Kidney disease… food?

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
Log in to reply
  • O

    Eggs are the highest quality protein, so I gave Spencer one hard-boiled organic egg a week, divided over 2-3 days. Crushed eggshells are a good source of calcium, and boiling eliminates any threat of salmonella. You can add about 1/4-1/2 tsp crushed eggshells to a meal, if desired. It balances the P. You can also use Epakitin as a phosphate binder. It's a powder that mixes into the food, and most dogs don't mind the taste. Not all dogs need the Epakitin, though.

    0
  • DebraDownSouthD

    When I fed raw (rotties/chows) I used lots of egg shells. :) I feel competent with raw for healthy dogs, just not for sick. I may check to see if my old book for Strombeck has updates or consider IT recommended by the wonderful Wendy. As long as she willingly is eating the hills science (with added boiled chicken), I'll stick with that while researching the other options.

    http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?A=2615

    Debra

    0
  • L

    @DebraDownSouth:

    A couple of people and vet tech friends said the new Hill Science kidney canned diet stew was universally loved so I ordered it for now. The vet says her protein loss is big, but the BUN and Creatinine are not horrible and her phosphorous is actually normal. I wondered if my always feeding high quality protein and limited grains has helped.

    I wonder also if you can use cyproheptadine on them for appetite? Right now she is fine, but I'll ask if it's okay. I already have her on generic pepcid just because of the steroids and the vet said keep her on it.

    Kim I wonder if you are thinking about aluminium hydroxide powder?

    On force feeding… I force fed Sayblee for over 6 mos before cyproheptadine was recommended. Fortunately she would swallow whatever I put in her mouth, didn't fight. Not sure if Arwen would be so compliant. But really, if I can't help control the nausea enough for her to eat... that may be the time to let her go.

    Interesting, we just found out one of ours, Tigger, has potential Kidney issues also. Very weak urine, constant drinking and urinating. Tests show some values out of wack and they want us to come back in a few weeks for follow up tests. The vet gave us some of that Science Diet stew stuff and he loves it (honestly, it looks like it could be a can of beef stew for human use to me). But, I also think the Science Diet food leaves something to be desired regarding ingredients, so we are going to start looking for other options as soon as we can. right now, we are dealing with the decline of his sister, Lion due to cancer, so hopefully we will be able to do some proper research on his food soon.

    Roo, Lion and Tigger

    0
  • DebraDownSouthD

    I am sorry you are dealing with so much. :( I hate the C word. Arwen is not so happy with the food now, appetite a bit off but she goes in for more blood work next friday. I have been making boiled chicken to add to her food but even that isn't much interest. She's eating one GOOD meal a day and picking at the other, so not panicking yet.

    Debra

    0
  • C

    The Basenji is a breed of hunting dog that was bred from stock originating in central Africa. Most of the major kennel clubs in the English-speaking world place the breed in the Hound Group; more specifically, it may be classified as belonging to the sighthound type.

    0
  • DebraDownSouthD

    Sad to report that we had to put Arwen down last Saturday. The speed of it is devastating. 6 weeks ago her levels were as good or better than in Feb except SLIGHT increase in protein. So we put her on protein binder (she actually liked it), thought all was well, then she injured her neck a bit. A few days of being in pain but then back to normal, suddenly Monday she didn't want much food so I gave in and let her have just boiled chicken and rice.

    By Wed, she didn't want that much either and had a bit of diarrhea… I'm still thinking change of food, nothing major. Thursday I knew it was not good, and my vet not available til Sat. That evening anal gland rupture and she seemed much better most of friday, her normal snarky self.

    Went to vets hoping it was something treatable, like mild pancreatitis or even just the anal gland, but I have to be honest, we both knew. Leora took off work to go with me and be there. The vet ran her blood work, said pancreas a bit elevated but her kidney levels skyrocketed, protein up to 16. She said even with keeping her and iv fluids, she doubted they could turn it around and as bad as it was, very little and limited time and not much quality. So we held her for a while, let her check out the garbage can and relax, then gave her a strong sedative. That didn't totally knock her out so they gave her gas and then put her down as we pet her once she was fully under.

    We have battled her autoimmune issues since she was 4, and my head knew that she was not going to be one of those 17 yr old basenjis, but I expected at least another year or 2. 12 1/2 isn't young, but it certainly is not long enough.

    Debra

    0
  • agilebasenjiA

    Oh i am so sorry Debra. it's never long enough and always such a blow when it's unexpected. even if it's unexpected because you're in denial (been there). and it's always hard when you have fought so hard to keep them here. kidney disease is such a nasty thing. so sorry.

    0
  • eeeefarmE

    I'm very sorry to hear this. You have my sympathies. Somehow you always think you have a few more months or weeks or days, and then you don't.

    "In order to get along with a Basenji, you have to be at least half as smart as the dog!"

