Feeling Better with Kidney Failure, Part 2 by Shelley R. Epstein, VMD, CVH

In Part 1 from last November, we discussed the changes that occur in your pet when kidney failure sets in. We also discussed many of the treatments that we utilize to address these changes.

In Part 2, we will focus on more of the natural options for treating kidney failure in dogs and cats.

Diet

Many misconceptions abound when it comes to feeding dogs and cats with kidney failure. The typical diet that is prescribed for dogs and cats with kidney failure utilizes a lowered protein content and is restricted in phosphorus, which is found in the muscle meats that our dogs and cats need to eat. The idea behind these diets is that the metabolic by-products of these meats can’t be cleared as well from the body by the failing kidneys. The by-products build up in the bloodstream and are called “uremic toxins.” It is these by-products that cause the animals to be nauseous and lose their appetites.

The first misconception is that by limiting the protein content of the diet before kidney failure sets in, we can prevent kidney failure. This is NOT true for dogs and cats! The original studies were done in mice and, well, dogs and cats have proven to not be mice!

The second misconception is that by putting your dog or cat on this diet as soon as kidney failure is diagnosed, you can slow the progression of the kidney failure. This is also not true. These protein-restricted diets just decrease the build-up of those uremic toxins…and in early kidney failure, this build-up is so minimal that its effects usually are minimal. BUT, our carnivorous pets, especially our cats, need these proteins, and you may be causing more harm than good by restricting the protein before it’s really necessary.

Anecdotally, from my observations, cats that are on a raw diet seem to look and feel better while in kidney failure. I don’t know why this is, but I think it might have something to do with the cat’s ability to better digest and assimilate the foods that are in the natural (raw) form. Perhaps it’s also the high quality source of protein they are ingesting that makes them feel better overall.

Fish oil (for omega 3 fatty acids: EPA and DHA) is considered anti-inflammatory and may benefit patients with inflammation leading to kidney failure. It can’t hurt.

Acupuncture

By inserting tiny needles into acupoints, acupuncture can increase the circulation through the kidneys, relieve pain associated with some forms of kidney failure, and possibly decrease the elevated blood pressure that some patients experience. Our patients that receive acupuncture for kidney disease often feel a lot better, even if their kidney blood values don’t seem to be decreasing. Chinese herbs can be used in conjunction with acupuncture to improve the kidney function and make the patient feel better.

For more information on acupuncture at WAH, visit: http://wilmingtonanimalhospital.com/services_acupuncture.php

Homeopathy

Homeopathic remedies are used to treat a wide range of conditions. There are literally hundreds of remedies that can be used to help a dog or cat with kidney failure. The specific remedy for each dog and cat is selected based on the totality of their disease symptoms. These symptoms can include mental, emotional, as well as physical signs. To read more about homeopathic treatment at WAH, visit: http://wilmingtonanimalhospital.com/services_homeopathy.php

If your pet is in renal failure and you’d like to consider conventional as well as natural options for helping him, please give us a call at (302) 762-2694. For more information on our practice, visit: http://wilmingtonanimalhospital.com/index.php.