Yorkie with Kidney disease

[ButterSticks]

My MIL's little Yorkie was diagnosed with kidney disease last week and was told the only thing she can do is change the dog's diet to try to lengthen her life by a few months. This dog is my MIL's life, my MIL is a widow who lives alone, and got laid off from her job a few months ago. So Midget, the dog, is totally her best friend.
Does anyone know of anything my MIL can do to lengthen her dog's life? Midge is only 6 years old, and is about 5 pounds. I know my MIL is willing to try pretty much anything. She bought some special dog food from the vet that costs like $20 a bag, but Midge is having a hard time eating it, the pieces are too big, and she doesn't like it.
So, thanks in advance, really, any help would be appreciated!

 

[bubbatd]

So sorry for your Mom !!!! Midge is young ..... I'd get a second opinion . She might try putting the food through a grinder if size is a problem . I hope you get better answers here !!

 

[chanda]

that's sad... i hope everything turns out well...

 

[elegy]

Try the Yahoo group K9KidneyDiet. Lots of helpful, kind folks there with plenty of knowledge.

 

[lizzybeth727]

I know there are a lot of "miracles" that can be done with raw and homemade diets, maybe there's something that would help. I really don't like the idea of the vet's food, I just don't know of it ever helping a dog it's supposed to help (and not just the food for kidney disease).

My family had a lab mix who was diagnosed with kidney disease several years ago. She lived for about a month after the diagnosis before her quality of life was just so bad we put her to sleep. I didn't know then when I know now about diet, and that's one of my major regrets. I'm sure it will be different with you!

 

[rosesmom]

I am so sorry. The only thing I know of is the vet diets too but have known dogs to live years on them. Hope it all turns out ok. I have a yorkie to and understand what she is feeling.