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Options for older dog with probable kidney failure?
Okay, first of all, I am discussing my options with the vet, but I'm waiting for them to look into some tests, so I thought I'd ask about other people's experiences.
My dog is a larger breed, and she is going on 9 years old. The only thing that gets her moving is her daily (slow) walk and her treats. For her treats, she will still prance and leap into the air, though since she almost fell down the stairs twice recently, I haven't been letting her do that as much. She only eats her kibble if we put canned food in it. The current kibble is the only kind we've found that agrees with her stomach.
Last year, she was having incontinence issues, so we took her in and thought it might be a UTI. Well, her incontinence cleared up, but the vet wanted to run some more tests on her kidney function. The results were inconclusive. We tried medication. No effect. The vet pushed for a prescription kidney diet, and said that was about the only option left, but no other snacks or treats. I brought up her food issues, and I was brushed aside. She'll eat it, they said, most dogs like it fine.
Most dogs are not my picky old lady. Her main joy in life is her food, and I don't want to take that away from her. I've also done some research on my own and am not convinced these kidney diets really help. We switched vets, and we're back where we started.
Bascially: She's getting old, sweet but not very active, and has lost a lot of weight in the past month. She has started drinking tons of water. She's not much of a fighter, so I just don't feel right putting her through tough treatments, but at the same time, I am afraid of not doing what's best for her.
Has your dog gone through this? If this is kidney failure, how much longer does she have? Will things get really bad? What treatment did you do, and were you happy with the results?
6 Answers
- Anonymous1 decade agoFavorite Answer
I'd say leave her as long as she still seems to be comfortable, happy and enjoying life. If you are paying attention, she will let you know when she's had enough.
It's hard, I know, but I don't think it's fair to put them through all kinds of tests when they are already quite old, and they aren't guaranteed.
We had a 10 year old Shih Tzu cross we had to put down last summer because of his kidneys. He was still fairly normal up until the last month.
- ♥ SJC ♥Lv 71 decade ago
I've not had a dog w/kidney failure, but I had a cat who did. She ate Hill's K/D only & lived for about 2 years; longer than expected. I was happy with that! Several days after she got real bad (not eating & kidneys totally quit) I had her "put down."
Hill's makes canned K/D.
- Kate CLv 61 decade ago
I know its going to sound odd to you, but you may want to put her on a high protein diet. Dogs need protein and fat. Their bodies thrive on it and supposedly it is the carbs that cause the strain.
I would go to a canine nutritionist for a kidney diet:
www.dogfoodguru.com is the person I would go to if my dog was diagnosed with kidney disease. She feeds her dogs and cats raw prey model and I know many that have great experiences with her services.
Source(s): Guardian of three raw fed dogs - How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer.
- thorpLv 44 years ago
probable the worst time in an proprietors existence is understanding in basic terms while to enable your terrific buddy flow. you already know your canine extra effective than all of us, you could choose her high quality of existence. If I have been you i may be guided with the help of my vet,ask them how lots the treatments are affecting her and is she in soreness. you will understand while the time is sweet to enable her flow, look in her eyes. in basic terms study relatively some the different responses,cant have self assurance how people could be so boastful to pre-choose a individual on why their canine isnt speyed. This canine is 13years previous, she has had an entire and satisfied existence and the owner is dealing with the toughest determination ever... have somewhat heart!
