Kidney Failure
Miss Victoria is 10 this year - we did some pre-dental bloodwork about a month ago that came with with a low albumin (1.2), elevated serum creatinine and BUN (I think 3.1 and 70). So we did a UA and she has 3+ protein in the urine and her urine protein:creatinine ratio does indicate kidney failure.
Of course she is bright and perky and doesn't let on that she could even be a tiny bit sick.
We started her on Benazepril 5 mg po BID (an ACE Inhibitor to maintain kidney function), Fish Oil (2 caps), 1500 mg of Glucosamine, and started her on the Hill's Prescription K/D diet.
We did more bloodwork this week - 10-14 days after making the above changes - her creatinine and BUN were slightly down, her albumin did go up to 1.3 but her potassium was up to 5.8 (from 5.1) and her phosphate was up to 7.3 (from 6.7). Urine still has 3+ protein.
The vet gave me a name of a phosphate-binder (Epikitin) to use and a new bacterial "enteric dialysis" compound from Europe (Azodyl). I found both on amazon.com. And then she mentioned subcutaneous fluids. I am devastated. I think of subcutaneous fluids like dialysis - an end of the road measure. Maybe the vet who broke the original news (not our usual vet) didn't quite emphasize the brevity of the situation. I'm almost a pharmacist (I graduate in 8 months), it's not like I'm not familiar with kidney disease. But I almost wish she would act sick. I started crying on the phone and made the vet cry too (she's in a similar place with her 10 year old dog).
I'm doing everything right, aren't I? The only thing I haven't done so far is an ultrasound, but as a poor student and her x-rays looked good (kidneys not atrophied, and smooth and round) I've been advised that it's not a necessity.
Ugh. It just makes me want to cry and throw up and cry some more. Tori is the best dog ever - I've been so lucky to have her bunny butt in my life but I'd like to keep her around forever and ever.
On top of that, she HATES needles, she has to be muzzled for shots and blood draws. How would she react to getting stuck every day? My boyfriend has offered to do fluids for me, so that Tori will be angry with him and not me. ugh. barf.
Of course she is bright and perky and doesn't let on that she could even be a tiny bit sick.
We started her on Benazepril 5 mg po BID (an ACE Inhibitor to maintain kidney function), Fish Oil (2 caps), 1500 mg of Glucosamine, and started her on the Hill's Prescription K/D diet.
We did more bloodwork this week - 10-14 days after making the above changes - her creatinine and BUN were slightly down, her albumin did go up to 1.3 but her potassium was up to 5.8 (from 5.1) and her phosphate was up to 7.3 (from 6.7). Urine still has 3+ protein.
The vet gave me a name of a phosphate-binder (Epikitin) to use and a new bacterial "enteric dialysis" compound from Europe (Azodyl). I found both on amazon.com. And then she mentioned subcutaneous fluids. I am devastated. I think of subcutaneous fluids like dialysis - an end of the road measure. Maybe the vet who broke the original news (not our usual vet) didn't quite emphasize the brevity of the situation. I'm almost a pharmacist (I graduate in 8 months), it's not like I'm not familiar with kidney disease. But I almost wish she would act sick. I started crying on the phone and made the vet cry too (she's in a similar place with her 10 year old dog).
I'm doing everything right, aren't I? The only thing I haven't done so far is an ultrasound, but as a poor student and her x-rays looked good (kidneys not atrophied, and smooth and round) I've been advised that it's not a necessity.
Ugh. It just makes me want to cry and throw up and cry some more. Tori is the best dog ever - I've been so lucky to have her bunny butt in my life but I'd like to keep her around forever and ever.
On top of that, she HATES needles, she has to be muzzled for shots and blood draws. How would she react to getting stuck every day? My boyfriend has offered to do fluids for me, so that Tori will be angry with him and not me. ugh. barf.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Geri & Sidney on
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Hi Laura,
my corgi mix Bruce was also just diagnosed in kidney reduced function, found out in his pre-dental bloodwork. Like Victoria, he act surprising happy and spry for his age (14), not seemign sick at all. I have him on Royal Canin kidney formula. I also found a recipe online for homemade low protein / low phosphorus diet. It's inexpensive to make and he loves it. Let me know if you want the recipe. Let me know if you want the recipe.
