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Ari
Platinum Member
1657 Posts |
 Posted - 23 Oct 2014 : 6:25:24 PM
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Dex is poodle x Jack 13.5 years old and has 100% quality of life, still a lively happy chap. I noticed he was drinking slightly more than normal so straight to vet and he has early stage CKD, not uncommon in a dog of his age. I am hoping that early diagnosis and the best of care from vet will stabalise or at least slow down the inevitable and who knows he may die of old age.
Any experience or advice gratefully received.
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Edited by - Ari on 13 May 2016 8:50:23 PM
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Pasch
Platinum Member
2277 Posts |
Posted - 23 Oct 2014 : 7:50:04 PM
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I have no first hand experience of CKD in dogs (unfortunately I do in cats) but a friend recently lost his old dog to this so I know enough to tell you the symptoms and treatment are basically the same.If yours is at an early stage you will probably be given a pill to take daily and a change in diet,luckily that could be enough to slow it down and give Dex more time with you.
However,keep in mind that there is no such thing as dying of old age,meaning that when our pets (and us)grow old,their body starts to fail and usually kidneys are one of the most common organs to do so.But having caught it early you will certainly be able to manage it,many pets live years with it  |
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Ari
Platinum Member
1657 Posts |
Posted - 23 Oct 2014 : 8:08:45 PM
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| Thanks Pasch for your encouragement that many live years. Have to agree there is no such thing as dying of old age as it's always down to a major organ tipping the scales into decline in an old body. |
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sab2
Platinum Member
8467 Posts |
Posted - 23 Oct 2014 : 9:22:40 PM
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Sorry no advice to give but i shall keep my fingers crossed that Dex has many more happy years in him   |
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Goldenmane
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4964 Posts |
Posted - 24 Oct 2014 : 06:17:29 AM
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I also have no experience but sounds like you've done everything right. Dex sounds a lovely boy, I'd love to see a photo! |
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Callisto
Platinum Member
6905 Posts |
Posted - 24 Oct 2014 : 09:38:49 AM
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| My daughter's collie x something was successfully treated for about 3 years before the pills failed to work, he was a larger dog and they tend to go a bit younger (Clyde made it to 14), so hopefully you have more time with Dex, fingers crossed |
  Zahkira (GR Amaretto x Taffetta)
Linda
East Sussex |
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Ari
Platinum Member
1657 Posts |
Posted - 24 Oct 2014 : 7:36:08 PM
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We have been to vet tonight for a good talk and meds. Dex is very fit so a good prognosis with support for his kidneys.
Thanks everybody for good wishes and support. |
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sab2
Platinum Member
8467 Posts |
Posted - 25 Oct 2014 : 7:14:02 PM
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| Thats good news Ari, they do like to worry us don,t they , sending Dex licks from Percy Pointless |
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Ari
Platinum Member
1657 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2014 : 1:40:58 PM
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Thank you Sally, I hope Percy is doing good. Have to say the vet looking after us has been wonderful and answered all my questions with patience above and beyond and we will have continuity of care with her as its a small practice.
I am now focusing on how lucky I am to have Dex at 13.5 with excellent quality of life rather than worrying. |
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garnet
Platinum Member
2382 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2014 : 6:44:14 PM
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| That's good Ari - don't spoil the rest of your time together by worrying about WHEN. A friend did this with her elderly (30+) horse and it spoilt her last months with him. Fingers crossed and enjoy every day as it comes. |
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Ari
Platinum Member
1657 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2014 : 5:49:32 PM
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Very wise and kind words Garnet. I Have been down that road myself; after we lost my daughters pony suddenly in her early 20's I started worrying and looking for problems in my lady of a similar age. Wake up call from my daughter was "give it up mum she's here and well so enjoy". She lived another 9 years to 30.
