to regulate the food. I lost my little 2.8 lb. yorkie to kidney disease on March 12th 2013 She was diagnosed in stage 2 Kidney Disease in Oct., I got special food the vet recommended from Rayne Nutrition and both my yorkies had that mixed with other food, they hated it, being primarily sweet potato, squash, cod and cod oil. They hated the Hills and the Purina special KD canned foods. I've also tried home cooked foods they only ate a week, and changed their minds. Lindsey was 13 yrs and 4 mo. old when she passed, she got her rabies vaccine shot on March 1, she had a reaction and had to be hosp. for 2 days, sent home for Pawspice, sub-q fluids, syringe feedings, meds,and she never recovered being only 2.8 lbs and dropping. She was too sick, weak to fight back so we let her go. Nobody told us that terminal dogs do not get rabie shots or any shots/meds. The tech gave it to her without any concent from the vet, NObody checked her records and nobody told me no shots. The same rabies vaccine is given to 100 lbs dogs as given to a 3 lb. dog. We did all we could for Lindsey and still lost her. We still have her older sister who is in early stages of KD and she's fighting grief now also. She's starting to eat again, very fussy eater but she does like sweet potato and a Burger King broiled hamburger small pieces with it, along with senior vitamins. So far so good, at this point the vet said to give her anything she would eat, I've had many homemade mixes I tried to no avail. I am a member of the K9Kidney group, have learned a lot and not looking forward to loosing Lacey, who is 15 yrs 3 months old now. She's getting a lot of love and attenition. KD is the worse like cancer, just hope we can have her with us a little longer, she is also 3 lbs. and holding. Prayers to your Peek, hope you can find the right combinations of foods, will be thinking of him. God bless

so sorry to hear about Peek, good luck at the vet today, I am sure you will go above and beyond to do what is necessary.

sorry about peek a boo// will be keeping her in my prayers

Dr R just answered someone's FAQ about kidney diets and you might find it interesting. The answer follows the post that starts with "I have a 12-year-old mixed breed dog" and is currently the third question on the page.

PetDiets - Ask the Veterinary Nutritionist (DVM + PhD)