Greyhounds can be misdiagnosed with kidney issues, because their CREAT and BUN levels run higher than other dogs. Please give your vet a copy of Dr. Stack the Deck for Greyt Health, or print out the Bloodwork information on our site to give to your vet.
If you truly have a hound with kidney disease, SubQ fluids, diet and proper supplements will help. Proteins (like eggs and dairy), with low phosphorous levels, are good. A raw diet or home cooked meal is best. Prescription kibble – the pits.
Slippery Elm made into a gel will soothe the intestinal tract. Milk Thistle and other supportive supplements for the kidney and liver can help too. Digestive Enzymes help with processing of nutrients. Probiotics to support good bacteria in gut. At advanced stages, SubQ fluids are key, and easy to give at home. Here are some good links with information:
McDowells Kidney Health in Greyhounds – herbal
From Stacy Pober: There are three types of renal disease. Acute Renal Disease, Chronic Renal Disease and Inherited Renal Disease.
ACUTE RENAL DISEASE is a kidney disorder that occurs suddenly. Possible causes include bacterial infections, drug toxicities form substances such as gentamiacin, or poison such as antifreeze. Regardless of the cause the kidneys rapidly lose the ability to function properly. Many symptoms of renal disease are caused by toxic nitrogen levels in the bloodstream and is referred to as uremia. Signs of uremia include mouth ulcers, vomiting, seizures, diarrhea, bleeding disorders and depression. Diseased kidneys cannot conserve normal amounts or water nor can they excrete excess nitrogen. Body fluids are lost causing dehydration. Any kidney disorder is considered serious but because most cases of ACUTE renal disease have known causes treatment is usually successful. Once the cause has been identified IV fluids may be necessary to flush out the kidneys.
CHRONIC RENAL DISEASE often has no identifiable cause. It is generally related to aging and is a simple deterioration and loss of filtration area within the kidney. These areas are called glomeruli. When a significant proportion of the glomeruli die or a re injured there may not be enough left to remove normal wastes from the bloodstream, therefore toxic levels of these substances develop within the body. The kidneys can no longer conserve water so abnormally large amounts of urine are produced and water is lost from the body. Unlike acute renal disease the signs of chronic renal disease develop slowly over time. Because the kidneys can no longer conserve water there will be increased urination both in frequency and volume. In an effort to compensate and keep the body hydrated the patient will consume larger quantities of water. In the early stages of the disease the nitrogen levels may or may not be elevated in the bloodstream. Kidney can lose over 75% of their function before they are no longer able to detoxify the body. In addition to uremia mouth ulcers may develop as well as weight loss, muscle wasting, poor appetite, depression, bleeding disorders, increased thirst and urination and possible seizures. There may also be a decreased production of red blood cells, thereby creating anemia. Most cases of chronic renal disease and failure are not reversible. The kidneys have simply worn out. Low protein diets may help reduce the nitrogen intake therefore reducing the work load of the kidneys.
INHERITED RENAL DISEASE frequently affects patients 5 years of age and younger. Unlike Chronic renal disease in older patients it is not a degeneration of the kidney tissue, but a failure of the kidneys to develop and mature normally. Inherited Renal Disease has been very well documented, especially in the following breeds: Rotties, Samoyeds, Beagles, Mini Schnauzers, Shih Tzu, German Shepherds, Dobermans, Chow Chows, Carin Terriers, Bulldogs, Elkhounds and Std Poodles. Individuals from any breed may be involved but the listed breeds are the most commonly diagnosed.
The symptoms are the same as patients suffering from Chronic Renal Disease however the age of onset is much younger. Patients with Inherited Renal Disease fail to thrive and live shorter life spans and severely affected dogs usually die before one year of age. THERE IS NO CURE FOR INHERITED RENAL DISEASE. Low protein diets are fed to help decrease the work of the failing kidneys. Patients with a history of inherited renal disease should NEVER be utilized in a breeding program. A careful evaluation of the history of the parents, grandparents and siblings should be considered. Animals with a history of producing offspring with inherited renal disease should not be
bred again. As an aside a high protein diet maybe harder for failing kidneys to deal with but high protein diets do NOT cause renal disease.
I am not a vet and the above is a compilation of all the information I have found.