Rusky Posted April 22, 2006 Share Posted April 22, 2006 My old girl went to kennels for the last week and we rushed home yesterday as the kennels called us that she wasn't too well. She wasn't eating, was listless, peeing a lot, wet and smelly round her nether regions and just generally not too happy, no waggy tail which in a goldie is unheard of. I took her to the emergency vet and fortunately it was the boss who is also our old neighbour. He looked at everything and as her temp is high and she isn't eating he diagnosed a kidney infection rather than a lower tract. We have a kick start antibiotic injection, a hormone injection and a week of antibiotics. I need to also get a urine sample to him tomorrow. I do feed her on mature supercoat, chicken carcass, necks and beef bones. She likes some vegies. I am wondering if there are any kidney diet suggestions to help keep her on track once we have this illness beaten. I was pretty stressed that she was so wet, she has dysplasia, since she was a pup. I did all I could for her and I was so worried her back end was going. Not the case thank God. I am following all of Ernys thread too but any suggestions will be greatfully accepted. She looks so sad right now, and pongy I will wash her later when she feels a bit better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TURBOTERROR Posted April 22, 2006 Share Posted April 22, 2006 Unless the vet has already recommended it , i would feed her food that is low in protein and sodium. IE; Hills Science DIet Senior. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted April 22, 2006 Share Posted April 22, 2006 (edited) The following is from THIS link: http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/kf.html DIETARY CONSIDERATIONS Contrary to popular myth, diets rich in protein ("high protein levels") do not cause kidney damage. Research done decades ago indicated that rodent kidneys were adversely affected by diets high in protein... and misguided researchers extrapolated that data to apply to the canine. There is no evidence that feeding dogs and cats diets rich in or "high" in protein actually causes kidney damage or disease. Some day this myth will be finally be put to rest. In fact, there is ample research and well documented studies that prove that dogs and cats thrive on diets with levels of protein consistent with a meat-eater's (carnivore) natural prey selection. Read more about protein in dog and cat diets here. Additionally, documented research on dogs indicates that reducing dietary protein levels in older dogs may be unwise; however, if kidney damage is already present to the extent that the BUN levels are 75mg/dl or above, some restriction of dietary protein may be beneficial for metabolic reasons... not renal reasons. "...restriction of protein intake does not alter the development of renal lesions nor does it preserve renal function." (See KIRKS VETERINARY THERAPY XIII, Small Animal Practice, W. B. Saunders, page 861). Restricting dietary protein may be helpful to those patients whose BUN levels are rather high and that are already in advanced kidney failure. There are other sites available if you google "Canine Kidney Infections". I don't know anything about this topic, but from what I can gather, you might need to determine from your Vet what sort of infection it is that is affecting your dog's kidneys. Sorry that I am not much more help than that. I do hope Goldie recovers soon. Edited April 22, 2006 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusky Posted April 22, 2006 Author Share Posted April 22, 2006 thanks for that link Erny I have been googling and reading but hadn't seen that particular one. The vet did explain the seniors diets though they are not always low in protein they have extra anti oxidents. I already feed Cindy on a senior supercoat which he assured me has all the right stuff in. The seniors he told me interestingly have these anti oxidents because Hills researched that the old timers in dogs was the same or similar to the adult version which was put to use in humans and works as well with dogs. All senior diets for dogs now add the stuff. So make sure you all get these anti oxidents ( whatever or where ever they are :rolleyes: ) Thanks for the good wishes. I am so very worried still, she has never been so quiet in her life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted April 22, 2006 Share Posted April 22, 2006 It is always such a worry, when our beloved pets are not well. I will add Goldie to my thoughts and wishes for a return to health. Good luck, and let us know how she gets on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gemibabe Posted April 22, 2006 Share Posted April 22, 2006 Oh Rusky I do hope she is back to her normal self soon. Kylie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttaburra Posted April 22, 2006 Share Posted April 22, 2006 Sorry to hear your girl is sick. The antibiotics are likely clear it up so try not to worry too much. There is a medication that increases blood supply to the kidneys in old animals but I don't know the name, it might be suitable if there is any drop in kidney function after the infection. Keep her warm and quiet for a few days. See that she gets plenty of water. Hope she's feeling better soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusky Posted April 23, 2006 Author Share Posted April 23, 2006 I dropped a urine spec into the vet today, he called me and said her kidneys are already compromised but to take her in tomorrow morning and he will do some blood work and see if anymore can be done. She is actually going downhill. I am so afraid. I still haven't washed her, she is fragile, she is sleeping mostly and hasn't eaten for 3 days now. She is still drinking but her kidneys aren't taking the waste away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrangeSammy Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 How did the