Our regular Vet, who is a close friend of ours as well, is not available for the next ten days as he had emergency surgery. Prior to his...

Our regular Vet, who is a close friend of ours as well, is not available for the next ten days as he had emergency surgery. Prior to his emergency, we got the unfortunate news that Max, our mini Schnauzer, 14 yrs young, looks like he is in early stages of kidney failure. That was three weeks ago. We had to wait about ten days for his supplments, Azodyl, Epakitin, B-12 Vitamins...plus we continued with our low phosphorous home made diet. He also prescribed ACE enalapril, of which I didn't give him for about five days as I was really nervous about him going into "kidney failure" with this drug. It is 1.25, and he suggested it for the protein loss, and said it won't affect his kidneys. Well, after much thought and angst, I went against my gut instinct and put him on it. He became very lethargic, almost like a different dog. I felt it was from the drug. So, I couldn't reach our vet, and took him off of it after four days. By the third day of being off of this drug, and continuing on the supplements. He became alert, playful almost like before, but not quite. And, he even ran on our back porch. He was eating with vigor. Then my Vet contacted us to see how he was doing, and said, it's your call with the ACE inhibitor, but if it were my dog I'd put him on it. He suggested I try it again and if adverse reaction again, then stop it. Well, again against my gut, put him on it, and past two days, totally out of it...sleeping and walking so slowly. Do you think it's this drug? And, is this drug really necessary in the regime to try and slow the progression, of which we know it will get worse eventually. We just want him to be happy, and not drugged up. Oh, and also on Renal Vitamins and Pepcid 2x day. Can a dog stay at early stages for awhile before progessing? Has that ever happened? Also, it was discovered he had a very new and small heart murmur last time he was checked. He is on thyroid meds for about 7 years...and he is 20 pounds. Please let me know what you think...thanks. My husband and I are struggling with this news, and I've been personally obsessed with researching! Help! Thank you.

Doctor Reuther,

Thank you for answering my questions.  To be clear, you have said that he "might" be sensitive to Enalapril, and that you said based on what I've written, "not to use it?"  I would agree with you, plus his appetite waned once started on this medication.  May I ask you this, is there cause to believe that pets on this medication live longer?  And do they generally feel "better" on this?  My concerns are that I don't want him to feel bad, or to go blind if not on this medication.  Does it really matter in the overall plan of treatment if all things considered, I follow a "strict" diet, give him supplements, and keep him hydrated, is there any reason to believe he needs this medication?  In your expertise, do you prescribe this?  Plus, Max has never had a blood pressure check.  I guess it was more for the protein more than anything else that the Vet prescribed it.

Do you have any suggestions for supplementations that I might add to increase him feeling better?

Thank you, Cam

Oh, and can I use a blood pressure check with a "wrist" monitor for him at home?  I hate to get him stressed with a doppler at the Vets.

Thanks

 Okay...well thank you Doctor Reuther,

Have a great night, you've been helpful.

Regards C~