My two puppies have been on the recalled food (canned Nutro Natural choice chicken, rice, and oatmeal puppy food) and have been very sick with vomiting and bloody watery stools. They have gotten better with veterinary treatment and since they are not on the food, but now one of them is drinking a lot and her urine is clear. does it mean that she is having problems with her kidney's? what are the symptoms of kidney problems?

I have already called the vet, but since it is after hours I am waiting for them to call me back. So please no "go to the vet" replies. there is not a 24 hour clinic in my area, so I have to wait for my vet. I will take her as soon as the vet calls, I am just worried now.

Here are some signs that your pups might be suffering from kidney infection:

Symptoms
• “Squatting” numerous times but not urinating
• Pain when the kidney area is palpitated
• Appearing listless or depressed
• Loss of interest in food
• Weight loss
• Blood in the urine

Kidney Disease in Dogs

Symptoms of Kidney Disease in Dogs

drinking excess amounts of water
frequent urination
dilute urine with little color or order
leakage of urine
vomiting
weight loss
anorexia
lethargy
muscle weakness
elevated BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine
significant protein in the urine
Treatment of Kidney Disease in Dogs

Treatments for the symptoms of kidney disease in dogs include a low protein and low phosphorus prescription diet. The predominant effect of the low protein diet is to minimize production of uremic toxins so that the dog with kidney disease feels better. Low protein diets may help extend life in dogs with kidney disease.

Phosphorus is more important in this regard, since high phosphorus accelerates renal failure, and restricted phosphorus slows it down. K/D is low in phosphorus, so it remains a good food for dogs with kidney disease in this condition. In addition to diet, IV fluids can be administered to correct disturbances created by the retention of uremic toxins. Epogen can be prescribed to treat the anemia of chronic renal failure, resulting in improving the quality, and probably the length of life.

Kidney dialysis for dogs is offered at several veterinary medical sites. The University of California, Davis, Veterinary Medical School is performing kidney transplants, but transplanted kidneys in dogs are commonly rejected, and involve an extraordinary expense and commitment. UC Davis will only do a renal transplant if the red cell cross matching and blood type is a perfect match. and if the tissue typing is also a perfect match.

Recipes for Dogs with Kidney Disease

Dogs with kidney disease may be fed using the following renal diet recipes:

Recipe 1

1 egg, large, cooked
3 cups potato, boiled with skin
1 tablespoon chicken fat
1 1/2 calcium carbonate tablets (600 milligrams calcium)
1/2 mulitple-mineral tablet

Recipe 2

1/4 cup cooked chicken breast
3 cups potato, boiled with skin
2 tablespoons chicken fat
1 1/2 calcium carbonate tablets (600 milligrams calcium)
1/2 multiple vitamin-mineral tablet

Recipe 3

Rice, white, cooked*** 237
Beef, regular, cooked + 78
Egg, large, boiled 20
Bread, white 50
Oil, vegetable 3
Calcium carbonate 1.5
Salt, iodized 0.5
Total 390

Recipe 4

2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
6 Tblsps. low sodium, low fat chicken broth
1/2 cup cold water
1 cup cooked vegetable (green beans, carrots or mixed)

Your puppies are showing signs of possible kidney problems! I watched an in depth interview with a vet on TV talking about the symptoms of kidney troubles and what your puppies are doing were mentioned symptoms. best of luck to you. God Bless!

poor puppy, call different vets so you can get multiple answers and maybe one will call sooner, til then good luck

I think difficulty urinating is one of them. it just depends on whats going on. Drinking a lot and urinating a lot CAN mean a bladder infection although I think that's the least of her worries.

I am a nurse although I dont work with animals clear urine is a good sign the kidneys are working if your pup was not peeing or just a little and it was very dark Id worry even more -when my patients have kidney failure they dont pee and if they do just a small amount and its very dark