KIDNEY DISEASE IN DOGS
Kidney disease in dogs is a subject near and dear to me. My pup developed kidney disease around 13 years old. I knew the signs and caught it early. Using holistic approaches, she lived a happy, fun life for over 3 years longer. But every day continued to be a challenge keeping her levels maintained.
Know the symptoms and preventative measures. If your pet does develop kidney disease, holistic approaches work great!
The combination of what I did paid off as over time I was able to reverse her symptoms. Some of the protocals I used included acupressure, laser treatments, mild chinese herbs, home cook, Standard Process supplements for renal conditions and energy work. I did a lot of research on diet and did continue to feed protein, but the right proteins. Not all proteins are equal. The proper percentatage of pure proteins at proper levels is critical. It is important to learn what is best to feed and the proper proportions, then follow a strict diet.
If you ever find yourself with a pup experiencing kidney issues, feel free to contact me as I have done a lot of reserach.
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HOLISTIC APPROACH TO KIDNEY DISEASE TREATMENT
Dr .Peter Dobias, DVM
If you have been living with a pet suffering from kidney disease or hope to prevent kidney problems in the future, the following lines are definitely for you because kidney problems are one of the most common conditions diagnosed in cats and dogs.
WHY DOES KIDNEY DISEASE HAPPEN?
A combination of factors mentioned below usually play a role, however, the cause remains often unidentified.
A poor quality diet, especially dried and processed food that absorbs water from the body in order to digest food.
Muscle injury or spinal energy flow decrease in the region of 3rd lumbar vertebra.
Genetic predisposition
Stress
Fear as an emotion is also connected with kidney dysfunction
Toxins – for example from Chinese pet food tainted with melamine and other toxins
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
increased drinking and urination
lack of appetite
vomiting
muscle loss
low energy and general deterioration
many animals may have no symptoms initially
Kidney tissue is composed of very fine and sensitive kidney units that can be compared to amazingly small cups with “a yarn of blood vessels.” These units filtrate blood, eliminate toxins and regulate electrolyte and water balance in the body.
HOW DOES CONVENTIONAL AND HOLISTIC VIEW OF KIDNEY DISEASE DIFFER?
The conventional belief is that the main causes of kidney disease are bacterial infections, poor diet, toxins and genetic predisposition.
While all these are true, holistic practitioners see the health of kidneys dependent on the wellbeing and harmony of every cell in the body.
THE SPINAL ENERGY FLOW IS ESSENTIAL.
Over the years, I have observed that the health of the kidneys is also directly related to a healthy spine, especially in the area of the 3rd lumbar vertebra. Any tightness of muscles and decreased energy flow in this area affects the kidneys.
Back issues such as muscles spasm, injury and stress compromise the kidneys greatly.
THE IMMUNE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE FINELY TUNED.
Poor health, low quality diet, stress and nutritional deficiencies lead to immune system dysfunctions and not recognizing its own body’s tissues such as kidneys, especially when inflamed. Antibodies created against the kidney tissues may create irreversible damage.
HOW MUCH KIDNEY CAPACITY DO ANIMALS NEED TO BE SYMPTOM FREE?
Animals only need about 25% healthy kidney tissue to be free of clinical signs.
What are the symptoms ?
Increased drinking
Increased urination
Increased levels of kidney toxins such as BUN – blood urea nitrogen and Creatinine
Lethargy
Vomiting
Lack of appetite
Bad breath and gum ulceration
WHAT IS THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF ANIMALS DIAGNOSED WITH KIDNEY DISEASE?
I have seen animals live good and full lives for years with kidney disease. The damaged kidney units cannot be regenerated, however the treatment goal is to stop the destructive process and preserve the remaining kidney cells. Ideally this should be done through the use of non-toxic and natural healing solutions.
THE TRUTH ABOUT THE LOW PROTEIN DIET MYTH
The common conventional belief is that kidney disease will make your pet lose weight and deteriorate. When I started practicing, I saw many cats looking like walking skeletons and was taught that these symptoms are a common part of renal disease.
I was not convinced.
