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Lindsay Butzer, DVM
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Dr. Lindsay Butzer
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Lindsay Butzer, DVM
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Showing 1 - 15 of 100
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01
DateJan 30, 2023
CategoryKidney Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicWEIGHT LOSS
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Question:

Our Sheltie is 15, in great health but has been on 2 brands of kidney support dry food for over a year. She's not fond of eating those and so she's losing weight slowly. What can we feed her that won't hurt her kidneys or conflict with kidney support food?

Answer:

Hey! Im so sorry to hear this! I have herding breeds myself called Lapponian Herders. 15 years old is amazing! For your Sheltie with kidney disease, don't stress out so much about the diet, but make sure she is eating and getting calories. At a certain point it is going to be about quality of life. You want her to eat anything to keep weight on. You can feed her boiled rice and turkey (lower in protein) and see if she will eat that. Or try other prescription Kidney diets that are from Blue Buffalo and try Wet food which is more enticing. I hope this helps! Dr. Lindsay Butzer

02
DateJan 14, 2023
CategoryKidney Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicKidney disease
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Question:

My dog has kidney failure from Lyme, vet suggested we put him down because he’s suffering, he’s only 4 years old, but we can’t afford the treatments, is there any medicine that would help him live a little longer? He is very active still, the only thing is he won’t eat very much. He will eat meat nothing else

Answer:

Hey! I am very sorry, Lyme disease in the end stages is bad and most people do elect humane euthanasia in regards to their pets quality of life. There is no medicine other than supportive care and hospitalization that can help him live longer. I am so sorry! Feed him whatever he will eat. ~ Dr. Lindsay Butzer

03
DateDec 23, 2022
CategoryKidney Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicNeed grain free/ kidney disease wet food and treats
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Question:

My dog was just diagnosed with kidney disease. I’m having trouble finding grain free/ wet food, because it’s sold out or out of stock everywhere. My dog is super picky eater. Help!

Answer:

Hey! I don't think you particularly need grain free diet? But If you do I don't have a particular kidney diet that is grain free. Grains are safe for dogs to eat, so I would not get caught up only looking for grain free. Grain free also can cause heart disease? So please consider a safe regular diet for kidney disease that is lower in protein for the kidneys. PetMeds sells Blue Buffalo Natural KS kidney support diet. Ill put the link below to shop online to get it shipped to your door. I hope this helps! Dr. Lindsay Butzer https://www.1800petmeds.com/blue+natural+veterinary+diet+ks+kidney+support+dry+dog+food-prod61203.html

04
DateNov 3, 2022
CategoryKidney Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicFood and supplements
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Question:

My dog has kidney issues and I want to put him on some supplements to help him have a healthier lifestyle as much as we can. He’s also a super picky eater but I think because he gets noxious , what else can I do to help him ?

Answer:

Here is a direct link to our article about treating kidney disease, with many treatment options, both over-the-counter and prescription and a section about supplements: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/kidney-disease-treatment-dog-cat-31.html

05
DateNov 3, 2022
CategoryKidney Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicNutrition - Kidney Disease
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Question:

Hello! Just a short question -- We have a small senior dog with early stage kidney disease. We have switched over to a KD wet food, but she sometimes eats some of the dry cat food. The cat food is has recently been changed to Hills Diet KD food as well (we have two senior cats with kidney disease). So my main ask is: Is it OK for a dog with KD to ingest Hills Diet FELINE KD kibble as part of their normal diet? Or should we ensure she doesn't have any access to it? Majority of what she is eating is her own KD food.

Answer:

Since cats have a higher protein requirement, their food is higher in protein, so no, it's probably not ideal, but consult your veterinarian, who has access to her bloodwork and entire history for the best advice.

06
DateSep 30, 2022
CategoryKidney Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicDiet
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Question:

Should a dog with no renal issues eat food prescribed for renal issues?

Answer:

It's not really ideal because it is too low in protein for a totally normal dog.

07
DateSep 21, 2022
CategoryKidney Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicStuff to help at home
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Question:

My dog has kidney failure and I was wondering what I can do at home like supplement treats

Answer:

Here is a link to our article about treating kidney disease with discussions about many treatment options, both over-the-counter and prescription: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/kidney-disease-treatment-dog-cat-31.html

08
DateSep 18, 2022
CategoryKidney Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicNew symptoms
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Question:

Chewy was first diagnosed with CHF a few months ago, this month he was also diagnosed with kidney disease. I'm noticing that his appetite has decreased greatly, the diarrhea and he shakes a lot. He no longer wants to sleep on the bed with me where he usually sleeps but chooses to sleep on the cold floors of the bathrooms or the kitchen why is that? How can I help him?

Answer:

Honestly, your veterinarian (who has access to all of his bloodwork, medication(s), history, x-rays, etc.) is the best one to consult about this.

09
DateSep 8, 2022
CategoryKidney Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicCalming supplement
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Question:

What calming supplements are safe for a dog with kidney disease? What should be avoided??

