News on Jessie! Best news, her heart is fine. She has a congenital murmur, but bit isn't causing any stress or problems with the rest of the heart. Basically hers just works a little different.
On the kidneys, the official word is renal dysplasia. Basically her kidneys just aren't formed right and aren't working properly. You need at least 33% of kidney capacity to work normally, and she's at about 20-25%. It's something congenital, not a disease or infection. It's not treatable, but it is manageable with special food and some meds.
The thing we still need to figure out is if and how fast it's progressing. If it's not progressing, she'll live a normal lifespan with the treatment we're starting. If it's progressing, that means her kidneys will function less and less well until it's not enough. So that would be a decreased lifespan, but we don't know how much until we know how fast it's progressing. We'll have to test her levels a few more times a few weeks apart to know that.
So overall not fantastic news but much better than I was afraid of and definitely manageable to some degree at least. Thank you everyone for all the POTP! I know it's helped. If anyone has any advice on kidney diets, especially as far as what treats are good, we'd appreciate it.
Ok, not too bad . . . manageable is good. Still crossing Paws for long term management!
ReplyDeleteKeep Calm and Bark On!
Murphy and Stanley
Ok, not too bad . . . manageable is good. Still crossing Paws for long term management!
ReplyDeleteKeep Calm and Bark On!
Murphy and Stanley
The good news is that this is treatable. Years ago we had a dog in kidney failure that was put on a special diet of the Science Diet KD. I'm sure they probably have new ones out now but the treat idea is the same. We used to take a can of "KD" and cut it into treat-size squares and put on a cookie sheet with foil on top. Bake at around 325-350 for about 30-45 minutes. The outside will become very crusty with the inside remaining soft. All our dogs love it and the dog in kidney failure was able to share with the rest of them. We'll keep the POTP going.
ReplyDeleteI meant to say put the foil on the cookie sheet and the treats on top of the foil. Do not cover or they won't get a crust on the outside.
ReplyDeleteWell, at least you have an explanation and some hope. Let's hope it is in the early stages and very manageable. We are sure there must be a renal dysplasia support group out there. Usually those groups are very helpful and full of good information. We are going to cross our paws and hope for all good thing for Jessie.
ReplyDeleteWoos - Ciara and Lightning
That is good news and shows POTP works. But I already knew she had a good heart because she is full of love.
ReplyDeleteAroo to you,
Sully
Good news on her heart and at least da kidneys are manageable. Finley has a congenital heart murmur too.
ReplyDeleteThat is much better news than it could have been and great news on the heart. Abby has to go in to the Vet Saturday for a weird growth on her ear, like any of us, we worry, because we love them.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that your news was better than expected. We will keep all paws crossed that Jessie's kidneys are holding their own. I wonder if kidney transplants are ever done on dogs - it just crossed my mind. POTP to you!
ReplyDeleteJessie, great news about your LOVE muscle, and we're going to believe that your kidneys are just gonna keep working the same way as they are now forever!!
ReplyDelete-Otto
We are so glad that this is something manageable!!
ReplyDeleteSmileys!
Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo
This is good news, its manageable, Jessie yous a wonder pup!!!!! Sending you more POTP fur your test results and lots and lots of luffs and hugs
ReplyDeleteLoves and licky kisses
Princess Leah xxx
So glad to hear. It is not the same thing, our angel cat Bagheera started having kidney issues at aged 15 We put him on Hills k/d diet. In 6 months his kidneys were functioning in the normal range and he lived another 4 years. Hope you find something that works.
ReplyDeleteJessie I hope so much it is that kind without porogress and with a special diet and treatments you will be a happy pup for many many years. Hugs to you all :o)
ReplyDeletefantastice news, and will pray that it progresses very very slowly and for a long life for Jessie. better than what i feared... hugs sweet Jessie
ReplyDeleteOh Jessie and Mom that is great news about her heart, as many have already said on here she has a great and loving heart. We hope you find some help with the kidney issues, I am sure special food will be part of it, we are keeping her in our prayers. Hugs to momma....stella rose and mom
ReplyDeleteWe already KNEW that Jessie had a beautiful ♥ and now know that it is working like it should...
ReplyDeleteNow about the Kidney thingy... we are SURE that Chewy.com will HAVE or be able to GET the kind of KIBBLE that she needs... and OH the suggestion about the TREATS that Amber DaWeenie gave... THAT is wonderful... A dehydrator would do the same thingy... only it could Totally Dry them for Long Shelf life...
We wish there was BETTER news butt we will take THIS and add POTP to it and bet that Everythingy will work out PAWFECTLY.
Manageable is a good word!!! Hopefully the special diet and meds will do the trick and keep the progression slow.
ReplyDeletePug Hugs and POTP
Mr Bailey, Hazel & Mabel
Bentley has a congenital heart murmur and lived an active life for 14 years. We hope the kidney problem is not progressive and you can manage it for a long long time. We'll take this all as pretty good news but keep our paws crossed.
ReplyDeleteThat is pawesome news! We will pray that it does not progress :)
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Bell Fur Zoo
CLAPPPING AND AND SO VERY HAPPY FOR THIS NEWS. MADI HAD 2 KIDNEY ENZYMES THAT WERE JUST A TAD UP A YEAR OR SO AGO.
ReplyDeleteWE CHANGED TO kd FOOD FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS. LO AND BEHOLD THEY WENT BACK TO NORMAL. SO HERE IS HOPING THE FOOD WILL DO THE TRICK. SINCE THEn I HAVE A BLOOD PANEL DONE ON HER EVERY 6 MONTHS JUST TO STAY ON TOP OF THINGS. She will go tomorrow for her 6 month labs.
LOTS OF HUGS CECILIA AND MADI
Continued prayers for sweet Jesse!
ReplyDeleteCammie!
We hope the renal dysplasia hasn't progressed as of yet and that Jessie will live a long and healthy life! Keep us posted. Lots of love and hugs to both of you are being sent your way :)
ReplyDeletethe critters in the cottage xo
We hope the followup tests dont show any progressing.
ReplyDeleteKinda unrelated, but Mommys dad had a kidney that didnt work and a kidney that worked. He lived many years with the right meds. The point is... There is hope. Stay positive.
Our vet recommended a lower protein diet when Serena's numbers weren't good. For cats that is about 30%, as it puts less stress on the kidneys. Serena lost weight, has maintained a healthy weight for the last 2 years and her numbers were normal at the last vet check.
ReplyDeleteNot sure about treats, maybe sweet potatoes?
She's a cutie, hopefully Kidney function will stay the same so she can have a long happy life.
ReplyDelete