Dog renal failure... will not eat

by David
(Salisbury, MA)

Our 8 year old Australian shepard mix breed dog Rexie tested positive for Lime's Disease and we were told she was in renal failure or very close to it. She cant keep her meds down and she will not eat.

Our vet put her on an appetizer stimulant but she throws it up. The only thing we can get to stay down is the Five Leaf pet pharmacy program which is a program we found on the Internet. It is an organic supplement of natural herbs and dog greens. She keeps that down but still will not eat and is losing weight very fast.

My question is, what can we do to get her to eat? we have tried everything including foods that were her favorites along with some of the things the Five Leaf program suggested but nothing piques her interest.

Is she starving herself to death? So confused and don't know what to do. Please help us.

Dave

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Dog renal failure... will not eat

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Apr 28, 2012

My Online Vet Response for: Dog renal failur...will not eat
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi David,
For your 8 year old Australian Shepherd, Rexie, with kidney failure due to Lyme Disease, I can offer a few suggestions to get you started. But, it would be much more beneficial for you to seek the help of a holistic veterinarian that can see Rexie on a daily basis.

I commend you on finding the Five Leaf Pet Pharmacy program! It offers some very good products. The advice they have at the end of the kidney program, regarding HYDRATION is of utmost importance.
"...about administering subcutaneous fluids at home... to ensure your dog stays as hydrated as possible." Also, the ingredients would complement any homeopathic remedy.

So, to start, you will need to give Rexie 300cc of either Normosol R or Lactated Ringers Solution SQ two times daily at home. Although, it works faster if given in the hospital through an IV catheter. She could get her fluids at the hospital during the day, and you could take her home in the evening, and return her the next day. This needs to be done to flush the toxins from her system. That is what is making her nauseous, and not eat. Once her appetite is improved, she will not need the SQ or IV fluids so often.

Next, she will need to have B-Vitamin + B-12 injections on a daily basis for 7-10 days, given by SQ injection. B-vits will sometimes improve the appetite.

In cases where a patient is unable to hold down food, but they are able to hold down liquids, I will suggest giving chicken broth, or beef bouillon, or even tuna fish juice, so they have some protein in their system. Offer 1/4 cup every 2-3 hours and also provide water free choice. Another way to tempt them to take in nutrients, is to freeze some chicken or turkey broth in an ice cube tray, and offer some 'chicken or turkey ice cubes'.

Products to assist in removing the nitrogen wastes (which causes her BUN to increase), include Azodyl, Renavast, and Renafood.

She should be on ALL of them. The most important ones are the Azodyl, available from amazon.com, and Renavast.

Azodyl comes in a capsule form, and usually is administered by opening the capsule and sprinkling it into the food. (The instructions may say to keep the capsule intact, but for dogs that are nauseous, I would NOT give them the enteric coated capsule, as it will not dissolve at all!) In Rexie's case, it will have to be opened and sprinkled into a small amount of chicken or beef broth and squirted into her mouth. That is IF she is NOT vomiting liquids.

TO BE CONTINUED IN PART TWO

Apr 28, 2012

My Online Vet Response for: Dog renal failure...will not eat PART TWO
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi David,
Here is the rest of my response.

I would not give her any conventional medications, especially not antibiotics. Antibiotics may upset her GI tract even more, by killing off the 'good' bacteria. If she HAS had some antibiotics, then she will need to be supplemented with Acidophilus. Given the same way as the Azodyl, opening the capsule and sprinkling it into some chicken or beef broth, and squirting it into her mouth.

Renavast is made mostly for cats, but can also be used for dogs as well. You can order it from their website.

Lastly, Click here to find a holistic veterinarian in your area that is knowledgeable in homeopathy, to help her heal. AVH.org.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

P.S. If you've found this service or our web site helpful, please "Like" us by clicking the like button at the top of the left margin. Thank you!

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Apr 28, 2012

still not eating on her own
by: david cross

Rexie is still not eating on her own we are feeding her by hand however she is drinking water on her own and holding it down. The five leaf is also staying down.

