My boy Haydn went in for his neutering today (which was already going to be more complex because he is cryptorchid) and after the vet did the preliminary blood work I got a call because he was showing problems with kidney function. His BUN was normal, but his creatinine levels were slightly elevated (1.5). He was also clinically dehydrated, despite having what the vet called "dilute urine. He only had water after 8:00pm last night to prepare for the surgery.
The vet recommended against doing the surgery, and I felt it was better to play it safe as well. They gave me a prescription diet (Hill's K/D) and a supplement (Missing Link) to help with protein levels and get him some healthy fatty acids.
I have since looked into the food (not at all impressed with reviews) but I haven't checked out the supplement. Haydn has been on Natural Balance (Bison) and has been doing really well. Almost no gas, good stools, etc. I have also recently been giving him some cottage cheese, yogurt or sardines/mackerel with his NB to up his calorie intake (maybe that is causing the problem with protein?). He has also been on a small dose of vitamin C/E to help immune/skin issues which have been recurring. I am planning on stopping these on the vets recommendation, at least for the next few weeks.
As another twist, I am gluten intolerant and my girlfriend is allergic to eggs, so neither the new food nor the supplement are welcome in our house.
What should I do? I'm ok with the small 10lb bag they sent home with me, but I don't think we will continue the diet after that. What should I switch to? I thought Bison was a good quality protein, but is there something grain-free that would be better for his kidney issues?
Hopefully this issue will resolve itself and not get progressively worse. Any and all advice is completely welcome at this point. I just want my handsome boy to be happy and healthy.
The vet recommended against doing the surgery, and I felt it was better to play it safe as well. They gave me a prescription diet (Hill's K/D) and a supplement (Missing Link) to help with protein levels and get him some healthy fatty acids.
I have since looked into the food (not at all impressed with reviews) but I haven't checked out the supplement. Haydn has been on Natural Balance (Bison) and has been doing really well. Almost no gas, good stools, etc. I have also recently been giving him some cottage cheese, yogurt or sardines/mackerel with his NB to up his calorie intake (maybe that is causing the problem with protein?). He has also been on a small dose of vitamin C/E to help immune/skin issues which have been recurring. I am planning on stopping these on the vets recommendation, at least for the next few weeks.
As another twist, I am gluten intolerant and my girlfriend is allergic to eggs, so neither the new food nor the supplement are welcome in our house.
What should I do? I'm ok with the small 10lb bag they sent home with me, but I don't think we will continue the diet after that. What should I switch to? I thought Bison was a good quality protein, but is there something grain-free that would be better for his kidney issues?
Hopefully this issue will resolve itself and not get progressively worse. Any and all advice is completely welcome at this point. I just want my handsome boy to be happy and healthy.