He is getting the best care and whilst he is well and happy that is my guide. |
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Quarabian
Platinum Member
Wales
4340 Posts |
Posted - 01 Nov 2014 : 8:38:01 PM
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| A friend of mine has a bull terrier who has just been diagnosed with kedney failure. She has done a lot of research online and found a supportive website with excellent advice. Diet seems to be paramount. She has rejected the vets tinned diet and gone for fresh, good quality protein and low salt diet. I will try to get the website for you. |
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Ari
Platinum Member
1657 Posts |
Posted - 02 Nov 2014 : 12:05:19 PM
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That's kind Quarabian, think I have read up all there is. Diet does seem to be very important and I am opting for a combination of fresh and the prescription food just because it is supplemented with the vitamins dogs with ckd need more of.
Lowering protein isn't the answer, I agree with your friend it's the good quality protein they need and B12 is important.
Dex has always been on the best not cheap but still "commercial pet food" and it's got him to a good age and may or may not have contributed to ckd but it's certainly got me thinking about how I will feed any future dog.
His brother from same litter has had a good but very different 100% farm life living in a barn and been fed very differently on a lot of raw food. I know he hasn't had to have dentals (unlike Dex) so I will catch up with his owner and compare notes.
I can track his 2 other litter mates via my farrier who bred them and it may make an interesting post on here for the long winter evenings.
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Edited by - Ari on 02 Nov 2014 4:30:22 PM |
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Goldenmane
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4964 Posts |
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Ari
Platinum Member
1657 Posts |
Posted - 05 Dec 2014 : 6:03:45 PM
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Thank you for asking. Dex is great, I've changed his diet and lovely vet has looked after us both so well. The only symptoms he has of kidney problems is drinking more, thankfully never poorly so we caught it early. So with low phosphorous diet and low dose meds he remains oblivious to his age.
At 13 he is very quick to chase a rat or rabbit and enjoying life.
How's your friends dog doing?
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Edited by - Ari on 05 Dec 2014 6:26:53 PM |
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Ari
Platinum Member
1657 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2015 : 6:01:10 PM
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We are 9 mths from diagnosis of early stage CKD. Tried him with prescription food and he would have starved rather than eat it so he is on only best quality but whatever he wants. Got pup January who is now nearly 8 mths, they are pals and he plays again. Dex is no way worse than back in October in fact he he is better and happier.
I have to say he is amazing; bronchitis, heart murmer, CKD and at 14 so enjoying life. I am very lucky, I love him so much. |
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garnet
Platinum Member
2382 Posts |
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sab2
Platinum Member
8467 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2015 : 6:46:37 PM
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| I agree wonderful news and great that the two of them get on so well |
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Ari
Platinum Member
1657 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2015 : 6:58:53 PM
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| How lucky am I to have a happy old boy with 100% quality of life. I worried about being selfish getting a pup however fate gave us both a gentle girl. Love em both to bits x |
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Pasch
Platinum Member
2277 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2015 : 11:35:54 PM
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| Such good news.nice that puppy has given him an injection of youth! |
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Goldenmane
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4964 Posts |
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Kharidian
Platinum Member
England
4297 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jul 2015 : 10:20:09 AM
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Great news, long may it continue x
Caryn |
Kharidian (Prince Sadik x Khiri)........ Alkara Cassino (H Tobago x Rose Aboud)
aka "Roger".................................... aka "Chips"
     
The first image is from an original painting by Pat Shorto.
South-East Essex |
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FireLight
Gold Member
620 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jul 2015 : 2:03:44 PM
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| Lovely to hear Dex is well, obviously a young lady has given him a new lease of life! |
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garnet
Platinum Member
2382 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jul 2015 : 4:36:27 PM
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You know what - 
We'd love to see them playing together! |
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Ari
Platinum Member
1657 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jul 2015 : 7:26:07 PM
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| Will get some pics and will send to Sally to post. Ipad don't do it for me |
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Ari
Platinum Member
1657 Posts |
Posted - 13 May 2016 : 8:58:29 PM
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We are now over 18mths since Dex was diagnosed with kidney disease. Been to vet today for check up and all good. He is 15 eating well and still running around the fields he has known all his life. No need to increase medication, he is one genetically blessed little dog and I am very grateful cos I love him so much.
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Kidney problems in old dog - further update
