Kidney Failure in Dogs

[wildhorseluvr]

My little red heeler was diagnosed with stage 2 kidney failure yesterday. She had a quick turnaround and was eating again last night and acting much like her usual self today. The vet (emergency vet, not my usual) said she would estimate perhaps a year of life remaining. Apparently it varies with each individual, she might make it a little longer than that but her kidneys could also shut down in as little as 3 wks to 3 months.   The dog is about 11, and would otherwise have a few more years left (this is the first time she's ever been sick). I'm hoping to keep her around as long as possible. 

The vet gave her meds to calm her gut down ( she had been vomiting) but said she didn't need any other meds at this time. She " must" be on a prescription diet so I bought a bag of kibble and also some canned. Dog was not impressed, and this is a dog who will literally eat anything edible including uncooked rice or dry flour. I checked the label...CORN, Brewers rice, dried egg product, animal fat, sugar, etc. 
I spent much of the night online researching diets. This low protein garbage is the accepted diet for kidney function. A few vets are very opposed to this, they maintain that these low quality proteins further stress the kidneys, and also that by the time dogs reach stage 3 or 4 they are dying from malnutrition. They recommend moderate high quality proteins that are easy to digest. The diet also has to have complex carbs, be low in unnecessary fillers, low phosphorus, low salt, low in purines, and high in Omega 3 fatty acids. Canned/wet food was also recommended over kibble, to help avoid dehydration. I couldn't find any commercial food that seems suitable. I'm willing to make homemade but not without knowing what I'm doing.

I'm going to try to see my own vet this week and get her opinion, but I'm wondering if anyone here has dealt with this already, and what worked or didn't work for them. There has to be a better solution.

[gracielagata]

I will second researching the homemade diet. When my cat was diagnosed as CRF, the vet gave me copies of valid CRF recipes, ones that were deemed 'safe' for her. Definitely ask your vet for some, and do some online research, even find an online group to join. There is a huge one for cats, I am sure there is something for dogs.

And oh so true on hydration- ask about teaching yourself to admin sub'Qs at home and then do it if you can. Give flavored water like suggested. With a dog I imagine that will be easier, since they aren't quite as picky.
The vet diets are crap (And I don't use that word, so it is strong for me lol). I did feed it because it was easier, but then she got to the point she thought I was trying to kill her with it, so I just said what the hay- she was at that point 21, 22? Had been diagnosed for 3 or 4 years, I figure she can eat what she wants and be happy eating something, rather than wasting away.

Another thing- do dogs get thyroid issues as well as a side effect? My girl, she went hyper I think, as her body's way of fixing the kidney failure. We left it be for several years, as that helped regulate her kidney function. Once it got really bad that she was going bad, we started her on an external cream application thing compounded just for cats. It was a mega pain and caused chronic vomiting and diarrhea, and obviously lessened her desire to eat, so not sure I would go that route again.
In the end, she lived some 5-6 years after diagnosis, I think it was, until we had to put her down at 22 years of age due to essentially going toxic, which caused her system to shut down quickly. 5-6 years as a CRF cat is supposed to be pretty darn good, as when they are diagnosed, there is never more than some 25% function left I think it is.

Sorry your baby has it , but definitely talk with your vet extensively.

[aoconnor]

I'm afraid I have no information on Kidney failure in dogs. I can, however, tell you that I have never met a vet that knew squat about nutrition!! Sadly, most small animal vets get a commission for selling certain food products without knowing anything really about the food. I have researched the heck out of all different kinds of feed for my horses and dogs, and can honestly say that I would NEVER feed the garbage the vets sell!!! You can do a lot better than that by making it yourself. I wish you the best for your baby, I know how hard it is when they get ill. I just lost my absolutely beloved German Shepard girl on Saturday. It was unexpected, even though she was of a ripe old age. She actually must have slipped on our tile floor and really damaged her spine...she couldn't get up Saturday morning when I went out to the living room where my dogs sleep, and she ALWAY got up when I came out f my bedroom. I knew very quickly that she was in a lot of pain, and I made the hard phone call to my vet who came to my house that afternoon and put her down for me. She was already having a bad problem with her hips, but I had a few months left with her...or so I thought. I am heartbroken...

