Dark tongue & Conginial Kidney Disease? - Page 1

wow what horrible experience so far, his vet does not pin point the issue yet. We mentioned that he had a treatment of frontine flea & tick a day before. Vet suspects kidney damage or congenital kidney disease. His red blood count very low 17, phosphorous high very 296. Ultrasound is inconclusive shows smaller kidney but, I looked at it looks unreadable to me(waste of money). Waiting for urea count something tells it will be higher than norm. We still suspect Frontline as the catalyst & the dark (blackish coloring) was the reason we were seeking medical attention. Our puppy has no physical indication (no excess urination or over water consumption, no vomiting, blood pressure perfect)  accept slightly lethargic since administration of Frontline. We have decided to use our judgment & some of the vets. We are supplementing Vitamin C & b12 for the anemia issue. And the Vet recommendation of Aluminum Hydroxide (or Malox) & Pepsit AC for now. Just feeling a little lost. Vet keeps saying our dog will be dead soon (using those words) and he looks good (playing, responsive, normal). Wow this bites and I'm sad & mad.
Best Regards to All

Who did the ultasound? Did a board certified radiologist read the pictures? The recommendation of the vet  for alum hydrox
and pepcid is very protocol for kidney issue. I am so sorry you are having to go thru this. 
Always,
Cee

No just a vet with laptop 14" screen & even smaller inner screen 4" picture I could barely see it & could not copy to my flash drive. Thank you for the support

Just want to throw some numbers out there.
Amylase - 2313 (H)
Bun - 296 (H)
creatinine - 11.1 (H)
phosphorus -14.5 (H)
potassium - 3.8 (L)
chloride - 104 (L)
RBC - 2.15 (L)
HGB - 5.4 (L)
HCT - 16.2 (L)
Anion Gap - 33 (H)
These are the abnormal blood values waiting for urine sample analyse, we did not get a gravity test just a comment seemed slightly watery? Our GSD is 60lbs 16 months old and has not lost weight or appetite.
vet suggested with levels like his he should be dead. Our boy is not showing typical signs (he drink 50-60oz of water, urinates 2-3 times per day, no loose stool or vomit). Main symptom is lethargy (recently, beside blood numbers) and blackish tone on his tongue limited to the top of the tongue and has decreased (only visible on tip) in intensity & increased (strip down middle & tip) at times for the last 2 weeks after Frontline treatment (1st time this year). We have exhibited at 6 months an allergy to grains (SD puppy vomit/loose stool and mucusy stool) not confirmed by vet (they believe in SD is the best). Changed diet to Canadea then Merrick brands (12 months so far) & his functions have been normal to very good. Vet suggests K/D prescription (brewers waste with all purpose vitamin) we are very reluctant because of past experience. We bought no grain tripe and rather feed better quality food than wasted carbs. We started him on Vit C & Vit B12 based on our own research. Could use any suggestions, please pro-active only. Anyone heard of a blackish tongue?? Vet gave us antibiotic as a precaution(waiting for culture). We feel it might be parasitic (heartworm test negitive)  or fungal could it be affecting kidneys? He has had a recent growth spurt.
Any help out there?
Thank you   

I would follow your vets recommended. Please use the antibiotic as a precaution, until culture comes back, your dogs values are not normal. Is your vet  getting in touch with board certified  internal medicine vets?
Always,
Cee

thank you for the responds, we started antibiotic 2 days now he has not had a bowel movement since. Vomited up food yesterday (new tripe before grain). He simply looks tired & lethargic. He ate food with his meds the morning (Merrick Holiday Delight Venison) I though it might be better on his tummy. I'm exploring possible granulocytic ehrlichiosis & hoping for outcome other than kidney disease. Vet has been in contact with Ohio State U but suggestion was only for pepsit AC, they could not explain blackish tone on tongue inconclusive. He looks sick now & hope he makes through the day. Really tough on us but we are not willing prolong without hope.
Thank you
Mike

Mike, I am so sorry for what you are going thru. They are really good at Ohio State. Your vet can refer you to State if you like. , I am hoping the best for your family and your dog. Please keep us posted, people on this forum are very good at holding your shoulders up when you do not have the strength to hold your own up.
Always,
Cee

His urine test came back today: NORMAL PROTEIN
urine culture: NEGATIVE
waiting on one more test with urine
any suggestions? Vet recommends K/D (no way brewers rice crap) Vet gave him 9 months anyway, we are staying with Merrick (he loves) adding B-Complex, Vitamin C, Aluminum hydroxide, Pepsit. Vet said 9 months if he is on K/D? He is weak but drinks normal, does not vomit, normal stool, normal urination. Damn this is a daily nightmare. All we wanted was is heart worm test / dark spots of his tongue and up Congenial Kidney  Disease!!! Give your pup a hug today.
Best Wishes To All
  Not going without a fight

hoodie we need you!

i had a cat that lived on c/d for 3 years - they gave her 3 months.........

hope you find something that works.

Hi Midnightday,

Have you read that there are many many concerns about Canidae now?  Many peoples pets are/have been sick yet Canidae seems to think nothing is wrong.

www.consumeraffairs.com/pets/canidae.html

I don't know if it has anything to do with your dog's problem but it might be worth looking into.

Kelly