Is it normal for dog kidney failure to progress so rapidly?

I'm very sorry to hear about the loss of your dog. Unfortunately, chronic renal failure is a common problem in elderly dogs, and is often in the late stages already by time it's diagnosed. The situation was likely complicated by the fact that your girl also had CHF, because the treatment for renal failure (lots of fluids) is essentially the opposite of what dogs with heart disease need to control their symptoms. So we are often stuck between a rock and a hard place, when it comes to trying to treat dogs who have both of these problems. It sounds like your girl had a wonderful life, to have made it to 17 years old. It doesn't sound like there's anything at all you could have done differently - these are both just bad diseases, that are unfortunately common in older pets. Again, I'm very sorry for your loss.

I'm sorry Boomer is so sick. The SQ fluids will be keeping him hydrated, but IV fluids would be better in that they are absorbed faster. The drugs he is being given are supposed to stop the nausea and stimulate him to eat, but it sounds like they aren't helping at the moment. Unfortunately I don't think there really is much you can do to get him to eat or drink. I'd recommend taking him back into a vet immediately. In my opinion, it sounds like his quality of life is quite poor at the moment, and in all honestly, it may be time to let him go via humane euthanasia. You say yourself he has really declined over the weekend, he can't stand or walk well, and he won't eat or drink. That's a very poor way for a dog to live, and kidney disease is not something that can be cured. I would be afraid you've reached all you can do with him. It's worth taking him into a vet now to discuss his quality of life. I imagine this isn't an answer you want to hear, but honestly is best in these cases. Again, I'm sorry.

It's common for kidney values to improve with aggressive treatment (such as hospitalization for IV fluids). Sometimes they don't improve even with treatment, which would be a bad sign, or sometimes they improve while hospitalized, but don't stay improved. So, I can't get much idea about her prognosis from what they've told you so far. If they are happy with her progress, they will likely discharge her after 1-3 days and then have you come back to have her kidney values checked after a week, which will give you much more information. It's possible they are being vague because they just don't know yet -- it's impossible to know how she'll do out of the hospital. I'd recommend asking them what the next steps are, when she can go home, what treatments she'll need at home, and what the follow up testing will look like. You can also directly ask about prognosis. Wishing you the best of luck

Poor Zola. I am so very sorry she isnt doing well. Unfortunately I do feel that her non response to treatment is a negative prognostic indicator. As far as studies, for a young dog in renal failure, the outcome is not good unfortunately. But it depends on the cause. Did she get in to grapes? Antifreeze? Was she tested for Lepto? I would say to try another 24 to 48 hours and get more information about potential cause of the kidney failure

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Based on the blood results, I am concerned about the kidneys as it looks like Doyle is in renal failure with the high BUN and Creatinine. The anemia and high WBC count are also concerning. The anemia may be due to a chronic infection, the renal failure or auto-immune. I would recommend further testing such as x-rays and abdominal ultrasound. Is it possible that Doyle may have eaten something toxic to cause the renal failure? I would pursue further diagnostic testing to rule other causes out. Run some infectious disease panels such as panels to check for tick borne infections as well. Chronic ehrlichiosis (tick borne disease) can lead to renal failure in some cases as well as the anemia and high WBC count. I hope this helps and hope Doyle gets better soon. You may consider an internal medicine specialist for Doyle as well.

Unfortunately this is a very severe and dramatic presentation and renal failure is not possibly reversed. Healing is unfortunately not possible even though this process can be slowed down. Hospitalisation and fluid therapy is highly recommended and nutritional support is needed.

I'm sorry to hear your dog isn't doing well. No, this isn't normal - if he has been diagnosed with kidney failure then I recommend keeping him hospitalized and on IV fluids until his kidney values improve and he's feeling better and regains his appetite. Sometimes we can turn kidney failure cases around, and sometimes we can't - it really depends on their response to our therapy. Your vet may have not been open for the weekend and therefore had to discharge him Friday, but I recommend looking for the nearest 24 hour emergency vet location if he's still doing poorly, and then potentially transferring him back to your vet Monday morning.