[wildhorseluvr]

Thank you, everyone. I appreciate all the suggestions.

gracielagata , I'm encouraged by your experience. I realize every animal is different, but it just goes to show some can live longer than expected, and have a decent quality of life as well.

I agree totally with your description of the food. My dog is a garbage gut, I have never had her turn any food down...ever...but she has already refused to touch the kibble. I got her to eat some of the canned food, and she is trying to get to the other dogs' kibble, so I know it is the disgusting prescribed food and not lack of appetite. 

The tests showed that her thyroid is ok at this time, I will make sure they keep an eye on that. In fact, she didn't seem to have any other issues other than being just slightly anemic, which the vet said is due to the kidney failure. I will ask my own vet about that.

@redfish , I've given Sub-Q fluids before so can do that as needed. So far she seems to be drinking normally, and homemade food should have far more moisture than feeding dry food. Adding (homemade) broth to her food is a good idea. 

aoconnor , I agree that some vets really push some expensive but poor quality foods. I would never purchase food from a vet, except they insisted she HAD to be on a prescription food. I've also had some go-rounds with previous vets regarding nutrition. I'm certainly no expert on nutrition, but if common sense tells you a food is junk, why would a vet not realize this? 

I am so sorry to hear you recently lost your German Shepherd. I have a 14+ yr old Shepherd who is at the same point. I am nursing him along but he is slowly going downhill, and occasionally takes a fall. He's fallen several times lately and I'm afraid he will really injure himself soon. Just taking it one day at a time and hoping to get him through one last summer. 

Thanks for all the thoughts, I'm hoping to talk to my vet tomorrow. She's a newer vet for me so I don't know how she feels about homemade diets, we'll see. She's been good so far about some alternative ideas I've had, and has come up with some different ideas of her own. Hopefully she will be of some help, but my little Heeler is starting a homemade diet tomorrow whether the vet approves or not.  

[veronica]

The kidney diets have to limit phosphorus so they balance the meat with corn, etc. They do that but the ingredients don't sound as good. Some of the Honest kitchen dog foods have lower phosphorus and higher calories which might help. I would not go with one of the base mixes where you add your own meat as then you wouldn't know the nutrient levels which are important in your case. I used them for one of my dogs who was had a fatal disease and it really helped to keep her weight up. I also used it with my kitty when she was in her final stages of kidney disease and hyperthyroidism and was refusing the kidney food. Honest Kitchen s customer service is great, and you can get enough info to show your vet before starting another food.

[Maura]

Fresh parsley. Let soak in hot water, toss the greens, give the tea to the dog. You can freeze it in ice cubes and serve it that way, also.

[hobbitlady]

My cat was diagnosed to die from kidney failure 2 years ago. Was given 2 weeks to 2 months to live(even if I spent money for subQ and special food,etc).

My vet told me to go ahead and give him Anything wet he liked to eat(since he was going to die anyway). I began making him All kinds of broth(every time I cooked meat) I try drippings and cheap cat food in lots of water (he only chooses some and I never know which kind he'll suddenly like again) and he's especially loved boiled chicken livers smashed into thin soup or human tuna-in-water juice. I went online and got a supplement powder to put in his broth and either it's done Wonders or the modern vet was with all his tests and new equipment was Totally wrong. It's called AventiKS (kidney support) and there may be a dog version. If a pet is dying I'll try any alternatives (I use alternatives to medicine myself)and Something has kept my cat alive with no subQ (my particular cat would NOT tolerate that,at all, and would both Hate me and rather die!) and no special diet. Of course keep your dog hydrated with subQ if you can...as was said "dogs are easier".
But I too just wanted you to know my cat is almost 18 and was diagnosed at 16. He's thin but active---for a real old guy--- and has never lost his personality or moped and gotten weak again, so far.