Chronic Renal Failure in Senior

[LJsMom]

I asked about the urinalysis with the protein/creatinine ratio. If you had done this when Banshee was diagnosed you would know what stage she is, if she need a binder or not, and if the high protein was caused by the CRF or the UTI.

I am just trying to help others that come along and read this. The urinalysis is a vital part of the diagnosis. It should not be skipped just because you're ticked at a poster.

Don't worry - I won't post again on your thread.

[Jax08]

Joanne -

I am not skipping any diagnostic testing because I'm "ticked at a poster". I would never do anything to harm, or neglect, my animals because of "poster". What kind of sick person does something like that? Where did you even get that from? Because I'm not posting everything that I have discussed with my vet?

I appreciate your posts here and you've given me great information. I'm sorry you feel that way but I'm not going to have an ongoing argument with Lisa that detracts from Banshee's thread.

[Jax08]

Banshee bounced up to Cracker and tried to stomp on him. Cracker sat up on his hind legs, batted her three times in the face and stalked away. Banshee ran to DH and cried to him. Jax ran over and harrassed Cracker for 5 minutes until he ran away.

[Jax08]

recheck for Banshee tomorrow. Think we'll have the blood work redone a month early while she's there. Is it better to do the BW fasting?

[Jax08]

Results were good!!! Urine protein down to 30 from 500. BUN back in normal range. CREA up slightly, Calcium and Phosp in normal ranges. Recheck in 3 mths

Carmen! I'll email you the results and report from Doc. He'll call your vet to give results and work out the supplement! He said "keep doing what you're doing"

[Jax08]

ok...few minutes to write all this out for anyone that might be going through a similar experience...

Over the past summer, Banshee started peeing at night periodically and only at night. She would wander a bit. If someone stands up, she goes right to the door to go out. Seems a bit lost at times. Vet thinks the wandering, going to the door is due to a bit of dementia.

12/29/2011 had 31 teeth pulled that were terribly infected. Reason we waited was she probably has a return of mast cell cancer and we didn't think she would have that long to live. For anyone wanting further explanation on why we waited read thread on other board.
Mast Cell Tumors - GermanShepherdHome.net

Here we are 2 years later.... After surgery, we had to wait for that bacteria along with the antibiotics to work out of her system before running any tests. Had a couple weeks break before she developed a UTI. Antibiotics for 3 weeks. 2/25/2012 - First clear weekend not on any antibiotics and bacteria from teeth out of system.

Vet said we did the right thing by waiting to run tests. Would have had skewed test results if we had done the tests at time of diagnosis because of the teeth bacteria and being on an antibiotic. Today, did a Chem17 and urinalysis. Someone stated previously in this thread that a crea/protein ratio should have been done at time of diagnosis. Per vet, that is incorrect. A crea/pro ratio is done as a preliminary test to help determine if there is CRF We already know there is so that would have been a waste of money and can get the same information from the Chem17 w/ electrolytes we ran plus more important values.. Urine was clear today, no infection. She still pees on the floor at night. It is due to the CRF and is a symptom of CRF.

Supplements: CoQ10, Vit B12, Cranberry, a new supplement from Carmen for kidney/urinary health, O3 oils with vit e (again from Carmen)

Also discussed calcium supplements with vet. He cringed, literally, when I said calcium supplements until I explained that we were using egg shells. He strongly advised egg shells over calcium supplements because (as Carmen pointed out previously in thread) the supplements are made from rocks whereas egg shells are a food.

Said he was not concerned with Crea level going from 1.9 to 2.1 at this time. Said the levels often go up and level off so next BW will give an idea of what that is doing.

Overall, very happy with what we were doing. Continue supplements, he will discuss Banshee with holistic vet to coordinate with Carmen, continue RAW diet with reduced phosphorus levels. Recheck in 3 months.

When I get time I'll scan BW and UA results in and post.

[LisaT]

Sounds like the vet picked the right antibiotic to hit the uti with, which is very likely what brought those numbers inline, of course along with supportive care of the supps.

What antibiotic was used?

[Jax08]

if thinking she had a uti in December while ignoring everything else makes you sleep better, then you continue to think that. Like a rabid dog with a bone....

[LisaT]

Sigh, no, but if you want to leave information for other people to learn from, I'm thinking that it should at least be complete.

[Jax08]

Carmen - emailed BW and UA results to you just now. Thank you very much for all the help you've given me!