Renal Failure 7 Mo. female Rott

[Baltzell]

Any help would be appreciated. If anyone has been through this and has knowledge on this topic.....please reply. My brother, his wife, and friends are
Vets and I use them my second opinions ( I feel lucky about that). They are also friends with my regular Vet. I guess I want info. from anyone who has been effected directly by this. I know I'm repeating myself...


Thanks,

[Judi W]

What was the cause of the the failure? Is it a condition of the kidney itself or caused by trauma or disease? If disease, has the disease been successfully treated? That type of information might make it easier for someone who has experienced something similar to help.

[Baltzell]

We believe she was born this way.....from the time I brought her home she has slowly gotten worse. Hard to potty train, slow growth, all the text book signs. Her kidneys are very small and all levels BUN etc. are high. Red blood count low. She has always had Flint River/ Innova can mix as well as probiotics. Natren's Healthy Trinity for dogs;
it is a very potent probiotic for people but they have one for dogs.

[Judi W]

Standard Poodles have a juvenile inherited renal atrophy. Referring to some of their information is probably your best bet as they have and continue to do a great deal of research in this area. Rottweilers are not among the breeds listed for such, but the management of the lack of function would be pretty much the same. I am afraid it is not hopeful. The following link might have some useful information for you.

http://vetprof.com/clientinfo/poodlerenal.html

[Baltzell]

I have been training "Jazzy" for sometime now...she is a worker.... but now has pain in her shoulders and I think her hips (right after I found out). I am using Metcam only when needed. Could the pain just be growing pains? Brother and Vet can't give a good answer. The pain comes and goes quickly. I have 12 yrs. rottie experience and want to preserve her quality not so much quantity of life. That would require mindreading which I don't do....when to put her down?...I want her to keep her dignity.One minute she is happy and full of life and the next so sad. She loves to work and I had planned to atleast get a schutzhund I title on her.
Also, that link you gave me pretty much sums her symptoms up.

[Judi W]

I suspect the pain is the result of her condition accompanying the muscle weakness caused by the disease. Metacam is the best of all the anti-inflamatories, very well tolerated and effective although your vet would know whether the exhaustion and pain are actually an inflamatory response and affected by the Metacam or not. (I wouldn't hazard a guess on this, but if it appears to give her some relief I would use it for sure). Everything indicates that this is a terminal condition so I would not stint her in any way in relief with whatever medications might work.

Her puppy heart will urge her to keep going long after her body says no, so let your conscience guide you. Don't make her beg you for release.

I am sorry the poor girl has to deal with this, but do your best in her interests.

[Judy Chrusch]

Kidney disease is a horrible thing and can be quite painful. Though I'm not in your shoes at present, my boy has kidney damage from lyme so I've seen the horrible side of the disease and though I almost lost him he is able to live with the disease.

Have you ever had an ultrasound and does she have to kidneys, you'd be amazed how many only have one ? Without knowing the history and all the tests that may have or have not been done, it's hard to give advice since every case is different. With kidney disease some can resume a relatively normal life and others fail quickly. All I know is they can suffer terribly and can be in a great deal of pain. Watch for those signs and don't allow her to live with pain. Rotties pain tolerance is amazing so if the play stops and eating gets less and less then you need to have a heart to heart with yourself, enough said on that matter .

I wish you all the best, have you ever asked if the disease is irreversible and what exactly does hse have, I'm not clear on that, sorry? I'm so sorry you're going through this, I hope it can be turned around.

Judy

[Baltzell]

She does have two small kidneys. She has done great until now. This disease creeps up. Excessive water drinking and small for her age. She was to be a show quality puppy. 7 mo. and she is 37 lbs.
The disease has NO cure and managing it is the key. I own my own business so my dogs go to work with me everyday.....I would not be able to take care of her properly
if my situation was different.

[Judy Chrusch]

Oh my, 37 pounds how awful. What are your plans for this special girl and how is she right now? That's great that she can be with you at work and knowing what you know must be so painful for you. What advice has your vet given so far? What are they doing for her? Have you considered a specialist or has she seen one already? I guess my concern is that she's already suffering but I'm sure you're doing all you can to make her as comfortable as possible.

Judy

[Baltzell]

I am lucky to have 2 vets in the family as well as their friends who are vets. I found out Wed. and through the advice of my personal vet as well as family now know that OSU VET School would not be able to really help much more...
Best to describe her is back and forth. Since Wed. about 50% better. We play and I'm with her pretty much 24/ 7. Sometimes she seems sad but the good days are out numbering the bad. Her food is staying down more now...Hill's K/d, reverse osmosis water, and Natren's Healthy Trinity Doggie Probiotics(great stuff).

[Judy Chrusch]

Sure sounds like you're doing all the right things and what a blessing to have such knowledgable people in your family. I'm sure you have already discussed when it will be time and the fact that she's on a special diet and you're with her most of the time, that's a good thing and very admirable. I wish you all the very best and hope she can live a happy life for as long as she can .

Judy