Homeopathic Treatment for Advanced Kidney Disease in Dog

by Adele F.
(New York)

My mixed breed 40 lb dog became severely ill nearly 4 weeks ago and was hospitalized. Her diagnosis is kidney failure – whether chronic or acute seems disputed since only 6 weeks prior she had a full check-up with no incident.

An ultrasound showed no abnormality. After treatment with fluids and antibiotics (for urinary tract infection) in the hospital, she was released with a poor prognosis.

Indeed, she was extremely weak but yet still alive. Euthanasia was on the near-term horizon.

3 weeks ago, we started to give her Ringer’s lactate at home daily. Seeking other solutions, we visited an holistic vet in our area hoping for a homeopathic solution, but this particular vet said that she is terminally ill and homeopathy cannot be utilized in such a severe case.

However, the vet has put her on an aggressive “hospice” program, which can extend her life for a while, as the vet has done before with other cases. This involves numerous conventional medications in addition to fluids.

There is no doubt that without these medications, our dog will die. Even by missing one day of medications, she went into relapse.

The medications include anti-emetics, appetite stimulation, Cerenia (which we dose through the fluids) and anti-ulcer medications (I can provide the names of these drugs,if helpful, but I suspect you would know this course.) The program involves reducing the nausea to increase appetite, suppress vomiting and keep flushing as much as possible with fluids.

With a steady routine, she does respond to this treatment. But I know realize we are orchestrating her symptoms and doing nothing to heal her. Her lack of appetite is also contributing greatly to her illness as she has lost significant weight (now 28 lbs), is frail and weak.

I may be a boundless optimist but I feel something can be done to help heal this dog who wants to be well. I just ordered the Five Leaf Pharmacy program which should arrive Monday.

As a person who has seen amazing human results with homeopathy, I am not convinced that there is no homeopathic route to be pursued. Perhaps when she is slightly stronger, we can help “push” her in the direction of wellness with the right remedy.

I know such things have happened and wonder how we might find some help. I know that homeopathy can do some amazing things but this particular vet feels that it will not help in this case due to the severity of the disease. If we pursue yet another vet (would now be the 3rd), we will go into a waiting period. The homeopathic vets in this area are nearly impossible to get appointments with short of a 2-3 week waiting period and that would once again change the course of her treatment, which in such a fragile state, worries me.

Is a remote consultation possible? What is your thought and opinion?

Thank you. Your guidance is much appreciated.
-Adele

Comments for Homeopathic Treatment for Advanced Kidney Disease in Dog

Jul 06, 2013

My Online Vet Response for: Homeopathic Treatment for Advanced Kidney Disease in Dog
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Adele,

As you have not provided me with any information about your dog, except for her previous weight, (40lbs) and current weight (28lbs), I do not have enough information on which to provide a prognosis for you. And, I too, have seen homeopathy stimulate the vital force in some individuals providing almost a miraculous recovery!

On a quick search of the repertory, for the following symptoms:

1. Kidney inflammation causing uremia and vomiting
2. Kidney inflammation with uremia
3. Uremia in general

The five top remedies indicated are Arsenicum, Ammonicum carbonicum, Belladonna, Iodium, and Phosphorus.

For me to determine which one would be the appropriate remedy, I need to know more information about her. Also, since you are giving a number of conventional drugs at this time, her symptoms are probably subdued and not very characteristic. Therefore I need the following:

I. Breed, age, sex/spayed/neutered(?)

II. Personality: friendly? skittish? outgoing? nervous? fear of thunder? love of ice cream? chilly and wants to be under covers? or loves to be in the sun? etc.

III. Tell me what she was doing, (*characteristic* symptoms), that made you think she was sick 4 weeks ago.

In the meantime, she should ALSO be taking these supplements to help provide kidney support.

1. Azodyl – Give her 2 capsules opened and sprinkled in her food two times daily. This is a nitrogen absorbing bacteria, that will absorb nitrogen from her GI tract, to take the ‘load’ off the kidneys and decrease her BUN.

2. Renafood – Made by Standard Process. Crumble TWO tablets in her food TWO times daily. This is a glandular supplement to provide kidney support for her kidney tissue.

3. B-12/B-vitamin complex injections. If you are giving her Sub-Q fluids, ask your veterinarian to make up injections for her in TB syringes of .3cc B-vitamin complex plus .5cc B-12 in one syringe. This injection can be given subcutaneously into the fluid pocket one time daily to every other day after her fluids are given. It will help keep up her essential water soluble vitamins, and possibly improve her appetite.

As her immune system may be depressed, (why else did she succumb to kidney failure?) here are some immune supplements that might help. But I would support the kidneys FIRST, and once her appetite is restored, then add the immune support.

