Renal Failure
 

Today my daughter's 12 year old Yorkie Spike was diagnosed with renal failure. They are taking him into the office tomorrow to be taught how to give him sub q treatments.
We are all so upset. He was healthy and fine until Saturday. Our hearts are breaking.
We will do anything for Spike but we don't want him to suffer. Can someone please tell me what we should ask the vet? We were given the choice of leaving Spike at the hospital and letting them flush his kidneys or the sub q treatments at home. My son in law wants to keep him at home.
We don't know what to do or where to begin. Any advice or direction would be greatly appreciated.

Yahoo has a group .. renal dog desease. also on Yorkie Talk there are many members that have gone through this. A qualified vet is always the best source, but talking with people who have gone through this helps. Many prolong their dogs lives years with proper treatment and diet.

I have a dog that is in the begining stages, it has been a year. All I have to do at this point is diet. That is a lot of work to do the research and make a decision on the course you want to take. I wish you the best

I don't have any experience with renal failure, but I wanted to offer well wishes to you!

I'm sorry.:(
If a pup has severe symptoms with high lab values they should receive fluids in the hospital to attempt to get the numbers down. After that the pup can get fluids at home.

I'm very sorry to hear about Spike. This is a horrible disease. My 14 year old boy is also going through this. It varies from dog to dog but usually you can prolong their lives. Working in a vet clinic, I've seen some pets live up to a couple of years with treatment and I've heard of some living even longer. I would definitely hospitalize him for IV fluids to do the kidney flush. It can make a huge difference. My boy was on IV fluids for 5 days and now I do SQ fluids every other day. There is a drug called Azodyl that helps keep their BUN levels down. Ask your vet about that. If your vet doesn't sell it, you can buy it online without a prescription. I ordered it from entirelypets.com. There are other sites that sell it also but just make sure whoever you get it from, packs it on ice because it does need to say refrigerated. I also give Bear Zantac for nausea twice a day. I buy it at the store and crush it and make a liquid out of it. Your vet should be able to give you a dose. Famotidine is also sometimes used instead. They also normally recommend feeding them a low protein diet although my boy wouldn't eat it so I'm happy as long as he's eating something. I hope this helps some. Good luck.

dogs with kidney disease and even renal failure can live a long time and have a good quality of life with treatment. I had a Scottie who lived for four years getting sub q treatments and being fed a renal diet. She is still my dream girl and I have fond memories - even of those years. Don't give up on your pup. There's a lot of hope.

I have had pups with renal failure and have always opted for hospitalization and IV fluids. When their numbers are up that is so important in getting the numbers down. As Ellie May said, after they stabilize, you can do fluids at home.
Prescription food is also important.
If he has an issue with his appetite, my vet prescribes Mirtazapine. You could ask the vet about it.
Best wishes...sometimes they can do very well for extended periods. I hope that is the case with Spike.

I'm so sorry your baby is in renal failure. My Presley developed renal disease when he was 16. We treated him with sub q fluids 3 times a week. You can either do this yourself or take them into the vet and they can do it. It was an extra charge for me, but I could not do it at home because Presley moved so much and I kept having to restick him and it would upset us both. He was treated this way for over a year. But, his age was against him. Doctor said he could have gone several more years if he had gotten it younger.

You may want them to check your dogs blood pressure too. If your dog has high blood pressure it can further damage the kidneys.

Sometimes they tend to lose their appetites because they feel nauseous. We put Presley on a probiotic to help his appetite and it worked well.

I know its distressing to hear this, but there are stages to renal disease. If your baby is in the first stages it can be helped with treatment.

Wishing you the best. Feel free to ask any questions if you have any more.

Although we tried everything possible and after being hospitalized since Tuesday Spike lost the battle today. We are heartbroken. I am having a difficult time finding my words but I do want to thank everyone for their kindness.

I'm so sorry to hear this. RIP sweet boy. :(

Oh I am so sorry. I was so hoping for a brighter outcome for you. The loss is difficult I know. Sending you healing prayers...

Oh I am so sorry to read of Spike's passing. God bless the newest Yorkie angel R.I.P Spike.

I am so sorry for Spike's passing. I know this is heartbreaking. Sending prayers for you and the family. R.I.P Spike.

Oh, I am so sorry for your family's loss.

RIP Spike