I suspected that the “low protein special processed diet” was the main cause of their weight loss. Some people argued that low protein was important in reducing the kidney toxin levels. After years of seeing the same weight loss issues in cats and dogs on low protein diets, I have no doubt that they cause protein starvation which in turn causes faster deterioration than when a high quality protein based diet is fed.
After years of seeing the same weight loss issues in cats and dogs on low protein diets, I have no doubt that they cause protein starvation and faster deterioration than when a high quality protein diet is fed.
A HIGH QUALITY PROTEIN BASED NATURAL DIET IS WHAT NATURE INTENDED.
It took me a few years to dare to go against the conventional recommendations and start suggesting high quality raw protein diets.
All my patients also receive glandular supplements supporting the kidneys and homeopathic remediescarefully matched to the individual nature of each patient.
My experience is that patients with mild or moderate kidney disease maintain good body weight, great energy level and didn’t seem to deteriorate and lived longer than expected when feed a high quality natural diet.
BELOW IS AN EXAMPLE OF A COMMON TREATMENT PROTOCOL THAT I USE IN CATS AND DOGS
DIET
Feed a good variety of high quality proteins, ideally raw.
Do not feed beef, buffalo or bison as they have a higher content of inflammatory factors which affect the immune system function.
Avoid so called low protein kidney or senior commercial diets.
Avoid dry food. Dry food stresses the kidneys by “stealing” water from the rest of the body, creating a persistent state of dehydration.
If you do not want to feed raw, a canned diet is better than dry.
Canned food can never measure up to natural food.
YOUR VETERINARIAN
Ensure that you work with an open minded and experienced practitioner who will support you in your decision to feed a high quality protein diet.
TESTS
Routine chemistry, complete blood count and a urinalysis are essential.
Bacterial culture of the urine should always be done to rule out infections.
An ultrasound will rule out kidney stones or changes in the shape and size of kidney or even a tumor.
HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR KIDNEY DISEASE
Homeopathic remedies bring stability and neutralize the disease energy. Homeopathy takes a life time to learn and working with an experienced animal homeopath is your best choice.
Internet reference is not a sufficient basis for homeopathic prescription and often leads to poor results.
HYDRATION AND FLUID TREATMENT FOR KIDNEY DISEASE
Ensure that your cat or dog is well hydrated. If you pull the skin on the neck and it stays up for longer than 1 second, your pet may be dehydrated.
Simple administration of electrolyte solutions such as Lactated Ringers or Sodium Chloride (0.9%) will help in more advanced stages.
Drinking a lot of water may not help to prevent dehydration.
BACK HEALTH
Check your pets spine especially around the 3rd – 4th lumbar vertebra. This region directly supplies energy meridian flow to the kidneys. Increased heat, inflammation, muscle pain, spasm and sensitivity of this area need to be addressed.
The best techniques for treating the back are physiotherapy, intramuscular needle stimulation (a form of acupuncture technique), osteopathy or a gentle chiropractic treatment and massage are all useful methods.
Ideally, do not use any anti-inflammatory drugs such as Aspirin or Metacam as it is contraindicated in patients with kidney disease.
Conventional prescription of Enalapril, a drug that is medication that modulates the blood pressure is, in my experience, detrimental to the long term prognosis and causes numerous side-effects.
QUALITY TIME
Spend quality time with your pet relaxing or being active.
Good exercise, not too little or too much is a must. Ideally I recommend 2 walks a day for dogs and access to the outdoors or the balcony for cats makes a big difference.
Recheck your pets condition regularly, every 3 – 6 months is a minimum.
Don’t forget to do all you can to look after your own needs. A happy family means happy pets.
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WHAT SUPPLEMENTS DO YOU NEED TO TREAT KIDNEY DISEASE
Glandular supplements for dogs and cats protect the kidney tissue by neutralizing undesirable antibodies against the body’s own kidneys. They also provide necessary nutrients specific to the kidneys.
Administer high quality probiotics like GutSense - that contain beneficial bacteria using excess kidney toxins called urea for their own growth. The result is the blood urea levels
SoulFood for Dogs or Feline Whole Body Support for Cats – these are whole food, natural vitamin supplements.
Green Min for dogs is a whole-food plant based superfood, antioxidant and mineral supplement. Most pets with kidney disease lose minerals through the urine.