I'm supposed to try him on this diet and check his levels again 6 months from the initial diagnosis. I know we can't afford very involved treatments, so we're hoping the diet will extend his life at least a bit. He still seems happy, but getting fat from this low-protein diet!
I hope Victoria responds well to her treatment. Feel free to vent to us here whenever you need it.
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Permalink Reply by Nancy on
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Hi:
I just read about Bruce. Hope he's doing better. I would be interested in the recipe you are using as a client
of mine just had the same diagnosis for her dog (a greyhound) They have him on the Hills Science k/d but he
apparently hates it and won't eat, consequently, he's lost weight, not good for an already lean dog. I just joined
the site, I have two corgi pems of my own and just love the breed. Only one for me!
Thanks for any help
nancy
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Sure, happy to help!
Here is the recipe:
2 cups cooked white rice
3 slices white bread, crumbled up
1 hard boiled egg, chopped
1/4 pound ground beef (20% fat, not the lean stuff) cooked
1 TUMS tablet, crushed.
I find this gives Bruce about 4 servings. We are vegetarian and so we don't keep ground beef on hand. What I found was handy was to buy frozen 1/4 pound hamburger patties, and that way I only pull out one portion at a time. When he smells the burger cooking, he knows his dinner's on the way and he comes hovering around my feet until it's done.
After the portions run out, I give him the Royal Canin special diet food for a couple days, then make more of the homemade. I chose RC because it seemed the lesser of three evils (Hills, Iams and RC were my only choices).
Bruce has put on a little weight on this diet, but he's a happy chubby dog. I sure hope his numbers maintain or improve at his next checkup. Best of luck with your client's greyhound!
And I agree...now that we know the wonder of corgi ownership, I can't imagine ever having any other breed.
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Permalink Reply by Ziska Childs on
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Permalink Reply by Kristen on
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Laura...so sorry to hear about Miss Victoria. The SubQ fluids will be much easier that shots and blood draw for her, especially if you are there for her. Think of it as a life enhancer and not an end of the road measure. Tori won't be angry with you--she knows you love her. You are doing things right and because you know what is going on you have the opportunity to make changes that will help her live longer/happier. I too wish these little furry, shedding comical bundles of love could live forever. You still have so much more Corgi hair to vacuum up and giggles from watching her sleep to look forward to. All the best. Hugs to you and Mis Tori.
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Permalink Reply by Katie on
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I am going to jingle and throw some rocks for Miss Tori. I agree with Kristen, you've still got lots of corgi hair to fluff and she had lots of snuffles left to give.
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Permalink Reply by Wendt Worth Corgi's on
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Best of luck w/all of this but I do think she will be better w/needles w/you there and in her home. Don't think she will hate you..dogs forgive and forget quickly. Don't be nervous either, be confident and soothing to her. I know that sounds easier then done. Reward her after it or as your boyfriend is going to do it you distract her w/some type of treat that she has to nibble or work to get at in your hand that will go w/her diet restrictions and then she may not resent the needle in the long run. Good luck and my thoughts are with you.
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Permalink Reply by Laura on
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Thankfully her most recent labs (10 days ago) were much improved, without doing fluids. We're still trying to avoid doing fluids.
Poor Torigirl - when I took her to the vet that day she wouldn't get out of the car. So I went around to the passenger seat - she jumped into the driver's seat. Went back to the driver's side - she jumped into the passenger seat. So I picked her up and we went into the office. When they came to take her to the back she didn't want to go - tried to stop, turn back to me, all sorts of very abnormal behaviors for her. So of course I lost it - she's gotten progressively worse about taking the pills especially now that her pill burden is 4 in the am and 3 in the pm plus a crapload of powders on her food - and spent 20 minutes trying not to cry too obviously in the waiting room.
But since then I've discovered spray cheese. That works pretty well, and I put her Tramadol and Benazepril in an empty capsule (from her gluc/chond) and it goes down smoothly.
If you hold her down and give her pills the "regular" way she gets very, very offended. As in will leave the room and not eat her breakfast! She's always been the good dog and refuses to believe anything otherwise - she doesn't think she deserves to be sat on and have her mouth opened, etc
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