I'm sorry but the holistic vet is out of the question - we just can not afford it. We are a family of 6 if you count Rexie and we are doing everything we can on our own. I know this may sound foolish seeing as I just payed $10 for this service, but we could not find a holistic vet in our area for less than $150 per office visit our regular vet is $85 per office visit so $10 for your advice was our last option and we are very grateful for it.

We are going to try and gather as much money as we can to try some of your suggestions. We are going to stay with the five leaf because we already have it and there is about 2 weeks left if she show some improvement we will continue it.

Other than that we are out of options and out of money. My kids got together and sold their snowmobile to get us this far we just don't know what else to do. Again, thank you so very much for your time and suggestions - we will keep trying and time will tell.

May 01, 2012

My Online Vet Response for: Dog Renal Failure...will not eat
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi David,
I understand your situation, and God Bless your kids for raising money by selling their snowmobile for Rexie!!

If she is holding down liquids, certainly trying chicken broth, beef broth, and water and the Five Leaf herbal medicine should help. The Sub Q fluids that you can do at home with B-vitamin/B-12 injections should also help to flush her kidneys.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Related Pages:
- Ticks & Lyme Disease in Dogs

May 03, 2012

R.I.P. Rexie
by: Anonymous

I just wanted to say thanks for all your help. Rexie has lost the fight against Lyme disease. We had her laid to rest today and we will miss her so very very much. Life will not be the same for a very long time. Our house is so empty without her. Again, thank you for all your help.

May 05, 2012

My Online Vet Response for: Dog renal failure... will not eat
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi David,
My deepest sympathy to you and your family on the loss of your precious Rexie. I am very sorry to hear of her passing. But you can be sure that she is now at peace and not suffering.

I could tell from your posting that you loved her very much, and of course will miss her deeply.

She is now a little angel in heaven.

All of us here at Organic Pet Digest send you our deepest sympathy.

Sincerely,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Apr 17, 2013

five leaf pharmacy is a fraud NEW
by: Anonymous

when i initially went onto there website and asked questions they where quick to respond. i ordered the product paid for it and sent numerous emails thereafter and did not get a single reply. having done a search for complaints on five leaf pet pharmacy i now see i am not the only one with this problem.thank goodness i checked and its only been 3 days since i started the programme. i am going to stop today.

Apr 17, 2013

My Online Vet Response for: Dog Renal Failure...will not eat NEW
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Dear Anonymous,
Thanks for your follow-up regarding the Five Leaf Pet Pharmacy program. I have not used them, I only read the information posted on their website.

It offers some very good products. The advice they have at the end of the kidney program, regarding HYDRATION is of utmost importance.
"...about administering subcutaneous fluids at home... to ensure your dog stays as hydrated as possible." Also, the ingredients would complement any homeopathic remedy.

Apparently, their customer/tech support is not very good.

Click here to find a holistic veterinarian in your area. Another resource for vets knowledgeable in homeopathy is AVH.org.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

P.S. If you've found this service or our web site helpful, please "Like" us by clicking the like button at the top of the left margin. Thank you!

DISCLAIMER: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Apr 18, 2013

fungal liver abscess NEW
by: Anonymous

i spent my last 350 dollars on five leaf pet pharmacy. i live in south africa and wondered if you could look at there liver programme and tell me if i sould follow. i am desperate to the point of suicidal regarding my girl. i need to keep funds available for her us and blood works as well and cannot afford rhe online vet fees.

Apr 19, 2013

My Online Vet Response for: Dog Renal failure...will not eat NEW
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Dear Anonymous,
I am very sorry to hear that your dog has liver problems. I tried to check out the Five Leaf Pet Pharmacy liver supplements but their home page is not set up yet, and the only supplements they have listed are for heart, kidney, and carnitine/taurine. (see below)

FiveLeafPetPharmacy.com

Please click on one of our links below to visit the specific website you are looking for:

CanineHeartHealth.com
CanineKidneyHealth.com
Carnitine-Taurine.com

Our Home Page www.FiveLeafPetPharmacy.com will be completed soon. Please check back!

And while I am happy to help, we only accept new questions from subscribers (the original question above was from a subscriber).
Please click here to sign up and submit your question and photos. I'll then get back to you right away at the bottom of your newly created web page.
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

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