Kidney Issues

No experience or advice just letting you know that we are thinking of you and keeping you and Miko in our prayers.
 
I'm sorry to hear about Miko's diagnosis and test results, but don't give up hope. Dr. Shelli has given you some great information. As for experience, I can't recall how old Miko is, but my first Sheltie, Scruffy, was diagnosed with kidney disease at age 5 when her numbers were very high. She had no other issues at the time. We put her on the Hills' crap (that was all there was at the time) and she ate it for 5 years. Gradually and slowly, her numbers improved, and by age 10 I put her on regular food again. She lived until age 13 when cancer took her.

Since then, I know there have been strides in kidney meds and foods (the Purina is a good alternative). Hang in there. It's a great sign that Miko is acting normal. Better to find out early and treat it than later. You're on top of this and I'll bet treatment will help. Good luck and pats to Miko!
 
I also am a big believer in this product. It is designed to reduce the azotemia or high BUN and Crea levels.
http://www.vetoquinolusa.com/CoreProducts/CardioNephrologyRenal/Azodyl.html
I use this with all my renal patients. I am not sure if this is the supplement your vet is recommending or not but your post suggested it was possibly Epakitin which I have also used. That product lowers blood phosphorous and I start that at the first sign of elevated P+. If the phophorous is normal it could be held off on as long as you get them on a low phoohorous diet like MP or K/D.
http://www.vetoquinolusa.com/CoreProducts/CardioNephrologyRenal/Epakitin.html

Be aware of any signs of them getting sick-vomiting, drop in appetite, lethergy and dehydration. These could be signs of stomach ulcers or uremia(toxic buildup of waste products-BUN and Crea in the blood). This disease responses best if one is proactive and acts at the first sign of trouble.


Phosphorus level is at 5.2
Potassium is at 5.3

After we see how he's doing on this new diet, I'll ask about the Purina or Royal Canin. I think both have corn as their first ingredient, so I'm a bit wary. Cuz then I'd have to supp more stuff to keep Miko's allergies at bay.

For these tests, does it matter if it was a fasting or not? And OMG, I just looked at the lab results for "breed" it says "Belgian Sheepdog", um, don't think so. lol.

And lastly, Miko vomits every so often. By that, I mean less than once a month. Usually it's after he's eaten, but not always. He tried to vomit the other day, but nothing came up, or it wasn't food (didn't see anything come out). But he's also been like this since he was a puppy. He's always had these throwing up issues. As in, maybe ate too fast, drank too much water after he ate, etc.

How do you check for ulcers? U/S? Maybe I can just do an u/s on him. ugh! Well, at least it's summer for a shaved tummy.
 
For these tests, does it matter if it was a fasting or not? And OMG, I just looked at the lab results for "breed" it says "Belgian Sheepdog", um, don't think so. lol.

Not really related, but this made me laugh. I noticed at our last vet that Bentley was listed as a "shelti mix" :lol:
 
Not really related, but this made me laugh. I noticed at our last vet that Bentley was listed as a "shelti mix" :lol:

Bailey's rabies certificate says she is 3.6 pounds. :eek2: That's how much she weighed when I first got her!

I'm sorry Miko is having kidney issues, but I'm glad you brought him to the vet at the first sign and caught it early. I hope his change in diet can help and his kidney levels return back to normal.
 
here is bunch of info to look , some of it very nicely written
http://www.alternativepethealth.com/kidney-failure.html
Kidneys are one of those organs that do respond nicely to herbal treatments and are responsive to the kind of food/ water/ meds you get.
I am great believer in Dr Pitcairn book and Rx.
Also not doing any more vaccinations/ topical anti something would be helpful, anything to keep kidney toxicity down.
 
Totally random thought, do you think Vibrant Pets helped his numbers back in May? I ask, because we ran out and haven't been giving it for about a month or so. Just thought I'd ask.
 
How old is Miko now? I don't remember.

Your story is not dissimlar from my story with Bacca - no symptoms but blood counts off the charts (in his case, liver).

