My dog was recently diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease (the cysts are completely covering a now non-functioning kidney), and told we have to remove one of his kidneys. He’s 14. I’m wondering if this is a good idea since he is so old, or if there are any other options less invasive.

My dog was recently diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease (the cysts are completely covering a now non-functioning kidney), and told we have to remove one of his kidneys. He’s 14. I’m wondering if this is a good idea since he is so old, or if there are any other options less invasive.

My one and half year old Alaskan Malamute/ Husky/ German Shepherd mix was just diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease. His SDMA level was very high (27)and his creatinine level was just above the average range (164 umol/L). His BUN was in the high range of average. Is there a particular low protein/ low phosphorus diet that you recommend? I'm looking into homemade dog food recipes and am wondering if you have any recommendations. Also, what supplements/ vitamins/ medications do you suggest? Read more at: https://wagwalking.com/condition/polycystic-kidney-disease

I am a breeder and was just advised by one of my puppy families that their dog was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease. They are not a terrier or bully breed. They are a mix of Alaskan Malamute, German Shepherd, Siberian Husky and a small amount of Samoyed. I kept a female out of the same litter as the one diagnosed to use in my breeding program. I will be having her SDMA levels checked to see if they are high and make sure her Creatine and Bun levels are normal as well. If those all come back normal and her SDMA level is within the normal ranges, would she be able to be bred? or would she be considered a carrier? I read somewhere that a dog could not have the disease but be a carrier and pass it on to the offspring. There is no genetic test for my breed (Native American Village Dog). The only marker right now that we seem to have is the SDMA levels being high, followed by an ultrasound to see if there are any cysts present on the kidneys. This is devastating to me as a breeder as I have many pups out there that could potentially have it, if I find it is on my side of the pedigree and not the father's side. There was no way for me to know about this disease. Even if I had had genetic health testing done, the PKD genetic test available out there is breed specific to the Bull Terrier. Any insight you can give would be great.

At what age can a puppy be tested for PKD. Just found out that the mother of my puppy has severe PKD. I'm so worried that she has passed this down to her puppies. I've been told that the pups can't be tested until they're one as their kidneys are still developing. Please help

Our 14-year-old Standard Poodle was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney disease 1.5 years ago on an ultrasound. We were told that at that time 1/3 of his kidneys were lost to cysts. Three years prior to this, one cyst was noted on his left kidney during an ultrasound for his liver. His symptoms include excessive thirst (long-standing), frequent urination, lack of appetite, and lethargy. In addition, he was diagnosed with Cushing's disease 1.5 years ago with a tumor on the pituitary gland. Over the past 1.5 years, he has progressing ataxia. Currently, he needs assistance getting up as well as going up and down stairs. He still walks ok and is not incontinent. I am wondering what symptoms I should watch for to tell me that he is going into kidney failure. He has been getting Entyce for over a year to increase his appetite, but it is still a daily struggle to get him to eat.

I have two Newfoundland dogs. The boy Bernie is a 7year old rescue that we have had for 4years. Over the past 4 months Bernie has been losing weight. We put this down to our vet telling us to starve him for a period as he had suffered a bad spell of very loose faeces. However over the past 3 weeks he has been belching and dry heaving. The vet done blood, urine and faeces tests which all returned normal. The vet then suggested an ultra sound scan. This has found Bernie has PKD. His left kidney has a very large cyst that has almost destroyed the kidney. Apart from weight loss and belching he has no other symptoms associated with the disease.He has good appetite and enjoys his walks still. I am unsure now what path to follow ie a cyst drain, renal based diet etc. Any advice would be most welcome. Roy Foster

Just found out yesterday our lab that is 4yo but new to us 2 months had him, that he has this and advanced in one kidney. Recommended diet change and recheck levels in 6 months or as soon as he exhibits symptoms. We are still learning him his personality . He had a bladder infection and couldn’t seem to stop peeing is why tested after antibiotics didn’t stop the leaking. Blood work came back kidneys compromised so referral from our farm vet to an vet in s hospital clinic setting with sonogram X-ray equipment where diagnosis was clearly seen on one already shrunken kidney. We are heartbroken as our last lab passed away at 15+ years old in September and this boy was one for my youngest son who just turned 10. I know it says special diet but chew sticks and treats I’m wondering on as we’ve had him in training to go from breeder pack dog to a house dog and he is extremely treat food motivated. We’ve still got training to do but most all good but he’s used to training treats etc. Just searching for him so we can try to give him a good comfortable life as he’s already in less than 3 months become our boy.