[ILuvMyDog]

My puppy was recently diagnosed with renal dysplasia and it has since been a lot of ups and downs. Especially with the fact that he is so young. Anyone familiar with this disease? Any tips or suggestions? All of the canned prescription diets are awful and he doesn't like them. Any homemade diets? Success stories?

[Mr. Vega]

Originally Posted by ILuvMyDog

My puppy was recently diagnosed with renal dysplasia and it has since been a lot of ups and downs. Especially with the fact that he is so young. Anyone familiar with this disease? Any tips or suggestions? All of the canned prescription diets are awful and he doesn't like them. Any homemade diets? Success stories?

I'm very sorry about your pup. I'm guessing from the disease it's either a Shih Tzu or Lhasa Apso - I think it has occured in other breeds but I've only seen it in those since they're predisposed. I am not aware of any special homemade diets. The only renal diets I know of are made my Purina and Hills - I'm sure I'll get blasted for mentioning those two names on here but, I don't see other branks making specialized renal diets.

The disease - if congenital renal dysplasia is going to be diagnosed, it will almost always be in a young pup. I'm guessing yours was always drinking and urinating and probably deyhydrated all the time - typical presentation. I can not even come close to giving you a definitive prognosis since there's no way for me to see what your pup's kidneys look like. Best plan? See a small animal internal medicine specialist and get a small animal radiologist to do some abdominal ultrasound to get a good look at both kidneys. The US will allow exact measurement of the kidneys as well as allow for visualization of renal blood flow (assuming their US machine has what we call "color doppler" - you may have to visit a vet school for some of this).

What I can do is be straight with you - I've seen Lhasas and Shih tzus make it well into adulthood with this disease, but, I've also seen many not make it past 6-9 months. It all depends on how severe the disease it is. Which, for me, stresses the importance of having the kidneys evaluated by internal medicine/radiology specialists.

[Mr. Vega]

btw, if you have unanswered questions about the disease just ask?

Also, I'll try and find out about homemade renal diets.

[mrandrei]

Milk thistle should be given to dogs with renal displasia to help protect the kidneys from additional damage. It is a powerful antioxidant and should aid in eliminating toxins from the kidneys.

[ILuvMyDog]

Originally Posted by Mr. Vega

Also, I'll try and find out about homemade renal diets.

Thank you for your help!

Originally Posted by mrandrei

Milk thistle should be given to dogs with renal displasia to help protect the kidneys from additional damage. It is a powerful antioxidant and should aid in eliminating toxins from the kidneys.

I will definitely look into Milk Thistle, haven't heard anything about it yet but thanks for the information.

[ntrep]

I don't know anything specifically about renal dysplasia, but my darling 15year old English setter died of renal failure 2 months ago. I was directed to 2 yahoo groups by someone on this site

K9Kidneys and K9Kidneydiet

they are filled with info and people who know tons about renal dogs.

Nancy

[cherylmartin]

Join a group at Yahoo-K9kidney. They have a wealth of knowledge from experience and will help you thru this dreadful disease.

My thoughts and prayers are of you.

Cheryl and Angel Jasmine