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
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
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.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on July 7th, 2017
I'm sorry to hear that Leo's been sick. It sounds like you're seeing some optimistic signs of recovery - if he was previously vomiting profusely and refusing food & water, and now has stopped vomiting and is drinking, that's certainly a turn in the right direction. The only way to tell for sure if he is truly recovering would be to run bloodwork and check his renal blood values, and keep monitoring his bloodwork until it has returned to normal. Additionally, he should ideally be getting fluid therapy from a veterinarian until he has made a complete recovery. This would best be done through hospitalization and an IV catheter, but even subcutaneous fluids (given under the skin) as an outpatient can make a big difference. Fluid support is the best way to support the kidneys after they have suffered any insult. If that's not possible, encourage him to drink as much fluid as possible. You can add a little canned food or chicken broth to water to flavor it a bit, if that will entice him to drink more. I hope this helps, and I hope Leo feels better!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
My dog had renal failure. Few days bavk he not even take a drop of water but with consultant just ice, he licks. And whenever even he smell something he started throwing yellow bile and sometimes orange. But today he drinks water and wanted to eat so
Kody developed renal failure after bladder stone removed 1/26/18. Lethargic. No appetite. Lab on 2/5 results: crea 4.0; bun 53; all 251; ggt 15. Have done few days at home subq IV. fluids. He wouldn't let do today.tried to bit me. When does eat a lit
My dog is in kidney failure. Her ALT 135, ALKP 337, BUN 99 & CREA 4.8 all high. The treatment the vet has her on at home is 100 cc subconscious fluids once a day. She doesn't eat on her own anymore. So I purée a kidney support wet food, pumpkin and
My dog is in end stage Kidney failure. He's been at an emergency hospital on fluids for a few days and will be coming home tomorrow morning. I know this will be his last stretch. I have already prepared a batch of kidney friendly homemade food. W
Chloe has kidney failure and was improving. She started to eat and drink plenty of water. She is no longer listless and is showing more interest in her family and human food. She is very alert and wagging her tail still, but she has gone back to show
My dog is in end stage Kidney failure. He's been at an emergency hospital on fluids for a few days and will be coming home tomorrow morning. I know this will be his last stretch. What can I do to help make him feel good for as long as possible? Is
My dog is 8+ he is a dalmation he is suffering from renal failure... Few days back he stopped eating because of some infection so he was on drips as consulted by one vet she said to give her atleast 1 l per day but other vet saya drips are poison fo
My 14 year old chiweenie has stage 4 kidney disease. He has really declined this weekend after having a seizure on Friday evening. He won't even allow me to open his mouth to put give him almond butter. He is not able to drink water. He got sick to
The vet said my dog has a kidney disease. I dont know bit the test said he is female but he is a male. I dont know know what to do he is not eating and drinking and can hardly get up and i think is leaking pee because the his lower part is always wet
What treatment can be given to a farmer with kidney disease? She eats and drinks well. I was in the hospital 2 days with that diagnosis and they recommended euthanasia but I do not believe in that option ...
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
