My Zoey has Chronic Renal Failure

[MikaTallulah]

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.

[MikaTallulah]

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.

[kjc]

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

[MikaTallulah]

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

[MikaTallulah]

Originally Posted by kjc

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

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.

[ladyjane]

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.

[kjc]

Originally Posted by MikaTallulah

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.

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.

[MikaTallulah]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

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.

Thanks.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by MikaTallulah

Thanks.

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

[MikaTallulah]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

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?

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by MikaTallulah

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.

[MikaTallulah]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

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.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by MikaTallulah

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.

[MikaTallulah]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

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.

[Ellie May]

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.