We got Doofus (Boxer/Mastiff cross) 4 weeks ago (via Boxer Rescue) and he's had quite a journey (this is his 3rd "forever" home, as well as 2 foster homes in his 5 and a half years).

He's had diarrhoea on and off for 2 weeks but it got much worse from Thurs. We took him to our local pet hospital as it was "out of hours" and they did blood tests and as they test them in house we had results within 15 mins. The vet said it looked like to was kidney disease and that they wanted to keep him in and put him on a drip. Whilst he was there they did ultrasound and confirmed Chronic Kidney Disease. We're waiting for urine tests to comfirm the extent of the damage.

We need to put him on diet (suggestion Hills K/D or Royal Canin Renal) but as its a holiday weekend I can't get hold of any anywhere as it seems its only internet order only. If anyone can give me suggestions on what to feed him in meantime or any info about their experiences I'd be very greatfull. The vet said to us we are looking at months not years in his lifespan. Its such a shame as he's a lovely, kind dog. Life is so unfair :-(

We decided to get an older dog for company for our 7 year old who lost her Boxer brother in december to dilated cardiomypaythy ... the heartbreak starts again ...

Thank you in advance x

cant help with food,im sorry,but could you ring your vet to ask, they might have an emergency line open over the hols?poor doofus,someone who really cares at last,and now this.im so sorry for both of you,lets hope things go better than you have been told.

So sorry to hear your sad news :(

The vets should have been able to supply this food to you in the interim
whilst you could order from the cheaper on line stockists.

There are home made diets that could help get you through these few days until
you get the complete diets.

http://www.vetprof.com/clientinfo/KidneyDiseaseInDogs/diet.htm
Scroll down for the home made diets.

Hugs

Oh how horrible :(

Most vets will stock these prescription diets. My experience is that they are extremely low palatability and my dog in renal failure completely refused to eat them. I didnt want to go down the path of having a battle each mealtime to get him to eat.

I spoke to the Burns Nutrition line and, whilst they do say that a prescription diet is the best option, they suggested their Fish and Brown rice as an alternative. It's low in phosphorous and salt which is really key in terms of kidney function. In addition, because you feed a reduced amount (because of it's high digestibility) this further reduces the daily intake.

He was diagnosed three years ago. His blood results have improved remarkably from the first testing. The only change was the Burns Fish and Brown rice and EPA fish oils.

Good luck with Doofus :)

Thank you - I have a sample bag of the Burns Fish and Brown rice - I will try him with it. I have a feeling he won't eat the prescription diet food as we've had a job to feed him since he came to us - he won't eat the Burns chicken and rice (which is what he's always been on).

I cooked a chicken today for him and made white rice. He picked the chicken out of the rice!

Does anyone know if I could simply cook him homemade meals (as suggested on the website on previous post) instead of the prescription diet as I have a feeling I'm going to be left with the special food.

Trouble with prescription diets is that the kidneys are fine, but the dog dies.  You can give a much longer life to the dog if you follow a low phosphorus diet - as it's the phosphorus that causes the kidney problems (used to be thought protein).  High fat meat tend to be low phosphorus, so chicken legs (include skin) and breast of lamb are good.  Check on line for low phosphorus food - there are ordinary foods which are low in phosphorus and you'll be fine.  Feed vit B and E.  with meat feed calcium minus vit D - so crushed eggshell or tums (upset tummy tablets) which are pure calcium. Don't feed vit D at all as it helps dog to absorb nutrients (ie phosphorus).  Fish oil (not fish liver) is also excellent - don't feed cod liver oil at all.  I would feed calcium with main meal and vitamins and fish oil with lesser feed as obviously the calcium will stop the vitamins being absorbed.  My older shep survived 18 months of kidney failure on this diet (and I had to exclude rice as she was allergic) when the vet said a couple of months max (she was nearly 14 when I lost her).  Good luck

Just an update on Doofus - we saw the vet 2 weeks ago and he confirmed the worst - his kidneys are really bad. We brought him home as he seemed happy enough - wagging his tail and wanting cuddles. Since then he's started to eat again and the terrible diarrhoea has stopped. He's really doing well - really didn't think we'd still have him here today. Still taking everyday as it comes and hope he continues to be happy.

Have a look at this site
http://www.dogaware.com/health/kidney.html

I had a dog in renal failure who was given 2 weeks to live. I created a diet for her by using info from this site, together with a little of the KD dry diet. It was fiddly, and I had to buy scales to weigh everything, but I had 8 good months with her. As prev poster said, phos and calcium levels are vital, and I used to crush eggshells for calcium, but you can use Tums. This site contains all this information. She had reg blood tests to check her values which we got back into reasonable ranges, and it was only right at the end of that 8 months that she was really unwell and I could no longer make a difference.

Hope this helps

Sadly our adored Doofus left for the Bridge last week, he brought a ray of sunshine into our lives but was cruely snatched away from us. RIP sweetheart xx

Sorry for your loss.

So sorry to hear that. It's not fair at all but you made his last few weeks the best that they could be.
Rest easy Doofus. x

So sorry for your loss.  Take some solice from the fact that the few weeks he was with you were probably the happiest of his life, so much better (for him) to pass knowing he was truly loved.  ((hugs))
Mel

So sorry to hear the sad news of your loss of Doofus.