Renal Recipes - Sweet Cherry Cobbler
The kidneys are sophisticated trash collectors that process blood to sift out waste products and extra water. The waste and extra water become urine, which flows to your dog’s bladder through tubes called ureters. The bladder stores urine until your dog relieves himself. The wastes in your dog’s blood come from the normal breakdown of active muscle and from the food he eats. After it has taken what it needs from the food, waste is sent to the blood where it will be filtered by the kidneys. If the kidneys did not remove these wastes, the wastes would build up in the blood and damage the body. The kidneys also measure out chemicals like sodium, phosphorus, and potassium and release them back to the blood to return to the body. This is how the kidneys regulate the body’s level of these substances. The right balance is necessary for life, but excess levels can be harmful. Kidney Failure Symptoms In Dogs In the early stages of kidney disease, you'll notice your dog drinking a lot more water in order to flush out excess toxins in the body that the kidneys are not filtering out. With time, the extra intake of water won’t help remove those toxins and you'll begin to see more serious symptoms. These include: Anemia (pale gums and weakness)Dehydration (with a sudden and increased thirst)LethargyDepressionIncrease in urination and/or trouble urinatingLoss of appetite and weight lossVomiting and/or diarrhea What Causes Kidney Disease In Dogs? A number of factors can contribute to the development of kidney disease. These include: VaccinationToxinsPoor quality, processed dry dietsStressInfectionHigh blood pressureKidney traumaKidney stones Of course, it's always best to prevent kidney disease as opposed to treating it, so this list is important for any dog owner to understand. Refraining from over-vaccination and feeding a fresh, whole food are important changes every dog owner should make immediately. Testing For Kidney Failure A routine blood screen can detect kidney disease by measuring, among other values, the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine. BUN and blood creatinine levels are used to measure the body waste products in your dog's blood stream. High BUN and creatinine values can reveal high levels of waste products, which indicate kidney disease. BUN and creatinine can also be used to monitor the progress of the disease. Decreasing values may indicate an improvement in the progress of kidney disease. Conversely, increasing values may mean that that your dog's kidney failure is progressing and getting worse. While BUN and creatinine levels can be important for diagnosing and monitoring kidney failure , there are also several other tests that are used to diagnose and monitor kidney failure in dogs. Blood levels of calcium, phosphorus and potassium can also be monitored in addition to the BUN and creatinine as they can affect the treatment of dogs with kidney failure. Dog Kidney Failure Diet Traditionally, vets have recommended restricting protein consumption because protein is high in phosphorus, which creates a high nitrogen load that can further stress the liver and kidneys. But if your dog suffers from kidney disease, one of the most important things you can do for him is to get him off kibble and on to fresh foods. As for reducing the protein content of the diet, homeopathic vet Dr Don Hamilton offers the following: “It is commonly thought that when there is any evidence of kidney disease, the protein level should be reduced. This is not correct for most animals. Protein reduction has little impact upon the progression of kidney disease. In fact, reducing the protein level in the diet may reduce the effectiveness of the kidneys. This is because the amount of blood filtered through the kidneys (the glomular filtration rate) is tied to protein in the diet, and reducing the protein reduces the filtering thus decreasing the excretion of toxins. (In rats, extra protein induces excessive glomular filtration, and restricting dietary protein prevents progression of renal failure. Though this has not been shown to occur in dogs or cats, this data is used to support protein restriction in these animals. I believe this is not correct, as dogs and cats are carnivores, whereas rats are primarily herbivores; this difference would account for different protein needs).” However raw meats are still high in phosphorus. If your dog's blood test indicates high levels of phosphorus, then tweaking the raw diet may be all that's necessary. Holistic vet Dr Jodie Gruenstern notes "You can do things to bind to phosphorus so it goes out in the poop and doesn’t build up in the blood. Feeding kidney patients a balanced raw diet with the appropriate calcium to phosphorus ratio will bind and lower the phosphorus. We can also help that along by adding dark leafy green veggies, which can help remove waste protein in the intestinal tract of dogs and this will keep the BUN levels down. So when you start to see your kidney patient act sick and not want to eat, adding dark, leafy greens to the diet, along with prebiotics and probiotics, will help remove any excess protein through fecal waste, rather than through the bloodstream." (It's important to cleanse the body of toxic waste because our dog's absorb it every day in their food, water and environment.) Chinese Medicine Options For Kidney Disease Dr Anne Luther recommends certain Chinese herbs, which can cause increased blood flow through the kidneys, resulting in more toxins being cleared from the bloodstream. "The formula I use most frequently is Ba Wei DiHuang Wan, also known as Rehmannia 8. This formula contains Fu Zi (aconite) andRou Gui (cinnamon), which are both very warming and have an invigorating effect on circulation. "Rehmannia 8 increases renal blood flow and even when 60 to 70 per cent of the kidney is no longer functioning, a significant number of nephrons may still be able to function with adequate blood flow. I have seen renal values return to normal and even regain some degree of concentrating ability. The remaining portion of the formula is called Lui Wei Di Huang Wan (Rehmannia 6)." Homeopathic Kidney Disease Remedies There are also homeopathic remedies that can successfully treat many symptoms of kidney failure. Arsenicum album is great for animals with chilliness and thirst. These animals are often restless, especially after midnight. They may hang their heads over the water or food bowl but don’t eat or drink much. Mercurius may be of benefit in animals with advanced disease with oral ulcers and irritability.Natrum muriaticum (Nat mur) is good for animals that seek cool, rather than the usual heat seekers.Sulphur is a good remedy for the sluggish, unkempt animal. They are usually thirsty with poor appetites but are still very sociable. Even if your pet has advanced kidney disease, don’t be discouraged. There are diet changes and natural treatment options that can add years of comfort to your dog. Find a holistic vet who will help you stay on track with this holistic approach and your dog will be well on his way to a happier outcome.