    0
  • Buddys PalB
    First Basenji's

    Debra, so very sorry for your loss and the emotional heaviness that you and your family must feel. Arwen was a trooper and glad you were able to make this decision to keep her dignity and quality of life at it fullest until the end. Peace to you all! She'll be barooing over that bridge with all the others!

    0
  • DebraDownSouthD

    Thank you all.

    Debra

    0

Suggested Topics

  • GriffinsMomG

    Food Allergies Out of the Blue?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    5k Views
    D
    It might be a combination of food and seasonal allergies. The food/biscuits might be a slight problem but then added to the seasonal allergies, the allergies become major. Arnie has allergies and he rarely gets treats because of this and his kibble dog food is his treat. Does your dog also have a rash on his stomach area or the inner part of his rear legs? Arnie usually starts off with this and then if he is biting his feet I know the allergies are bad. He has not had this for a few years though! I would clean the area and this would help tremendously. Allergies are difficult to diagnose. The allergy season here in OH has been extended because of the crazy weather. If you have leaves on the ground that are/were wet, there could be mold, fungi, etc. on them and your dog is getting it on his paws. Jennifer
  • BellaJaneB

    Homemade food?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    2k Views
    ibi_n_saneI
    i have no recepies, i make my own dog food most of the time as well and it is quite easy: cooked rice or cooked noodles ( I prefer noodles as that has more energy for my dogs ) then you add raw beef , mince, chicken, liver, kidneys , lamb whatever kind of meat, or fish ! and if you wish you can also add some mashed veggies and/ or herbs. By the way I only give noodles in the winter when they can use a bit more energy / fat. otherwise I mainly feed them raw and also bones and fresh tripe etc. But I guess that is not what you meant ;)
  • nomrbddgsN

    Raw food continued

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    3k Views
    nomrbddgsN
    I did buy a grinder-kind of in between a commercial and home use one. It will grind bones. When Zina was on the basic raw, she was on chicken and bone. But there were no organs in it. She was on it for about a month-supposedly to rid her body of toxins. Like I said she did fine at first, but when I started on the mixtures, that's when it went to pot. I wonder if I start her on one thing with organs and bones, maybe beef? if she would still have a reaction. What do you guys think about this. If she is allergic to chicken, and I'm still unsure about this (I wonder if she's sensitive to it), is she also allergic to other fowl?? The think I worry about is that if I do put her on one type of meat, will she get all her nutritional value? Freezer space isn't a problem, I can always pick up a second hand one fairly cheap, but I do have a 27' one and two small house freezers. Also, don't forget, this is a boxer. I haven't heard of a case of Fanconi in a boxer myself. If you are on a higher protein diet, your creatinine levels tend to be higher as well. I believe, this is why when you are on the Atkins diet, you still have to watch your intake. And Zina will not live another 5 years, most likely. What I have to do is make her life comfortable now. If she's happy for 3 more years and then I have to put her down, so be it. At least she was happy in the time she spent on this side of the Rainbow Bridge. It's better than the miserable first 7 months she spent. And this was not a breeder problem. The pet people who had her did not listen to the breeder, caused the issue to explode, literally, and the replacement puppy died at 2 1/2 of issues as well. I can get the meat fairly cheap, as I do have the grinder and the butchers will sell cheaper if they don't have to do anything to the meat. I also have the space, if this does work, to grow some of my own food for them. If I have to go to pork, because she's allergic to chicken, then in 6 months, I can have enough food for a long time. But I want to make sure of what I am doing first. She deserves to be happy.
  • DarrenD

    Retching food

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    4k Views
    nala121498N
    The poor baby! ((Hugs)) to you both. I will keep Cairo in my thoughts and prayers that an alternative treatment or solution can be found.
  • tanzaT

    Dry Dog Foods

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    2
    0 Votes
    2 Posts
    2k Views
    S
    I use the Life Abudance and alternate between Paula Newmans. My dogs love it. Their coats look great. I totally support both of those dog foods.
  • PongoGirlP

    Cushings Disease :(

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    8k Views
    tanzaT
    @MaxBooBooBear: Yes–I was trained how to do it--and did do it at home a couple of times, but it was really a struggle for me. Both my dogs reacted very, very poorly to the procedure--and it really took two people to do it comfortably. Since I live alone, it was best for me to go have it done at my vets who is only about 5 minutes from me. They also got a special contraption for the bag of fluids that expressed the fluid out so it went much more quickly. But I know many people who are able to do it at home because their dogs or cats are more tolerant than mine were. It's much cheaper that way :) One of the best ways is to have a grooming table that comes complete with a "noose"…. It supports the head and keeps them standing.... you can fairly easily hang the IV bag off the same support.... while I agree the first couple of times it helps to have two, one to hold the dog, one to "stick" the needle in.... but once you get the hang of it.. it usually works.... But whatever works... and that is great that you could just run down to your Vet...