Renal failure indogs

[Kathleen]

 I am sitting here in stunned disbelief. I took my dog to the VET yesterday for his HEARTWORM meds. The Vet just called me to tell me that my 11 year old Whippet is in RENAL FAILURE.   He gives him at the most 6 months to live.   I have been so concerned about my cat's diet that I have not given any thought to my dog.  Now I have to start that investigation from scratch. Can someone direct me to a good website. Right now I have not got the wherewithall to search myself.  The Vet wants him on Medi-cal--with what I know about cats and Medi- cal I am unsure.

                      Kathleen

[Cindy Nevarez]

Oh Kathleen, I'm so sorry that this is happening to you and your dog! Is it ARF or CRF? If it's ARF then it's something your dog ate recently that caused this.

[mgt818]

Kathleen I am so sorry to hear about your baby Whippet!!  I know you mentioned speaking to the vet on another post yesterday... Is your baby ill or showing symptoms of renal failure?  

[willyagogo]

Kathleen......

I'm so sorry to hear about your sweet dog....

I've seen from some of your other posts that you are in Toronto...so am I. I wonder if we go to the same Vet...you never know! I remember awhile back....I went to the Vet (last year....my dog was sick..pretty sure it was the Medi-Cal).

Anyways....accross from my Vet, there is a HUGE park.....and I remember someone with a Whippet one time. I don't think that I've seen another Whippet since then.....but I do remember this.....a really beautiful face with huge brown eyes...and I remember saying to the owner what a strikingly beautiful dog!

If you would like to send me a PM....it would be interesting to know if we go to the same Vet....as far as the MediCal goes.....I've never used it since! My dog was vomitting so bad and was literally bleeding out his bum....it looked like bloody water! I was so scared...as my dog has VWD...I thought for sure I'd lose him....and by the grace of god (or something!)...he survived!

PM me....it would be interesting to chat with someone else from "the Big Smoke!"

Best wishes to you and some hugs to your friend......

[Kathleen]

Thanks for your support. I am still in shock. I took the dog in for his HEARTWORM and of course they did blood work. The dog looks great. I never for an instant thought there was anything wrong with him.  I came home with EUKANUBA Early Stage Kidney Diet.It is Chronic ----I asked the VET if he thought it was food related, he said NO, but still I wonder. Does anyone know if there is a site for cooking your own food for dogs with this problem?
                         
                    Kathleen

[mgt818]

I found this link earlier today.  I use the kidney rejuvinator for my dogs...  there is a recipe at the bottom.. you can call them too and speak to someone.

http://wolfcreekranch1.tripod.com/pet_food_recall_protocol.html

[mgt818]

Have you noticed your pup drinking or urinating more than usual?  Have you noticed the color of his urine?  I feel so bad for you and your puppy!!  I have been thinking about you guys all day since I read your message!

[mgt818]

this is a link I found...

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=572

[Cindy Nevarez]

Thanks. This is good to have on hand for those of us who haven't personally experienced this yet.

[Mary K]

What a great, user friendly article. Thank you!

[bixlo]

Thanks for your support. I am still in shock. I took the dog in for his HEARTWORM and of course they did blood work. The dog looks great. I never for an instant thought there was anything wrong with him.  I came home with EUKANUBA Early Stage Kidney Diet.It is Chronic ----I asked the VET if he thought it was food related, he said NO, but still I wonder. Does anyone know if there is a site for cooking your own food for dogs with this problem?
                         
                    Kathleen

Kathleen,

I would purchase Dr. Pitcairn's book (Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats) there is a recipe (and info) on Kidney Diet for Dogs.  That is what I have been using for my 12 year old Vizsla and I must say I feel it's the best choice.  He is well hydrated, he is playful now and is really almost back to his old self (if it wasn't for the additional problem of him having Cushing's). 

The only other option was Purina Rx diet for Kidney and with BHT and corn on the ingredient panel I decided to cook my own food.  He weighs 55 lbs so this is a huge task for that reason and also i'm a vegetarian so cooking beef has been quite the experience! haha But I would do anything for my dog so I have learned to deal with it quite easily, actually.  Handling 2lbs of ground up beef at each cooking session has become routine.

Definitely cook for your dog.  Get the book.