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Kidney Failure in Cats & Dogs
Early signs: increased thirst, frequent urination with large quantities of pale urine, inability to hold urine all night, occasional periods of low energy, lack of appetite and nausea or vomiting that last for a few days at a time, repeated attacks of bladder inflammation (cystitis).
Late signs: skin irritations and eruptions, uremia (blood poisoning), low energy, frequent vomiting, dehydration, complete loss of appetite, foul breath, possible inflammation or ulcers of the mouth.
At this point 60-70% of the kidney tissue has been destroyed and cannot be regained. The kidneys overcompensate for this by pushing fluids faster through the body, resulting in loss of water, nutrients and essential salts.
Treatment:
Provide: mild exercise, fresh air, sun, filtered or bottled water at all times, regular brushing of coat and skin.
Avoid: cigarette smoke, chemicalized or chlorinated water, commercial foods, stress, excessive heat, chemical products, car fumes and polluted environments.
Nutrition: Main goal is to reduce metabolic wastes (excess protein, phosphorus and sodium).
- Feed a minimum amount of quality protein.
- Replace water-soluble vitamins, especially the B and C vitamins, and Vitamin A.
- Feed a calcium supplement. (lactate, gluconate or chelated calcium-avoid added phosphorus) Use ¾ teaspoon for cats and 1/3 tsp for dogs.
- Avoid diets low in ash.
- Use herbs such as marshmallow, cornsilk, alfalfa, uva ursi, dandelion etc.
Feline Diet For Kidney Problems:
1 1/3 cups ground chicken, turkey or lean heart
4 cups cooked white rice, enriched
4 eggs
2 tbsp cold-pressed safflower, soy, corn oil
1,500 mg calcium
1/8 tsp iodized salt
1 tsp parsley, fine grated carrot or vegetable
5,000 IU vitamin A
taurine and other cat vits. (5 day’s worth)
50 mg B complex. (10 mg per day)
2,500 mg vitamin C
Mix everything together in a bowl. Serve raw if cat will eat it. If not bake everything but the vitamins for 20 minutes, moderate oven. When cool add vitamins. Feed as much as your cat will eat.(5-6 day supply).
Canine Diet For Kidney Problems:
½ cup regular fat hamburger
2 ¾ cups cooked white rice, enriched
1 egg
2 tbsp cold-pressed safflower, soy, corn oil
600 mg calcium
1/8 iodized salt
2 tbsp parsley, fine grated carrot or veggie.
½-1 clove garlic, minced (for flavor)
Dog vitamins (look at label)
20 mg B complex
5,000 IU vitamin A
1,000 mg vitamin C
Mix everything together in a bowl. Serve raw if dog will eat it. If not bake everything but the vitamins for 20 minutes, moderate oven. When cool add vitamins. Feed as much as your dog will eat.
Information from Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to NATURAL HEALTH for DOGS & CATS
To schedule a Health & Wellness consultation for your pet, call Kelley at (802) 893-0521.
