Kelly & Oscar
Very Active Member
My drooler has just been diagnosed with the beginnings of kidney failure this week. I won't be able to pick up the blood work numbers until Monday, but I know her creatinine is slightly out of range and her BUN is definitely out of range, but not horribly high. Our vet did not say anything about her potassium, phosphorous, or calcium levels, so I assume they are ok. As it turns out, my mom's dog has also been diagnosed with the same thing with approximately the same levels this week too.
Since most of the info out there is for cats (at least most of the more comprehensive info), I have been doing a lot of reading on the cat crf sites.
I don't want to use the prescription renal diets since I believe they will cause malnutrition due to lack of adequate quality protein. I have already purchased some wet food that is slightly lower in protein than the Orijen food I have been feeding her, but I am torn about using a phosphorus binder. From what I am reading, the newer research is indicating that lower phosphorus may be more important than lower protein. If her phosphorus levels are not elevated, should we still add a phosphorus binder?
If we do add a phosphorus binder - which one do we choose? I have read about SO many kinds. Which ones are used more than others? Which ones are recommended the most?
Since most of the info out there is for cats (at least most of the more comprehensive info), I have been doing a lot of reading on the cat crf sites.
I don't want to use the prescription renal diets since I believe they will cause malnutrition due to lack of adequate quality protein. I have already purchased some wet food that is slightly lower in protein than the Orijen food I have been feeding her, but I am torn about using a phosphorus binder. From what I am reading, the newer research is indicating that lower phosphorus may be more important than lower protein. If her phosphorus levels are not elevated, should we still add a phosphorus binder?
If we do add a phosphorus binder - which one do we choose? I have read about SO many kinds. Which ones are used more than others? Which ones are recommended the most?
