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My dog has very high creatinine and kidney damage. What can I do?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Lhasa Apso | Male | 4 lbs

Creatinine level of my dog is very high. 5.9. and he is showing all the symptoms of kidney damage. Lhasa apso 5 yrs old. What can be done?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Davis

Veterinarian

Published on September 3rd, 2017

I expect Crazy is very ill with these values. If this value just happened due to a toxic episode or infection aggressively treating with intravenous fluids and medications for several days may prevent permanent kidney damage. That would require hospitalization. If this is a chronic problem that has been progressing the outcome is not good. You can give fluids and a prescription kidney diet but in my experience these dogs unfortunately do not get better. I hope you can treat Crazy and that he responds. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Crazy.

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Stephanie Echols, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on September 3rd, 2017
I'm sorry to hear Crazy isn't feeling well. In the ideal situation he needs to be in IV fluids to help bring those values down. The fluids will flush the kidneys of the toxins it cannot get rid of since they aren't working properly. In a young dog, a vet needs to find the reason for the kidney failure. Leptospirosis, Addisons, whipworms, and toxins are all things that need to be ruled out. He is not eating because the values are too high, but with IV fluids he will feel better and should be able to eat. I would also recommend anti-nausea medications because of the toxins and feeling badly. At this time, I wouldn't be concerned about him eating the kidney diet I would just want him to eat anything but the fluids are more important. Good luck and kisses to Crazy!
3Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Ann Dion, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on March 2nd, 2019
Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Renal failure is mainly treated with IV fluids, this is NOT poison and is very needed. Go to the vet that recommended IV fluids and put him on fluids.
Also, if he has acute kidney disease compared to chronic kidney disease the treatment will vary.
If his potassium level is very high, then he has an obstruction (blockage) either in his urethra, or in his ureters, and this requires treatment to get the potassium down, but also to relieve the obstruction- usually either by placing a urinary catheter or surgery if it is a ureteral obstruction.

I strongly recommend IV fluids, and checking his potassium. If it is high, you need to look for the obstruction and fix it.
If there is no obstruction and the potassium is high, the only way to get it down is with fluids (even when they contain small volumes of potassium, you need the overall dilution effect and to get the kidneys making pee).

Best of luck with Bugsy! I hope he feels better soon!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Related Questions

My active dog has creatinine 25. Why is she still so energetic?

Hello. it looks a lot like an acute toxicity, probably something she ingested as the liver enzymes are very high as well. i don't know how long it has been like this, but the longer these levels remain the less chances of survival. i believe she needs to be on fluid therapy in the hospital 24/7 and hope for the best.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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What should I do for my dog with high creatinine and kidney issues?

Pets with renal disease need to eat a special dog food aimed at reducing the work load on the kidneys. Hill Science Diet and Royal Canin both make special formulas for this condition. Some of these pets need intravenous fluids for up to three days. Some of them need supportive care in the form of subcutaneous fluids, anti-acids and antivomiting medications. If she is leaking protein in her urine, she also needs a medication to stop this. Consulting with you local veterinarian will give you the best guidance as to what Soffiya needs based upon her physical exam and clinical signs. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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My dog has belly fluid and high creatinine. Is it serious? What's next?

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. With an elevated kidney value (creatinine) and fluid in the abdomen, I would be worried about protein loss (albumin) through the kidneys, resulting in decreased oncotic pressure within the vessels of the body. This is called a protein-losing nephropathy (PLN). This can result in fluid leakage out of the vessels and into the abdomen. But, without knowing what the type of fluid is in the belly, it is difficult to know what the true cause is. The best option would be to have a sample of this fluid analyzed, and an ultrasound of his abdomen to be performed, and a urinalysis + urine protein:creatinine ratio performed. A creatinine of 4.1 is quite high, so Ludo likely has a component of acute kidney injury. He would benefit from further workup by a veterinarian to best understand his underlying disease process, and therefore what his prognosis is. I hope this is helpful - best of luck with Ludo!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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My dog has a small kidney and high creatinine. How long will she live?

There is no way to be able to tell how long she will live however you can significantly prolong Linda's life with feeding her a kidney diet, such as from Hill's Science Diets or Royal Canine kidney diet. A Creatinine level of 2.0 is not yet alarming, just slightly high.There are other kidney parameters to check such as Blood urea nitrogen and Phosphates, and if they are within the normal values, I would not worry too much about CREA 2.0. Feed a kidney diet and that should be beneficial.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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Should my dog get IV fluids for high kidney and creatinine levels?

Creatinine and BUN are the two main kidney values measured with blood chemistry panels. Yes, it is very common to track changes in these values (as well as many others, including electrolytes) during IV fluid therapy, particularly if they were high to begin with. I hope that all goes well for Augie!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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My dog has high BUN and creatinine. How to lower kidney levels?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Linda. I would stop feeding any treats and keep her strictly on the kidney diet. She should have her blood pressure checked and a urinalysis done to look for extra protein in the urine. Both are common with kidney disease. There are medications that she can take that will help both conditions if necessary. This will slow further progression of her disease. Depending on her results, I will add a potassium supplement (if her potassium is low) or a phosphate binder (if her phosphorus is high). These things will help her to feel good for as long as possible. Always ensure she drinks plenty of water. I hope this information helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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My dog has high creatinine, blood on penis. Is it serious CKD?

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Creatinine level is very high, which is consistent with stage 4 renal failure. Kidney failure in dogs could be related to kidney tumor, but it is not the most common cause. More often renal failure results from kidney infection, kidney stones, intoxication, age-related gradual loss of renal function. The blood results shows not only renal failure but also infection with Babesia and Microfilaria. Babesia can produce renal damage in dogs and, if not treated yet, this should be addressed as soon as possible. Sindo should have kidneys and bladder ultrasound scan, urine analysis and blood pressure checked to fully assess function of the urinary tract. Please, get back to your vet to make sure Sindo has had the treatment for Babesia infection and to discuss further investigation and treatment. Intravenous fluids should be definitely continued daily.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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