1. Missing Link Canine Formula
2. Immuplex from Standard Process
3. OrthoMolecular Specialties, Mega C Powder

This may be a more extensive list to help find a *closer* 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

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

Jul 06, 2013

Response
by: Adele

Thank you for your response. I will do my best to provide more information. I am going to make two responses as the system has a limitation that I have exceeded in my response.

Patty is a female, 12 yr-old, mixed-breed collie/corgi/shepherd.
– adopted at 8 wks from a shelter & spayed <1yr.
-has had 1 heat.
-Her health was normal EXCEPT for pancreatic insufficiency which manifested about 1 year of age & has since had Pancreatin added to her food at every meal.

She is a possessive, extremely attached dog. She won’t go anywhere without family, stays by us(does not require a leash). Her possessiveness could be a negative, causing her to bear her teeth at anyone who tried to usurp her position closest to me or go near my personal items-never actually bit anyone. She has a coyote-like appearance disposition-i.e., don’t mess with me, intelligence, love for the pack, the hunt and adventure.
-Compared to a big goofy Lab, Patty is a quiet observer, hunter, sneakier-type of dog. She guided us on hikes, looking back every few feet to check on our location. If she decided to break some rules around the house, she plotted carefully & worked behind our backs.
– She is an avid swimmer.
-She always ate voraciously with a dislike for greens.
-She is afraid of thunder & other loud noises, i.e., gunshot, fireworks.
– She never did like very young children – never hurt anyone but never welcomed their advances either.

-In January she lost her best friend, our other dog. He died quite traumatically. She was home alone with me at the time & I did note that she was extremely distressed by this trauma (as was I). Afterwards I felt that she suddenly looked old. She was depressed for several months. About this time, I noticed that she was drinking more than usual & acted less eager. She also started a unusual behavior pattern of staying upstairs in the bedroom even though the family was all downstairs. This was out of character for her.

-She had a physical in May. Because she missed her prior year’s physical, the vet said she needed to catch-up. On that day she received several vaccinations at once ( the holistic vet feels this may have tipped her kidneys). Thereafter, she appeared indifferent, less eager to explore & I noticed she was dragging her back paws a little – this in addition to increased thirst. However, she ate normally until a day or so before we realized she was in serious trouble.

-On June 15, she became so listless she required urgent care. She was in hospital for 4 days & was released with BUN@95 & creatin of 6.8. Obviously, they felt she had little chance of recovery.

See next response for current symptoms.

Jul 06, 2013

Response Part II
by: Adele

Patty’s current symptoms are:
– increased attachment anxiety (needs to be in the same room with me, if not on the same piece of furniture)
– weakness, falling, slipping
– nausea (suppressed some of the time by conventional medication)
– fatigue – wakes up poorly, listless & depressed-looking condition with uremic breath, improves slightly throughout the day & then wanes again towards night.
– weight loss –
– redness around eye socket
– dislike of heat (while she prefers to be in the A/C, I don’t allow it much because it seems to worsen her stamina and overall condition)
-welcomes the chance to go out (as was her pattern to go out “somewhere” every day and she still yearns for it, weak as she is)

Patty has a will to live & has not indicated that she wants to give up. She responds very patiently to all the medical stuff. Her attitude to me seems to be one of cooperation with the understanding that we are trying to help her.

Jul 09, 2013

My Online Vet Response for: Homeopathic Treatment for Advanced Kidney Disease in Dog
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

July 8, 2013

Hi Adele,

Thank you for all of the details!
Putting the information you gave me into a ‘symptom’ format in the repertory:

1. Possessive-clingy
2. Desire for open air
3. Fear of thunderstorms
4. Kidney inflammation with uremia
5. Uremia in general
6. Ill effects of Vaccination
7. Ailments of Pancreas

The top remedies are Arsenicum, Phosphorus, Sulphur and Belladonna.

Arsenicum album fits more of the symptoms, especially for uremia, weight loss/emaciation.

Phosphorus is VERY high for fear of thunder and ailments of pancreas.

Sulphur dislikes heat intensely, and is indicated for ‘ill effects’ from vaccination.

Belladonna is for acute kidney inflammation, red eyes, extreme anger and emotional outbursts.

Therefore, I would start with Arsenicum album 12C. Dissolve one pellet into 2 oz of Spring Water in a glass eye dropper bottle. Give Patty 1/2 eyedropperful by mouth TWO times daily for the next 7-10 days. If no response, move on to the next remedy.

It can be difficult to monitor some subtle improvements, especially since you are also giving Patty quite a few conventional meds. This is one reason why I strongly urge online subscribers to find a ‘local’ holistic veterinarian to take the case. As an ‘in-person’ exam can be more ‘accurate’ than a verbal description.

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

Click here to go back to the Ask a Vet Online Library of questions.