Does anyone have experience of what high potassium levels in blood may mean. My welsh springer has just been found to have high
blood pressure and tests thereafter have found some protein in urine and high levels of potassium in the blood. My research suggests kidney problems. Re tests are to be done in a couple of weeks in the meantime what advice can you give me on what this could mean and what should I be doing to help my girl. She is 11 years old.

Thanks you

Most common cause of high serum K+ is dehydration and/or renal problems
ACE inhibitor drugs used in Hypertension ( high blood pressure) also causes high K+ and is an unfortunate side effect.Your vet will need to monitor and adjust.

Getting more fluids into her is certainly a way you can help.

Hi There :)

My 15 year old boy has been in renal failure for 2 years. His levels have decreased markedly from initial testing and the only treatment he has had was a teeth clean and a low phosphorous/salt/protein diet.

I would suggest a change of diet if you suspect renal failure. He wouldn't tolerate the renal diet (apparently very low in palatability for dogs and he was a dog that would eat anything!). He now takes a mix of Burns fish and brown rice and Burns Hypoallergenic mixer.

Hope your dog starts to feel a little brighter soon.

Thanks for that. Can you tell me what the signs were before you had a diagnosis? I am thnking drinking more maybe? She seems really off her food today but that could be the hot weather except its never put her off in the past.

Sue 

Yes, it was drinking more than usual. Susprisingly, it wasn't drinking vast amounts of water...just visiting the water bowl more frequently for sips.