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Dog kidney failure: What home care for weakness, appetite, hydration?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | unneutered | 1 year old | 11.0231 lbs

Leo was given Lasix around 150ml through saline. Blood reports says creatinine - 9.3 which is very high and wbc is also high. Vet says kidney failure. He was not able to pee and poop. But from today after few injections and saline he has started pooping and peeing but finds hard to eliminate. As a pet owner wat extra care shld we take of him at home other that medical treatment. He has became very week and lost in appetite. Please suggest

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Anna M., DVM

Veterinarian

Published on September 2nd, 2017

Hello, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I'm sorry to hear about Leo. The most important part of treatment when an animal has kidney failure is to give adequate fluids. It would be best to keep Leo at the vet to stay on IV fluids until his creatinine comes down - if the kidneys are not receiving adequate fluids, you are not likely to get him to improve. If you must have him home, then ask your vet if they would be comfortable teaching you how to give subcutaneous fluids at home (injecting an appropriate amount of saline under the skin) to help him stay hydrated and keep flushing his kidneys. If he is eating, then you can add extra water to his food to encourage more fluid intake. However, if he's not eating, he REALLY needs to continue getting fluids, either intravenously at the vet or subcutaneously at home. If neither of these is an option, and he's not eating, then unfortunately euthanasia should be considered. I hope this helps, and again I'm sorry Leo isn't doing well.

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