Hi, I had a chem screen done on my dogs, one of them needs to go back and get another one, the vet said in three weeks, which is 2 weeks now. Last friday there were some things on her chem screen that the vet said could indicate a kidney problem. When she was a little baby she had a bladder infection.

I was wondering if someone can tell me if these other things could indicate a kidney problem:

Sometimes she pees in her sleep
Sometimes she pees in her kennel (these 2 things happen very randomly, I am sure she is potty trained)
Her pee smells funny (hard to explain, but not a normal 'pee' smell)
She drinks a TON of water

Today when I came home for lunch, she had peed in her kennel. When I let her out, she drank a LOAD of water. Then going outside, she peed right at the door.

Just wondering if these are signs, or if anyone has had a puppy with a kidney problem. I don't want to bother my vet because I ask a lot of dumb questions every time I take my dogs in. He says it's probably nothing serious, but I don't know what else it could be...

Thank you.

Hiya
There are lots of different signs of kidney trouble. Yes, excessive drinking is one of them...but in this heat, it is very hard to tell if that is due to a problem, or just plain over heating.
With regards to peeing in her kennel. Is she shut in? When you are at work I mean. Because if this is the case, then I would say it is just because she needed to go.
Sorry, you didnt mention how old she is.
To be honest, I wouldnt be overly concerned just yet. The heat does lots of strange things to dogs and all in different ways.
Peeing in her sleep....Often this is caused by having too little of the chemical that signals the body to hold the urine in. This can happen at any age but classically it is an older, female, spayed dog.
If she is unaware of doing it in her sleep, then she wont necessarily give you signs that she needs to go for a pee because she is not aware herself.
Kidney problems are a possibility but if the vet feels concerned, I am certain he will give the best treatment possible.
Also, dont feel embarrassed about "bothering" the vet with questions. For the amount they charge, I dont think they can argue with giving you some advice.

Just a thought, macdoggy - does her wee smell of 'peardrops' (a boiled sweet) or acetone (like nail-polish remover?

If it does, it's worth testing her for diabetes.
:)

Doh...you got there first. I was gonna add that :)

Well, she is 8 months old, but she has always weed in her sleep, although it's infrequent, probably once or twice a month (?) - I never thought much of it, thought she was just a deep sleeper. When she wees in her kennel, it seems strange, I can understand if she goes, but she does go before I leave for work... Although now that I think about it I haven't been restricting her water since I found out she could have a kidney prob (I used to not let her drink 1/2 hour before I left)...

Her wee smells strange, not as strong as acetone though. I can't describe it, it's strong, but doesn't have any chemical smell.

Anyway, I am wondering if I should get her insurance? I have never had pet insurance before - do they try to get out of paying or are they good about it? If I get the insurance, I need to do it today because it takes 14 days to kick in ...

I would suggest insurance, but you may find it hard to claim for this problem because insurance companies dont let you claim for a problem which was noticed before you insured...if you know what i mean. Basically, the fact that your dog has had treatment/blood tests etc would indicate to the insurance company that this is a problem which started before you took out the insurance, so they would not cover the costs you have already spent, and it would be highly doubtfull that they would cover any kidney related illness or anything to do with this problem because of this reason. Pet insurance is all a bit of a farce, but it can save you money....when they want to pay it out :)
They generally dont cover dentals etc which is really crap because they see it as asthetic and not "necessary" which any good vet or owner would know it IS necessary.
Anyway....lot of writing for just one point. lol
steph
x

On the subject of Kidney problems I have a heart breaking story:
My friend went to see a German Shepherd litter on Thursday. The pup she picked was the smalles at 10 weeks old but he was the most affectionate. Teh parent were VERY large GSD and most of the other pups were VERY large for 10 weeks. I would say the parents were WELL over breed average, but on the sires side ther were many show chamnpions so some "Breed standard" sizes in there. We assumed the smaller pup maybe followed an ancester and carried the smaller size gene - you know what I mean.
When she got back with him I helped her bath him _ They really smelt but there was 8 of them all together.
Whilst bathing him I noticed a large hard lump on his neck which I was unable to wobble about.
She phoned the breeder who said she had not noticed it :-(
Any way on Friday morning I took him to the vet for her. The lady vet thought there would be alot of cost involved in the investigative tests and as he was only just bought he should be taken back to his breeder etc.
My friend had already fell in love with him. His name was Harvey. GSD are not my breed but I too had fell for his loving ways. So she went for a second opinion on Friday evening. The vet recommended a series of tests for the lump and the fact that since getting him home he had hardly eaten but was drinking dishfuls of water. She went home from the vets knowing the tests would come to about £180.00 so needed to decide whether she would get them done or the breeder. She could not face letting Harvey go so made the decision to take him this morning for the tests. The vet had mentioned a number of conditions it could be. Some would not cause a problem but others could be serios. He was meant to have blood tests and X-rays.
The vet called her to say the blood tests alone had shown the kidneys were failing and were do bad there was no hope.
I went with her to sign the consent form and stayed with her whilst this little loving puppy was put to sleep - we were both crying our eyes out.
It just seems so cruel when such a little life is lost.
My friend is devestated - her 9 year old son thinks the pup has gone back to his mom to get better.
She does want another GSD but at the moment is grieving for Harvey.

Sorry about Harvey :( - Did the vet tell you if his size had to do with his kidney problem? My dog is small too, she was the runt of her litter but I chose her out of 9 cause she just loves people, but she is still about 1/2 the size of other dogs her age... Maybe another male slipped in and she is mixed? I hope size has nothing to do with kidneys.

The vet had said that the kidney problem probably was the reason for him being so small as he felt that Harvey was born with this condition.
Dont worry though about your pup, see what the vet has to say as all pups different.
I had a litter of 4 staffie pups before. 3 weighed 12 oz born and one only 5 and a half oz. I had put the tiny one aside as I really thought he would not make it and was going to take him to the vet. I then thought to give him a chance. He was never off the teat! Now 18 months on and he is the biggest of them all!!!!