I don't know alot about kidney disease, but like the liver, I believe it can be managed with careful diet and perhaps specific supplements (in Bacca's case a lower protein diet and milk thistle). I would not throw generic supplements at him. In the case of liver, milk thistle is geared specifically to help with the liver.

I would ask the vet about the ingredients in Hill that are supposedly good for kidney, then research other options. I'm sure there are better options.

Good luck! I'm in your space, so I now what you are dealing with. It's the constant uncertainty....keeps you second-guessing yourself and your vet!
 
Totally random thought, do you think Vibrant Pets helped his numbers back in May? I ask, because we ran out and haven't been giving it for about a month or so. Just thought I'd ask.

I'm a big believer in the miracles Vibrant Pets can bring, but I'm not an expert in what it can do in terms of medical issues. I would call Lee at Vibrant Pets, explain Miko's situation and see what he says. He knows his stuff and would certainly be willing to consult with you. Just a thought.
 
No experience or advice just letting you know that we are thinking of you and keeping you and Miko in our prayers.
Thank you. I appreciate it.

I'm sorry to hear about Miko's diagnosis and test results, but don't give up hope. Dr. Shelli has given you some great information. As for experience, I can't recall how old Miko is, but my first Sheltie, Scruffy, was diagnosed with kidney disease at age 5 when her numbers were very high. She had no other issues at the time. We put her on the Hills' crap (that was all there was at the time) and she ate it for 5 years. Gradually and slowly, her numbers improved, and by age 10 I put her on regular food again. She lived until age 13 when cancer took her.
What a great story about Scruffy and that she lived until she was 13. How awesome!!! What a lucky dog and family. I can only hope for the same with Miko (granted, he is already 13 though).

I'm sorry Miko is having kidney issues, but I'm glad you brought him to the vet at the first sign and caught it early. I hope his change in diet can help and his kidney levels return back to normal.
I'm glad too. I hate to say it, but I've been obsessed with his health since he turned 12. So I'm glad that I was paying attention to his water intake. Hot or not, our house is cool enough to know it's more than just heat. Here's hoping a diet of bad (but good) food will help his numbers go back to where they need to be.

here is bunch of info to look , some of it very nicely written
http://www.alternativepethealth.com/kidney-failure.html
Kidneys are one of those organs that do respond nicely to herbal treatments and are responsive to the kind of food/ water/ meds you get.
I am great believer in Dr Pitcairn book and Rx.
Also not doing any more vaccinations/ topical anti something would be helpful, anything to keep kidney toxicity down.
Thanks. I am going to read more on that and also look into getting Miko off his flea meds. My friend was suggesting a natural one that she really likes. I'll have to look into all this now. Does this mean I'm going to have to start "cooking" for my dog? Cuz I hate doing it for me. LOL. Ah, anything for Miko though.

Your story is not dissimlar from my story with Bacca - no symptoms but blood counts off the charts (in his case, liver).

I don't know alot about kidney disease, but like the liver, I believe it can be managed with careful diet and perhaps specific supplements (in Bacca's case a lower protein diet and milk thistle). I would not throw generic supplements at him. In the case of liver, milk thistle is geared specifically to help with the liver.

I would ask the vet about the ingredients in Hill that are supposedly good for kidney, then research other options. I'm sure there are better options.

Good luck! I'm in your space, so I now what you are dealing with. It's the constant uncertainty....keeps you second-guessing yourself and your vet!

Barb, Miko is 13 now. And so true about second-guessing, but honestly I don't mind that because that's what makes me to go the vet, question the vet, do research, maybe even get a second opinion. Bacca has been in my thoughts this afternoon. Will you get the test results tomorrow?

I'm a big believer in the miracles Vibrant Pets can bring, but I'm not an expert in what it can do in terms of medical issues. I would call Lee at Vibrant Pets, explain Miko's situation and see what he says. He knows his stuff and would certainly be willing to consult with you. Just a thought.
Interesting. I may just do that. I mean, I'm not saying something didn't go out of whack over the past 3 months, but his levels were a lot lower. lol



Thanks everyone for all of the support and advice and just general information. All this helps me a lot.
 
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