Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in my dog – it's progressing

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Isabelle79 Icon representing the flag French
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Hi everyone,

My little Lolita, an American Cocker Spaniel who is nearly 13, has had kidney disease since this winter. We found out during a routine check-up.

At the time, her levels were still relatively low (creatinine 1.47, urea 0.76, and urinary proteinuria 0.32).

However, since then, the levels have just kept rising with every blood test.

I’ve tried everything: renal dry food, home-cooked meals, on top of all her medications (Ipakitine, Fortekor, Duomega, Porus One).

Her latest blood test is bad again. Everything has shot up since the previous one.

Her current levels are creatinine: 1.94, urea: 87, phosphorus: 2.6 mmol, and urinary proteinuria 0.64.

The vet doesn’t give her more than a year to live.

I’m devastated, absolutely terrified...

I can’t imagine losing her...

She’s my best friend...

As of today, she’s started taking Chinese herbs.

I’m hoping so much that they’ll help bring these levels down, or at least stabilise them.

She’s in great shape otherwise, except that she’s becoming very incontinent (she already had a bit of spay incontinence before).

She’s also lost a lot of weight, but the last blood test showed her thyroid isn’t well managed (she’s gone from an underactive thyroid to becoming overactive), so we’ve reduced her thyroid medication and she’s already put a bit of weight back on.

Apart from that, she’s full of beans. We still go for 6-mile walks regularly.

Has anyone else been through this? Levels that just keep going up? Did you eventually manage to stabilise things?

I’m so scared and really need to hear some reassuring stories.

Thanks so much

Translated from French
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    • Doudou229
    Doudou229 Icon representing the flag French
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    Hello Isabelle79, Regarding your Lolita, she really needs to put some weight back on to prevent muscle wasting and pain. The easiest thing would be to introduce some high-quality probiotics and raw white meats along with lean meats, and leafy greens that are low in phosphorus. (No pork). This should be done after a gradual dietary transition over several weeks. Try to avoid all dry food or home-cooked meats and give her raw food as much as possible. Don't include too many grains in her diet. Making sure the protein is high-quality is the real priority... the quality of the RAW meat is vital! And don't be tempted to listen to advice about lowering protein levels just to get a low-phosphorus diet (by replacing them with grain-heavy foods like rice). Feeding poor-quality, low-protein food isn't what's needed to restore, maintain, or lower her levels. You need to find the right balance through the quality of the other ingredients and supplements. Is there any blood in her stools? Any diarrhoea? In addition to probiotics and prebiotics, you should add some nettle seeds. Have a look at Swanie Simon’s "Renal Phyt" (for a ready-made option), perhaps with some kelp as a supplement. About those Chinese herbs (from the vet?), could you let me know the ingredients if you have them? I’ll check if we can bring the creatinine levels down using Chinese astragalus...
    Translated from French
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    Yann-shadow Icon representing the flag French
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    I don't have any answers to your questions, but your post really touched me. I'm wishing you all the best and hang in there.
    Translated from French

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