Hi all, my old Goldie (almost 13) had a blood test yesterday and it showed that she has problems with her kidneys.  When I searched on the internet it looks as though, from the test results, that it could be in the late stages.  She is still eating well, drinking alot, but it is also very hot here, and is happy in herself going on her daily walks without problems.  She has started on medication, Rubenal 300, and I am looking into changing her diet, does anyone on the  forum have experience of special diets for dogs with kidney problems?  What is the best one to use - what about fresh food, I have never fed this way before always used a complete food but am willing to try anything to help Penny.  I know there isn't a cure but as long as she is happy and eating I need to try anything to help her.  Any suggestions welcome.
Thank you
Jan and Penny   

I had a toy poodle who suffered the start of both liver and kidney failure when he was about 12 years old and the vet put him on a hepatic support dog food (the tinned one as brandy was only used to eating wet food) however despite trying to get him to eat it for about 8 weeks which meant i had to hand feed it to him and then he wouldn't eat it all the vet suggested cooking him either white fish and rice or chicken and rice. He was also given vitamins (pet tabs daily) to cover the lack of vitamins in the food. I cooked the fish and chicken for him each day and managed to keep him for approx 2 years more in reasonably good health before his kidneys packed up completely and he was pts just short of 14 years old. Hope this helps.

Hi ttaylor45, thank you for your reply, so pleased for you that you an extra couple of years with your poodle.  From what I've been reading I may be able to slow down the deterioration of the kidney failure and am seriously thinking of giving her a fresh food diet, so am looking for people who have gone down this route, I've made a note of the fish and rice and chicken and rice - I don't have a problem at the moment with her not eating, she has a good appetite and is always telling me when it's time for dinner!  Thanks again for your reply much appreciated.
Jan and Penny

JanW, I have had experience of a bitch with kidney failure.If you can give me a couple of days I'll pm you some suggestions, it's a bit hectic here at the moment but I hope to be able to respond by Sunday.
Kind regards