I have a “Now or Never” philopsophy to life that sometimes gets me into trouble. Well, let’s face it….always gets me into trouble! Living with a physical progressive disabil…
Renal Recipes - Hawaiian Chicken Salad
Easy kidney-friendly desserts with nutrition information can be helpful with looking for recipes to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Discover the pace at which your chronic kidney disease progresses to dialysis. Gain insights on the timeframe for dialysis onset and manage your condition effectively.
"Discover how to live with chronic kidney disease. With proper management and improved diet, you can live a long and fulfilling life, even with stage 3 kidney disease."
Recipes that will increase kidney health.
Chronic kidney disease, also known as chronic renal failure, chronic renal disease, or chronic kidney failure, is much more widespread than people realize; it often goes undetected and undiagnosed until the disease is well advanced. Chronic kidney disease is a slow progressive loss of kidney function over a period of several years. Eventually, the patient […]
Explore a variety of family friendly kidney meals that are both delicious and nourishing. Discover recipes designed to support kidney health.
Medically-verified ways to reduce high creatinine levels Creatinine is a waste product found in everyone's blood and urine. Normally, your kidneys filter excess creatinine out of your bloodstream. While having high creatinine levels...
It's important to always look for healthy snack options when you are looking for a snack. This post is all about a list of kidney friendly snack ideas.
Get Inspired & Eat Kidney-Friendly!Diet and nutrition are very important to helping individuals with kidney diseases live well. Depending on your Stage of kidney disease, and the presence of ot…
Are you struggling to come up with healthy low oxalate breakfast ideas that are healthy for kidney stones? Check out my top 10 favorites here!
I've been in pain for over 18 years, which means that I've described pain a LOT. In this post, I discuss describing pain levels to a doctor.
Kidney disease is a common but serious illness in dogs. Learn about the causes, treatment, and prevention to help keep your dog healthy.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, NAFLD for short, is on the rise. It's the most common form of liver disease in the developed world and afflicts 1 in 3 American adults. It's on my radar because it tends to travel with other health problems I see a lot. Your risk is high if you have prediabetes, diabetes, metabolic syndrome or obesity. We'll get to diet for fatty liver disease in a bit. The number of cases of NAFLD has doubled in the last 20 years. Researchers say it may soon surpass hepatitis C infection to become the number one cause of
Here's a nice summer meal you can make on the grill. Chicken and Summer Vegetable Kebabs feature zucchini, peppers and onions with a tasty glaze. It's a great kidney-friendly recipe for those warm summer months.
The intravenous pyelogram shows ectatic distal collecting ducts containing the microcalcifications, forming the bouquet of flowers appearance. If you look closer there are also dilated contra...
Renal Recipes - Chicken Nuggets with Honey Mustard Sauce
Lisa, a DaVita renal dietitian from California, shares her recipes provided by her patient, Charlean, for delicious, family-friendly one-dish meals. Fire up the grill and enjoy kidney-friendly Grilled Flank Steak and Vinaigrette Vegetables
Discover fast food options for CKD Find quick, convenient, and tasty meals that align with dietary restrictions.