vet visit go today? It's so tough when they grow older and not being able to fix these aches and pains easily. Thinking of you and your girl, Rusky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 Yes - I was just thinking about Goldie too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glorybea Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 so sorry to hear about Goldie , I know she is much older that my 4yr old who has the beginnings of Kidney failure and the diet my vet has her on is NO dry food ,and feed her protein to make the kidneys work .so she has chicken, ox heart , small veg and pasta every day to give her energy ,I hope by the time you read this that your Goldie is showing all signs of being brighter and kisses you all over . mine was diagnosed in Oct and I give urine samples every 2 mths thinking of you both Glorybea so sorry to hear about Goldie , I know she is much older that my 4yr old who has the beginnings of Kidney failure and the diet my vet has her on is NO dry food ,and feed her protein to make the kidneys work .so she has chicken, ox heart , small veg and pasta every day to give her energy ,I hope by the time you read this that your Goldie is showing all signs of being brighter and kisses you all over . mine was diagnosed in Oct and I give urine samples every 2 mths thinking of you both Glorybea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusky Posted April 24, 2006 Author Share Posted April 24, 2006 I took her to the vet this morning and dropped her off for the day as it is my day at rescue. I collected her on the way home and the nurse there said she had a lovely day I am still waiting for the vet to call with the results which they tell me the lab will fax through soon as they are done. Good news though I cooked her some chicken last night and she ate a bit of it, then I gave her a bit more and she took that too. A vet nurse I know told me that any nutrition will be good nutrition right now and she gave me some special cat diet food which she said Cindy would not be able to resist, she ate that just before and she is a little brighter today.. I am sorry for the name confusion, I call her my old goldie cos she is a golden retriever but her Sunday name is "Cindy" My last golden her name actually was Goldy. I really appreciate your thoughts and support, I am a bit stunned by it all as it happend so quickly but now I am wondering if I missed something because she is a bit slower as she gets older. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pampa Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 So glad to hear Cindy is eating a little bit and is a little bit brighter. It seems you have a wonderful vet/nurse... It must be reassuring to be able to leave her there on rescue days in knowing she'll be looked after and, on top of that, enjoying the day there ! Have you received her results ?... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusky Posted April 24, 2006 Author Share Posted April 24, 2006 Have you received her results no not yet but I know that the vets were all in surgery till late so I hope to hear something tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusky Posted April 24, 2006 Author Share Posted April 24, 2006 The vet called me and basically the blood tests just really confirmed the kidney disease and that she has some renal failure. If she goes downhill I take her back immediately. She is presently not flushing much waste from her body. I am to continue the antibiotics for the next 8 days then do another urine sample. He saw an improvement in her today, she wagged her tail and ate a little so if she manages to self repair some of her nephrons (they can apparently)he will put her on some medication which may assist repair. I have to wait now and hope she continues to improve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 Rusky - thoughts to you and old Goldie during this rough time. It's tough when age can start to catch up on them. Go, Goldie ..... do your 'repair' stuff. Hope you feel better soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glorybea Posted April 25, 2006 Share Posted April 25, 2006 hi Rusty , just to say I am glad to hear that your girl is eat even if only at little it gives you something to hold on to - they are so much the love of our lives Get well wishes to you both, Glorybea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pampa Posted April 25, 2006 Share Posted April 25, 2006 He saw an improvement in her today, she wagged her tail and ate a little so if she manages to self repair some of her nephrons (they can apparently)he will put her on some medication which may assist repair. I didn't know nephrons can be repaired/replaced ! This is good news. In hoping the antibiotics will knock the nasties out of her system, allowing her to get on top of it and at least get her kidneys flushing the waste out of her blood a little better... Are there any holistic alternatives to help illiminate excess water/toxins from the blood whilst her kidneys are functioning so poorly ??... (probably a stupid question, I've never had to cope with renal failure before...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusky Posted April 25, 2006 Author Share Posted April 25, 2006 It is a good question and I am cooking chicken and fish for her, I will look more carefully at diet when she is eating normally again, right now I just want her to eat. I am guessing stuff like chicken anyway and fish, she loves sardines she has a tin a week. I need to make sure I give her the right fish. I am reading everything I can find. I didn't know nephrons could be repaired either. Apparently in a young dog the function can improve a lot, in an older dog it is not so positive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 Rusky ........ how's Goldie going? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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