Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I took 12 yr old Lady (aka Chunky Monkey) in to get her teeth cleaned and mentioned that she was still drinking a ton of water and peeing all the time. (They had ruled out diabetes last month.) The blood work came back as early kidney failure and they prescribed Hills KD Diet and 1/4 Tums 2x day. I forgot to ask why (the Tums part)...and the vet is now on vacation. Just curious, what the heck does the Tums do? Is it for me?
Spirit Samson was Spirit Tripawd Daisys four legged "brother" and ruled as the self proclaimed head of the Monkeybutt Federations East Coast Division. Lady Chunky Monkey stayed from Oct 2011 and left for the bridge in Apr 2012. Miss Perdy is left and has some big pawprints to fill.
Do you have what it takes to be a Monkeybutt? Find out more at the Monkeybutt Federation
Yes, take the Tums, followed by your favorite adult beverage, then repeat! 
Tri-pug Maggie developed early kidney failure or CRF (chronic renal failure) as well, she was almost 11 when diagnosed. I don't remember getting Tums from the vet, but we did try several stomach meds. I am assuming the tums is to help her apatite? That became a big problem for us, which is normal course for kidney failure.Â
There is a helpful yahoo group, I think called K9Kidneys- I'll check when I get home if you are interested. You are welcome to PM me too and I can share what I know. Unfortunately Maggie was diagnosed with oral melanoma not long after the CRF diagnosis so we only dealt with CRF for about 4 months.
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Karen and the pugapalooza
Poor Lady! I hate hearing this!Â
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly  January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Well, we knew that we were adopting an elderly Lady (get it-) So we are not surprised that she came with issues. Better she live out her days here than her last days in a shelter. Other than drinking about 2 gallons of water a day she really isnt having any other issues at this point. She certainly hasn't lost her appetite. Hopefully we can slow the renal failure down a bit.Â
Spirit Samson was Spirit Tripawd Daisys four legged "brother" and ruled as the self proclaimed head of the Monkeybutt Federations East Coast Division. Lady Chunky Monkey stayed from Oct 2011 and left for the bridge in Apr 2012. Miss Perdy is left and has some big pawprints to fill.
Do you have what it takes to be a Monkeybutt? Find out more at the Monkeybutt Federation
Yes, I agree - the tums are for you, followed by a lotta pizza and your choice of accompanying adult beverage.
Just wanted to say I think you guys are amazing and super special people for adopting an older dog. 🙂
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Dogs with kidney failure often have increased stomach acidity so Tums or Mylanta helps control that and improves appetite. Some dogs also develop elevated phosphorus in the blood and the aluminum hydroxide in some stomach meds will bind phosphorus and lower the levels. I have also used famotidine (Pepcid) or Carafate for stomach issues.
If your vet hasn't checked a urine sample I would also do that since many of these dogs have a secondary UTI or excess protein leakage and if unchecked those conditions could make kidney disease worse.
Pam
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