The kidneys are sophisticated trash collectors that process blood to sift out waste products and extra water. The waste and extra water become urine, which flows to your dog’s bladder through tubes called ureters. The bladder stores urine until your dog relieves himself. The wastes in your dog’s blood come from the normal breakdown of active muscle and from the food he eats. After it has taken what it needs from the food, waste is sent to the blood where it will be filtered by the kidneys. If the kidneys did not remove these wastes, the wastes would build up in the blood and damage the body. The kidneys also measure out chemicals like sodium, phosphorus, and potassium and release them back to the blood to return to the body. This is how the kidneys regulate the body’s level of these substances. The right balance is necessary for life, but excess levels can be harmful. Kidney Failure Symptoms In Dogs In the early stages of kidney disease, you'll notice your dog drinking a lot more water in order to flush out excess toxins in the body that the kidneys are not filtering out. With time, the extra intake of water won’t help remove those toxins and you'll begin to see more serious symptoms. These include: Anemia (pale gums and weakness)Dehydration (with a sudden and increased thirst)LethargyDepressionIncrease in urination and/or trouble urinatingLoss of appetite and weight lossVomiting and/or diarrhea What Causes Kidney Disease In Dogs? A number of factors can contribute to the development of kidney disease. These include: VaccinationToxinsPoor quality, processed dry dietsStressInfectionHigh blood pressureKidney traumaKidney stones Of course, it's always best to prevent kidney disease as opposed to treating it, so this list is important for any dog owner to understand. Refraining from over-vaccination and feeding a fresh, whole food are important changes every dog owner should make immediately. Testing For Kidney Failure A routine blood screen can detect kidney disease by measuring, among other values, the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine. BUN and blood creatinine levels are used to measure the body waste products in your dog's blood stream. High BUN and creatinine values can reveal high levels of waste products, which indicate kidney disease. BUN and creatinine can also be used to monitor the progress of the disease. Decreasing values may indicate an improvement in the progress of kidney disease. Conversely, increasing values may mean that that your dog's kidney failure is progressing and getting worse. While BUN and creatinine levels can be important for diagnosing and monitoring kidney failure , there are also several other tests that are used to diagnose and monitor kidney failure in dogs. Blood levels of calcium, phosphorus and potassium can also be monitored in addition to the BUN and creatinine as they can affect the treatment of dogs with kidney failure. Dog Kidney Failure Diet Traditionally, vets have recommended restricting protein consumption because protein is high in phosphorus, which creates a high nitrogen load that can further stress the liver and kidneys. But if your dog suffers from kidney disease, one of the most important things you can do for him is to get him off kibble and on to fresh foods. As for reducing the protein content of the diet, homeopathic vet Dr Don Hamilton offers the following: “It is commonly thought that when there is any evidence of kidney disease, the protein level should be reduced. This is not correct for most animals. Protein reduction has little impact upon the progression of kidney disease. In fact, reducing the protein level in the diet may reduce the effectiveness of the kidneys. This is because the amount of blood filtered through the kidneys (the glomular filtration rate) is tied to protein in the diet, and reducing the protein reduces the filtering thus decreasing the excretion of toxins. (In rats, extra protein induces excessive glomular filtration, and restricting dietary protein prevents progression of renal failure. Though this has not been shown to occur in dogs or cats, this data is used to support protein restriction in these animals. I believe this is not correct, as dogs and cats are carnivores, whereas rats are primarily herbivores; this difference would account for different protein needs).” However raw meats are still high in phosphorus. If your dog's blood test indicates high levels of phosphorus, then tweaking the raw diet may be all that's necessary. Holistic vet Dr Jodie Gruenstern notes "You can do things to bind to phosphorus so it goes out in the poop and doesn’t build up in the blood. Feeding kidney patients a balanced raw diet with the appropriate calcium to phosphorus ratio will bind and lower the phosphorus. We can also help that along by adding dark leafy green veggies, which can help remove waste protein in the intestinal tract of dogs and this will keep the BUN levels down. So when you start to see your kidney patient act sick and not want to eat, adding dark, leafy greens to the diet, along with prebiotics and probiotics, will help remove any excess protein through fecal waste, rather than through the bloodstream." (It's important to cleanse the body of toxic waste because our dog's absorb it every day in their food, water and environment.) Chinese Medicine Options For Kidney Disease Dr Anne Luther recommends certain Chinese herbs, which can cause increased blood flow through the kidneys, resulting in more toxins being cleared from the bloodstream. "The formula I use most frequently is Ba Wei DiHuang Wan, also known as Rehmannia 8. This formula contains Fu Zi (aconite) andRou Gui (cinnamon), which are both very warming and have an invigorating effect on circulation. "Rehmannia 8 increases renal blood flow and even when 60 to 70 per cent of the kidney is no longer functioning, a significant number of nephrons may still be able to function with adequate blood flow. I have seen renal values return to normal and even regain some degree of concentrating ability. The remaining portion of the formula is called Lui Wei Di Huang Wan (Rehmannia 6)." Homeopathic Kidney Disease Remedies There are also homeopathic remedies that can successfully treat many symptoms of kidney failure. Arsenicum album is great for animals with chilliness and thirst. These animals are often restless, especially after midnight. They may hang their heads over the water or food bowl but don’t eat or drink much. Mercurius may be of benefit in animals with advanced disease with oral ulcers and irritability.Natrum muriaticum (Nat mur) is good for animals that seek cool, rather than the usual heat seekers.Sulphur is a good remedy for the sluggish, unkempt animal. They are usually thirsty with poor appetites but are still very sociable. Even if your pet has advanced kidney disease, don’t be discouraged. There are diet changes and natural treatment options that can add years of comfort to your dog. Find a holistic vet who will help you stay on track with this holistic approach and your dog will be well on his way to a happier outcome.
A collection of kidney-friendly holiday cookies. One of the best things about the holidays is the time we spend together in the kitchen making yummy treats.
What is the kidney stone diet? Complete overview of all aspects of healthy eating to prevent calcium oxalate kidney stones from forming.