Answer:

Honestly it really depends on the severity of the kidney disease so consult your veterinarian for the best advice about this.

010
DateAug 17, 2022
CategoryKidney Disease
Pet TypeCat
TopicSupplements
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Question:

What type if any of supplements can I give my 15 year old cat that was recently diagnosed with early stages of kidney disease

Answer:

Consult your veterinarian (who has access to all of his/her records and bloodwork) for the best advice because it will depend on many things (low potassium?, anemic?, high phosphorus?, etc.) but Epakitin is a supplement that seems to help some cats. Here is a link if you would like to read about it: https://www.1800petmeds.com/epakitin+powder-prod11134.html

011
DateJul 16, 2022
CategoryKidney Disease
Pet TypeCat
TopicTreatment
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Question:

What would you suggest I do for my cat? My mom had a cat who had renal failure and had her on fluids for a few years.

Answer:

I can't tell what your question is by how you phrased that: are you trying to prevent kidney disease in your normal cat or does your cat have kidney disease like your mom's cat? Either way, here is a link to our article about kidney disease with lots of recommendations under teh treatment tab: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/kidney-disease-dog-cat-31.html

012
DateJun 4, 2022
CategoryKidney Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicMega Three Supplement and enalapril
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Question:

I have been informed by my vet I need the above items for my dog she is 10 and has renal issues

Answer:

Be sure about the Enalapril then: it is for heart problems and can CAUSE kidney (renal) problems. Here is a good Omega 3 supplement though: https://www.1800petmeds.com/Welactin+Omega+3+Canine-prod11837.html

013
DateMay 10, 2022
CategoryKidney Disease
Pet TypeCat
TopicQuestion for Well Experienced Veterinarian
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Question:

Hi, I made the very difficult decision of putting my beloved 18 year old cat to sleep on Saturday, May 7, 2022. I'm having a really tough time since putting her to sleep. She had suddenly really gone downhill. I took her to a Veterinarian ER as the Veterinary office I was taking her to couldn't see her for two days. The ER Veterinarian told me she was in critical condition, dehydrated. I had them do some labs. I took them lab results that I picked up from my Veterinary office on the way to the ER- they had been done along with a yearly senior wellness exam- just 1 month and 5 days before (April 2, 2022) My Veterinarian had texted me April 4, 2022 with her results but kept stating that she kidney function was normal. I trusted her and took her word for it so I hadn't seen her lab results myself. The ER Veterinarian reviewed her April 4, 2022 lab results and told me her BUN at 39 was Stage 2 Kidney disease. They did some lab work at the ER- her BUN was now 60. The Veterinarian told me she was now Stage 3 or 4 Kidney disease. How would you of handled her BUN being 39 in her lab results on April 4, 2022? Would you have seen that as a concern? Would you have suggested Sub Q fluids and a KD diet be started right away? Since her BUN was up to 60 on Saturday, Creatinine 3.61, in Critical Condition and Kidney's now at Stage 3 or 4- I made the decision to put her to sleep. I'm really struggling since I put her to sleep on Saturday, May 7 and I can't stop wondering if I made the wrong decision in putting her to sleep. I miss her terribly. I can't help but wonder if she still had a fighting chance and could of improved with Sub Q fluids and a KD diet.

Answer:

I'm so sorry you are going through this - I know it's hard. You did the right thing. Subcutaneous fluids and a KD diet only help them feel a little better by lowering their BUN temporarily - there is no actual treatment for the kidney failure. So I usually feel like I start fluids and KD more for the owner than the cat. The fluids can be painful (large bore needle) and the food is low in protein so they don't like it, so sometimes I feel like I'm making the cat miserable for their last few days for no real good reason. I hope this helps you feel a little better about your decision.

014
DateMay 5, 2022
CategoryKidney Disease
Pet TypeDog
Topicrecipe for dog food
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Question:

My dog has kidney disease and I want to make her food. Where can I get a healthy recipe for her?

Answer:

Honestly, I wouldn't advise trying to do that with kidney disease unless you work directly with a board certified veterinary nutritionist, often found at your local veterinary school.

015
DateApr 19, 2022
CategoryKidney Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicDiet Supplements
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Question:

20 lb. Shih tzu mix, stage 2 kidney disease. He refused prescribed kd food would not eat any of it. Put him on a home cooked feeding plan(boiled chicken breast, white rice, green beans, carrots) I need to add supplements but have no idea what to use. Please advise/recommend. He is eating now on the home cooked plan.

Answer:

It is VERY hard to correctly balance their diets with people food, so I'm supposed to discourage you from trying it - especially if she has kidney disease. The nutritional experts recommend working directly with a board certified veterinary nutritionist, often found at your local veterinary school. If that isn't an option, the best site to use to balance her diet is balanceit.com. It will have you enter a bunch of information about her and exact ingredients you want to use, etc. and then it will tell you what you need to supplement.

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