Hello all,

I wonder if anyone here has experience of kidney disease/failure in a dog.

My vet thinks that my 11 year old cocker has this and was admitted yesterday and will stay in for about 4 days so she can be rehydrated and have more tests etc.

She has been quite bright, willing to walk etc but over about 7-10 days she has been off her food just sometimes picking out the fresh chicken I'd mixed in with it, constipated for a few days then last week had shocking diarrhoea and a mucus discharge, very bad smelling breath and just "not herself" really and of course has lost weight...not much, she was 12.2 kg and now 11.8.

She had a blood test yesterday morning and the vet rang to say could I take her back in and then said he'd like to keep her in as some of her levels had increased from 6 weeks ago when she had another blood test done and he thought she may have either a kidney infection or disease but wants to flush her kidneys through and do what else he needs to do....the levels weren't massively high on the scale but high enough to do something about it.

He spoke of chronic failure as opposed to acute...I do know the difference but wanted to know if she does indeed have failure what can I expect etc.

I'm not sure if it's serious or not to worry so much.

Thank you

Annee

The only experience I have had with a dog and kidney problems was with my last GR who was 14 years at the time. She also had DCM since she was 11/12 years and had been on a good drug regime since then and had managed really well often showing not much wrong with her. She began to start not eating well, drinking more and consequently, weeing lots, all classic signs of either kidney problems or diabetes, nothing wrong with her bowels at all. The vet diagnosed that she was going into kidney failure from her blood work and she had Fortekor (I think) added to her drug mix as although it is a drug for heart problems had shown signs of aiding kidneys. She had another six months of relative health until she suddenly went downhill, virtually stopped eating and drinking and became totally disinterested in life. We decided to call it a day, 14.5 years is good for a golden.

Hope the vet is able to help your girl.

My 14 year old GSP was diagnosed with Kidney failure and although he rallied for a few days after being rehydrated on drips, he quickly went down hill again. It was very clear to me that he had had enough. He wasn't eating, drinking sparingly and had lost control of his bladder. He had also started to 'zone out' - caused by a toxin overload (apparently). He was very depressed. Although my heart was breaking, I knew that the time had come to let him go. He was my once in a lifetime dog but I stupidly allowed the vet to guilt-trip me into trying to treat it. 20 days later (£380 poorer) my dog went down hill again rapidly and was given sleep. It was one of the worst days of my life and I will never forgive myself for not holding my ground with the vet and ending my boys suffering. If it is kidney failure then maybe tablets will help your girl. But if you feel it is not working - don't do what I did. Better to let them go one day to early than 20 days to late.

Thank you.

I spoke to the vet this morning who said that Ocean had eaten and was bright....she maybe able to come home today depending on what her repeat blood work shows.

He said that she does have failure but it really is in the very early stages so with diet etc it'd all help.

He will obviously continue to monitor her blood etc.

I'm quite optimistic that she'll do well.

Annee

I have lost two dogs to chronic kidney failure. If it's any comfort these were the passings i was more at peace with  ( very obvious signs making decision easier, knew what to watch for that meant end was near as in not keeping food down)  and took several years from diagnosis to passing so at 11 I would be hopeful your dog could well make a good age with the right care.... Might be worth looking into specific home cooking and alternative medicine as well.

My little terrier I lost spent her last day asleep peacefully in my arms until we said goodbye that evening,I was totally at peace with it compared to a lot of dogs I have lost and can think of many worse things than kidney disease so I hope that's is some comfort..... She was diagnosed at 11 and live until 16.

Bucksmum, Thank you.

I will certainly look into home cooking etc, the vet will give me some food for kidney failure.

I'm so pleased to read that you had many years with your dog from diagnosis, Ocean has what the vet called mild kidney failure as the blood levels are slightly high....as long as this is not a painful illness I'd be happy with that.

She does sleep an awful lot now so I'm hoping that with the right food, medication (if any) etc that she may become a little more lively.

Thank you once again.

Annee

> I knew that the time had come to let him go.

I lost one of my girls to acute kidney failure 18 months ago.  It was so sudden that I never had chance for extra time with her.  She was so depressed that it wasn't fair to mess about with drugs that wouldn't give her a great deal longer.  I still miss her so much.