[Terry Thomas]

My dog Sammy will be 10 in May. Back in September my Vet (In whom I am loosing confidence) did a blood workup prior to some intended dental work. We got back an abnormal Renal Profile and have done a few more since the. X-rays following the first profile only show one kidney. Sammy's outward health, attitude, appetite, etc.. remain excellent.
Renal Profile 9/27/2006 BUN - 32 Creatinine - 1.9 Urinalysis SG 1.014
Renal Profile 10/25/2006 BUN - 29 Creatinine - 1.7
Renal Profile 11/29/2006 BUN - 29 Creatinine - 1.7
Renal Profile 3/21/2007 BUN - 43 Creatinine - Creatinine 2.0 Urinalysis SG 1.013

We never took a blood workup on Sammy prior to September of 06. Most of Sammy life he has eaten Eukanuba Lamb & Rice. About 8 months ago we switched to Timberline Elk & Salmon. Current plan is to switch back to Eukanuba Lamb & Rice and do another blood workup in one month. We've also been discussing putting him on a renal diet which is hard to come by especially when traveling, is expensive and seems really low in protein. A home prepared diet is pretty much out of the question. Should we be doing other diagnostic work? How serious are these numbers?

Thanks for any input.

 

[ErinsEdge]

Have a protein/creatinine ratio done, phosphorus. I would consider a renal diet. Most Vets I would think would get it for you if you have a prescription from your vet when traveling or carry the food in a container.

 

[NateB]

As Nancy said. what are the phos levels? The urine SG shows a lack of concentration and that is usually the first thing to go in renal disease. However some dogs drink enough to create dilute urine. I was concerned about a pup I had once urinating a ton and drinking a lot. So I tested her and kept her with me at work without water and in 12 hours her urine was significantly concentrated. Telling me she was fine, just a big drinker.

The final BUN you reported 43 is likely a significant elevation. But a lot depends on the phos levels. Renal diets are lower in protein but have adequate protein for most biological needs. Excess protein becomes BUN, so less excess protein means less BUN that needs to be excreted. But renal diets do not slow progress of the disease. Controlling phos levels and many other items (ie calicitrol, blood pressure, excessive loss of protein in the urine) in chronic renal insufficiency can slow the progress of the disease. Most renal diets are also decreased in Phos level and enhanced in Potassium which renal animals tend to waste.

Of course other problems needs to be ruled out but my comments are based on renal disease. Talk to your vet about the topics I mentioned and if you are not comfortable ask for a referral to a internal medicine specialist.
Best of luck

 

[Terry Thomas]

Thank you both.
He has been the biggest water drinker of all my dogs all his life.
I don't have Protein/Phosphorus ratios but I do have total protein and Phosphorus.
9/27/2006 Total Protein 6.5 Phosphorus 3.8
10/25/2006 Total Protein 6.4 Phosphorus 3.3
11/29/2006 Total Protein 6.2 Phosphorus 3.6
3/21/2007 Total Protein 6.1 Phosphorus 4.2
Are the ratios you refer to just a division of Total Protein by Phosphorus?