Kidney disease… food?

[DebraDownSouth]

Thank you. Everyone. I don't think the owners of most breeds have such unique dogs with unique issues. It is comforting to have people here who have been through it (whatever IT is… from destructiveness to health issues to chewing through leases!).

[Buddys Pal]

Debra,
So sorry to hear about Arwen. It is always so hard on us 'mommies' to witness the decline in any health issue. I only dealt with the symptoms of crystals in Hershey towards the end of his time with me. I did so much research online and spoke to many DVM about the causes and consequences. The sturvite crystals were pretty much indicative of 'something going on in his system'. (that Vet didn't tell me for sure that it was his system breaking down) It was literally just old age 12.9yrs. For his food, I ended up starting with the RX Science Diet u/d, read the ingredients and flinched!!! really, why was I spending $ for corn??? Long story short-went to raw feeding (not for everyone, just got tired of recalls etc) and Hershey had a great last three months of life, actually acted like a puppy playing with Candi etc-good quality right up to the point where he did not eat for the one day, went into a disorienting stage, restlessness, and whining in a 24hr period-of course this was New Years Eve!. He gave me 'The Look' that everyone said happens, so I made the decision to have a Vet/friend come over that night. What I am saying is to be open minded as much as possible for HER needs. She probably has years left under your care, but if the port is something that is going to stress her and you, then really, her immune system will break down due to stress over a course of time. Just give her the best you can, for her and what is comfortable for you. I am sure your best is above and beyond most dog owners for sure!

[Chealsie508]

Just saw your post and I'm sorry to hear about Arwen. Sometimes it is hard to grasp that a dog whose already gotten the "short end" of the health stick could have something else Pop up like this. Luckily you have good vet staff and this isn't your first rodeo, she has had a good, long life and it sounds like things could've been worse with the blood results so I am keeping my fingers crossed that you both have enjoyable times ahead. Keep us posted!

[DebraDownSouth]

@Buddys:

but if the port is something that is going to stress her and you, then really, her immune system will break down due to stress over a course of time. Just give her the best you can, for her and what is comfortable for you. I am sure your best is above and beyond most dog owners for sure!

Actually I think you misunderstood. The port is to help UNSTRESS it. Being stuck daily or 2x daily stressed Sayblee, screaming, fighting even with numbing spay and ointment. If they sew in a port, you don't have to stick, just protect the port with a onesie or something and put liquids into it. When the time comes, we'll try the smaller needles, but if that stresses her how I think it will, I'll just have the vet sew in a port and use that. Thank you for your concern. My head knows that at 12 1/2, she is a senior, but I'd hoped for 15 or more healthy years.

[Buddys Pal]

I hear ya, we want them with us for as long as possible!!! Thanks for the info, I may need to understand a port one day…..I just thought of a port being a strange appendage (for a dog) like I was used to when I was a tech in the nursing industry....

[DebraDownSouth]

The port is pretty much the same for dogs and humans. Here is a pretty fancy one for IV fluids:
http://www.norfolkvetproducts.com/companionport.html

But for subq fluids, I guess the actual term is subcutaneous catheter.
http://www.practivet.com/DetailGIF.aspx

This one allows several accesses:
http://www.dechra.eu/Critical-Care-Tips/Endo–Sof-Subcutaneous-Catheter-Set.aspx

[ownedbyspencer]

I'm so sorry to hear this about Arwen. Kidney disease is scary, and it's an effort to manage , but you get into a routine quicker than you'd think. I started out supplementing Spencer's dry food with home-cooked, since he hated all the store-bought kidney diet food (including the stew) and would only eat it doctored up. I soon found that it was just as easy to home-cook everything. I experimented with all sorts of combinations, always including a primary protein source like lean chicken, turkey or a scrambled/boiled egg, mixed with rice, veggies and an omega-3 gel cap. I avoided corn, but Spencer loved most other veggies– green beans, broccoli, spinach, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, carrots and squashes.

I know that a lot of people use recipes, but I knew what he could have and what he liked, so I just planned my own meals accordingly and gave him a blander portion of what I had. I fixed a lot of stir fries and steamed veggies and grilled a lot. I've never eaten healthier than those last few years with him. His quality of life was good and his kidney values, though elevated, stayed within his "normal" range until almost the end. Hopefully, Arwen responds well to her new diet and has good, happy years ahead!

[DebraDownSouth]

That is very encouraging. I have been boiling chicken to add to her food and she approves so far of it and the KD stew and kibble mix. I worry about eggs though as they are really high in sodium (I am on low sodium diet so sadly aware as I sit here eating a cup of egg white scrambled on a low carb tortilla– it's significant portion of my allotted sodium)... so I'll be researching diets if I have to move to totally home cooked.

[agilebasenji]

have you joined the yahoo kidney list? Seems like egg whites were good, but the yolks had lots of phos, so those should be limited. And of course you'll need to add in Calcium to balance the phos.

[ownedbyspencer]

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.

[DebraDownSouth]

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

[LeeL]

@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.

[DebraDownSouth]

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.

[curt12345]

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.

[DebraDownSouth]

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.

[agilebasenji]

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.

[eeeefarm]

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.

[Buddys Pal]

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!

[DebraDownSouth]

Thank you all.