Digby's Owner
Bakersfield, California
Posts:17
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| 07/29/2008 4:02 PM |
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I wish I was posting a fun question that could be answered by every member on this board. Unfortunately I have a VERY SERIOUS issue that I need help with;
Last Tuesday, our dog trainer noticed that Digby (6 months) was having frequent urination. I immedaitely took her to our vet to be examined. The examination revealed that instead of a minor bladder/kindey ailment it appears to be something much more serious. The doctor has done a complete blood analysis, x-rays, sonigram, urine analysis and kidney bioposy. The initial diagnosis was a kidney disease that could be treatred with antibiotics. After the biopsy sample failed to grow anything the doctor(s) are perplexed. The doctors are now sending their findings down to All Care Animal Hospital in Fourntain Valley California for a 2nd opinion. Unless this review renders a new idea, the remaining option is to do exploratory surgery to determine if the deterioration of the kidney could be linked to the auto-immune system. If this is the case then their is a treatment option.
As a 1st time GSP owner, I am curious if kidney ailments are commonplace in the breed? Has anyone else seen or heard of a similar issue within the breed? My wife and I are desperate to try and find a cure to this ailment.
Thanks
Marc |
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Pointer Fan
Westminster, Colorado
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Posts:954
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| 07/29/2008 5:23 PM |
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| I don't remember if my rescue dog had kidney problems or not---lord knows she had everything else because of an auto immune problem. Spaying actually solved her problem after we got her healthy enough to do it. |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
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Posts:7834
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amos1
Posts:3
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| 07/30/2008 11:04 AM |
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Has your vet checked to see if your dog has diabetes insipidus.The pituatary gland wont let your dog concentrate his urine so it causes fequent urination. My dog has it and it is not the most tested for disease.Good thing is aslong as it has plenty of water and a place to pee it should be ok.It is also a human disease.Google it. |
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Digby's Owner
Bakersfield, California
Posts:17
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| 07/30/2008 12:29 PM |
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Thanks for the suggestions. I will be meeting with the vet on Friday and ask him about these other diseases.
I was confident that if I posted my question, someone would have suggestions on the possible illness/ultimate cure. It is very difficult to accept when doctors (Science) can't pinpoint the problem to something that you want fixed in the worst way.
Thanks
Marc |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
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Posts:7834
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prairiefire
Western Wisconsin
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Posts:409
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| 07/31/2008 8:08 PM |
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I sincerely hope the vets can figure this out quickly. There's nothing worse than running through a diagnostic check-list and not finding any answers.
We're thinking of you! |
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Digby's Owner
Bakersfield, California
Posts:17
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| 08/01/2008 10:21 AM |
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| Thanks for everyones kind wishes. I will let you know what the vet determines. |
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wgspr rescue
Milwaukee, WI
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Posts:630
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| 08/01/2008 3:13 PM |
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| We had a rescue die of kidney failure from Accute Lymes before his third birthday. Never suspected Lymes. |
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Lisa C. Rossman
WI GSP Rescue, Inc (wgspr.com)
"Until there are none, rescue just one!"
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hjackson
West Mansfield, Oh
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Posts:131
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| 08/04/2008 2:30 PM |
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| is she spayed? |
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~ Heather
neverbendgundogs.angelfire.com |
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Digby's Owner
Bakersfield, California
Posts:17
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| 08/04/2008 3:11 PM |
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Heather - She was spayed about 4 weeks ago.
Over the weekend I did some on-line research and determined that UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine operates two West Coast hopsitals that have an entire section dedicated towards kidney ailments. I have requested that my vet send them the results of all testing so that they could weigh in on the possible issues. Hopfully in two or three days we will have some answers. |
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hjackson
West Mansfield, Oh
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Posts:131
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| 08/04/2008 8:11 PM |
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did the frequent urinating start after the spay?
I had a pup I sold went through something similar - her vet told her the dog had kidney disease - I had them bring the pup to my vet - it took a few months to figure out what was going on but the vet left a piece of the ovary and when they went in and respayed her - the "kidney problems" stopped. Just another thought.
Also spaying can cause weakened bladder and problems - had it happen to one of my girls - not fun. Just throwing some ideas out.
I hope it isn't anything serious. I'll be thining positive thoughts!!!
Also find out if the pup was on medication at the breeders before you brought her home.
