Genetic Renal Disease

[Georgie'sMom]

I just returned from taking Georgie to our Vet. She doesn't want to eat or even drink much water in the last week or so. Wants to sleep all day instead of her playful self; I just felt that something was not right.
She is only 9 months old. She has lost some weight, is at 8 1/2 pounds. She has a dainty frame, but I just felt she was not thriving.
In the last week, as she would be lying on the couch sleeping, when she would wake up and there would be a puddle under her, as if it has let loose while she slept. She always goes out to pee, so this was concerning to me. I thought maybe a UTI.
Doc ran blood tests and called us back into the exam room and said that the numbers were really bad. I was in so much shock that I couldn't grasp the numbers but what should be a 1 was an 8, and there were three or four others that were bad like that. He said he has never had a puppy with numbers like that and he is going to check with some specialists in Columbus for consultation about what to do for her. He said that his suspicion is that she has the genetic factor that leads to the kidneys not developing and the prognosis, as she is so young, is not good. I am beyond devastated. She is so dear to us, especially after losing our male Sheltie last August.
Has anyone on here ever had this problem?

 

[corbinam]

I am so sorry to hear about Georgie. I don't have any experience with this, but I can only imagine how upsetting it is.

I wonder if Dr. Shelli could chime in with some information if you provided some specific numbers. She has a lot of experience with shelties and something might pop out to her.



You mentioned that you are in Ohio. I have just moved to Columbus with my shelties. If you ever need to talk or if Georgie is feeling better, we could get together.

I really hope that the vets and specialists can give you some answers and that Georgie is feeling better soon. Hang in there.

 

[Justicemom]

I am very sorry to hear about your little girl. Kidney disease is not unknown in shelties but we usually see it in older dogs.

Certain types of kidney disease can be seen in young dogs the most common is glumerlonephitis. Shelties are not the most common breed we see it in. Wheaten Terriers pop into my mind for this. I believe however, this maybe the type of kidney diease Dawn's Gypsy has. I think she was 3 yrs old when first diagnosed.

Sometimes you can see kidney failure due to trauma, toxins ,infection(lyme,ascending bladder infection) hypoxia event(low oxygen in the blood) or developmental(not genetic) and others. So you can't just jump to genetics.

I would let your breeder know what is going for sure and get a tick panel. urine culture, Urine protein creatatine ratio(UP/C) a Ultrasound and possible biopsy(if you want to go that route). More info you have the better the treatment plan can be.

Sending my best healing thoughts for Georgia.

 

[Georgie'sMom]

I was so upset that I didn't write down the numbers. Our Vet is going to consult with a vet at OSU and mentioned that she might need a biopsy. Our breeder brought her dogs in for shots a few hours after my appt. and found out about Georgie and called right away. She is sad with me and has never had this problem with any of her dogs. She is going to stop by tomorrow and see Georgie and me. Georgie's litter mate is very little for a sheltie, too.Georgie only weighs 8 1/2 pounds and even for a small sheltie, she should be gaining weight and strength instead of wanting to sleep 23 hours a day.
I'm just kind of on hold until we can find out more about what is happening with my sweet girl.
I appreciate the prayers and kind words-I know other people love their dogs, but there is just something so wonderful about our shelties.