Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi all:
I just wanted to share our experience with failing kidneys, and how we approached it. First, a little background to what led us here.
Nitro had 6 rounds of carboplatin following amputation of his front leg. We then moved on to metronomic therapy that consisted of a daily low dose Cytoxan/Piroxicam combo. This continued for 10 months, when he showed signs of cystitis (bladder inflammation that caused red blood cells in his urine). I caught it early (I'm a lab tech in a hospital and regularly tested his urine), and discontinued the meds. He developed severe incontinence, and I was sure cancer had returned in his kidney/bladder. After extensive testing that included labs, bladder tap for culture, ultrasound, and X-rays, the vet could find nothing wrong. His lab values (BUN/CREATININE) became elevated, his urine specific gravity kept getting more dilute - he couldn't concentrate his urine. He drank water obsessively, and of course, pee'd oceans of urine. I've been told this happens because the kidneys have to work harder and harder to clear impurities out of the body.
We changed his food to prescription Hill's K/D, as his kidneys couldn't tolerate high amounts of protein/phosphorus in his diet. We consulted his homeopathic vet about acupuncture; she has several clients with kidney issues that this has helped. She also gave us a supplement called RENAFOOD, made by a company called Standard Process. There is someone in her life (father?) who has kidney cancer, who also takes this.
Little by little, the incontinence got better; his urine is becoming more concentrated, his BUN/CREATININE - while still elevated - are trending downward. He no longer tries to drown himself in water, and we don't have to put diapers on him anymore. It's an ongoing process, but it's better. Also, he's almost 11 years old, so who know just how much better he'll get, or for how long.
Maybe this will help someone who is facing similar issues.
Paula and Nitro
P.S. If there is a better topic this should be moved to, please do so. Thanks
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
This is PERFECT Paula, thank you so much for sharing such super valuable information.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Paula and Nitro
Tell me about kidney problems ...
I lost my previous blue Dane Kinky to Leishmaniose, an horrendous parasite transmitted by mosquito bites. My girl had a scalibor collar always on combined with Advantix as extra protection but even with all this, she still got bitten ...
Anyway, cutting a long story short, it hit her kidneys hard and we tried everything possible to save her. Blood transfusions, haemodialysis, injections of human albumin, you name it.
I proposed to have one of my kidneys transplanted to her but the vets said it doesn't work between different species ... and kidney transplant in dogs was at an experimental phase in the States in those days.
It was the most horrendous time of my life, I lost my baby one week after and she had never shown any symptoms whatsoever ...
I suppose her number was up and she had to go 
she was only 4 1/2, a baby ...
I am so happy Nitro is improving, it is such good news !!!! And, as you say, he reached a very respectable age for a dobbie too !
Sending you waves of pawsitive energy, big hug and cuddles to your boy
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Paula,so glad you posted this! Thank you for taking the time to share this valuable information.
Kinky...so sorry to hear about Kinky. I KNOW it broke your heart (and srill does). You did everything ppssible, even trying to transplant your own kidney! The "belief system@ that Ive gravitated to is similar to yours.....when it's your time, it's your time. We do everything we can, and if nothing works, it comes down to "it's time".
Do you have a photo you could post? We would love to hear more about her and celebrate her life with you.
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Hi Sally (and so sorry Paula and Nitro for taking over your post a little bit ...)
You've got it right ... I never had a dog like Kinky before, our connection was perfect, I would think something and she would do it and she would think something and I knew instantly what she meant ...
Her premature death and the fact there were no warning signs really killed me for a long, long time. At least with cancer, as I now know with Eurydice, you have got more time to prepare, more time to manage, more time to enjoy life with your dog.
Kinky was gone in one week, one week !!! without any warning signs ! That was five years ago and it seems like today.
Anyway .... there is a corner of my heart that is hers exclusively and, like you, I did a lot of personal, hearty things ...
I remember reading you placed a lock of your hair in Happy Hannah's heart ...
I filled an envelope with photographs of us together, my children and grandchildren and draw hearts everywhere and that stayed with my baby girl.
I would love to post some pictures but it wouldn't be appropriate to place them here.
Maybe Jerry has some suggestions ?
Sending you and Paula a big hug and huge cuddles to Merry Myrtle, Frankie and Nitro
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
eurydice said
I would love to post some pictures but it wouldn't be appropriate to place them here.Maybe Jerry has some suggestions ?
Thanks for asking, and sharing your story. How about the "Anything Goes" discussion?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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