There are some meds that should not be used in puppies that can cause kideny problems later on in life |
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~ Heather
neverbendgundogs.angelfire.com |
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WildRose
Seymour Texas
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Posts:471
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| 08/05/2008 4:04 PM |
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The first thing I'd suggest is to call your breeder and find out if there is any form of kidney disease known to exist in the line. One could save a whole lot of expensive testing if there is and you know what to look for.
My question is this. What abnormalities are showing up in the urine and blood work to trigger this diagnosis?
The most common cause of kidney failure is poison, specifically anti-freeze. A young dog licking up even a few cc's could have permanent kidney damage. CR |
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There's a reason I like dogs better'n people... . |
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Digby's Owner
Bakersfield, California
Posts:17
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| 08/06/2008 11:12 AM |
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I am tracking down the breeder at the moment. I don't know how much information she will be able to provide because she adopted the female at 4 years of age. I will get the information about any medicine that they gave Digby during the 7 weeks they raised her.
According to my (novice) review the test results the following seem to be out of the normal ranges;
Phosphorous - 6.8 (range 2.5-6.0)
Specific Gravity - 1.011 (range 1.015-1.050)
No growth on the solid media in either 24 or 48 hours.
In hindshight Digby's urination has always been a little unusual. We frequently commented that she was so excited to "get on with the activity" that she never seemed to take the time to empty her bladder, so she would always go after the activity started. One obersavation that I have recently noticed is that during the first 10 weeks her urine was discoloring the grass. Over the last 7(?) weeks this has not been the case.
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hjackson
West Mansfield, Oh
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Posts:131
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| 08/06/2008 1:05 PM |
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what are you feeding her?
She may just be normal for a puppy.
I have some puppies the urinate more frequently then others
if her tests are all in the normal range
is she leaking when she is sleeping? is there an odor to it? |
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~ Heather
neverbendgundogs.angelfire.com |
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Digby's Owner
Bakersfield, California
Posts:17
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| 08/06/2008 1:24 PM |
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We have been feeding IAMs puupy food. The doctor has now changed the food to 1/3 IAM Puppy and 2/3 Eukanuba adult.
I have not noticed any leaking when she sleeps. No odor. The urine is very clear. |
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hjackson
West Mansfield, Oh
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Posts:131
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| 08/06/2008 7:28 PM |
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was her blood work normal too?
what exactly let your vet to the diagnose of the kidney disease
If you are interested I can put you intouch with someone that is really good at helping people with dogs with kidney problems |
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~ Heather
neverbendgundogs.angelfire.com |
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Digby's Owner
Bakersfield, California
Posts:17
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| 08/07/2008 11:52 AM |
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Heather - my review of the blood test results seem to suggest that the items they tested fall within the accpetable ranges. The determination of the kidney's being a problem largely stems from analysis of the urnine and the xrays/sonigram.
Last night I had a conversation with our primary vet regarding the results of the radiologists review of the xrays and sonigram. Our vet had previously detected some enlargment of the heart but he dismissed this as a secondary issue because he felt the kidney issue was more serious. The radiologist feels that the heart is enlarged which is causing inflammation of the lungs. He concurs that the kidneys are not developing at a rate that will keep pace with Digby's development.
Our vet, who was disappointed that we sought a 2nd opinion, was very blunt with his opinion; He told me that if Digby was his dog, he would put her down immediately. He further told me that "unless you are made of money you are wasting your time and energy on this dog". As the pets' owner this is difficult to hear, but my wife and I both realize that her time with us is going to be cut short.
Our goal at this point is to determine what is the best way to maintain her current quality of life until such time come that she begins to suffer. If anyone sees her that is not familiar with her current health issues you would think she was the picture of health. She runs and plays non-stop with her newly adopted (rescued) 15 month old brother GSP all day.
Despite our vets disappointment with our efforts to involve UC Davis in Digby's medical care, we are going to proceed forward with their opinion and suggestions on how to manage her current quality of life. |
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hjackson
West Mansfield, Oh
MH
Posts:131
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| 08/07/2008 11:58 AM |
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I'm very sorry to hear your vet treated you that way!
They should be happy that seeked a second opinion. I know my vet that I worked for would not have reacted that way. I'm glad you are going to go ahead with UC Davis.
To me it just seems weird that all her tests are within normal range. I would be very interested in what the outcome is. If you need to talk - I am all ears =)
also I can send you an email address and a phone to someone that you can bend an ear on that is very familar with what you are through. There is also an yahoo email group called k9 kidney that would be very helpful for you. |
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~ Heather
neverbendgundogs.angelfire.com |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
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Posts:7834
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