Orijen puppy food and high creatine (kidney function)

[Lori watts]

My puppy has just turned 8mths and we were scheduled for neuturing last wk. Did bldwk ahead of time and showed slightly boarderline kidney enzymes (bun, creatine) and elevated lymphocites. Cancelled surgery n put on antibiotics for posibble kidney infection. Week later tested again n bun in normal range, but creatine not changed. Lyms were down. Not sure why. Vet says the puppy orijen too high in protein(38%)...said to change to only 30%...but all orijen food is higher protein. Not sure what to do. Any suggestions?

Thanks
Lori

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The protein content in Orijen would not have caused your pup's kidney enzymes to be outside the normal range. There has to be another cause. It also could not possibly have caused an infection, which is the most common cause of elevated lymphocytes.. 

There are not many grain free high quality puppy foods with protein percentages under 33%. Your vet is picking 30% because that's the protein level of Purina puppy foods, and vets don't know very much about nutrition or pet foods beyond Hill's or Purina. 

I can look for another food with a 30% protein content, but I really would look deeper into the elevated enzymes and lymphocytes. I don't want to worry you, but those things in a puppy can be a sign of kidney disease. They cannot be caused by food in a healthy puppy. You may need to get a second opinion from a different vet. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Okay, Canidae's Pure Puppy Food is grain free and has 30% protein, it's also easy on the digestive system, so this should work for you:

 http://www.canidae.com/dog-food/products/canidae-grain-free-pure-fo...

Check the feeding guidelines, as you may have to feed more than you did with Orijen. 

[Lori watts]

Karen,
Thank you so much for finding this food. I was reading too that their phosphorous in the food needs to be lower. I don't see phosphorous listed in the analysis. I thought orijen eas the best. I'm so scared now.

He doesn't show signs of any problems except that he had 2 accidents in the house that he hadnt had since he eas a smaller puppy. After the antibiotics, he hasnt had accidents. He has high energy. I just hate this for him. Have to get him neutered on Monday.

Thank you for everything! What great support here!

Lorj

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

In dogs with kidney disease and kidney failure, the proportions of phosphorus, calcium, sodium, and potassium in the diet need to be carefully balanced. It's not so much that the phosphorus (or any of the other minerals) needs to be lower, it's the proportions of each of them in relation to the others that matters. This information is not usually available on commercial diets, and kidney disease/failure is one of the few conditions for which I recommend owners follow their vets' advice about feeding Rx diets; not because the diets are high quality, nourishing food, (they're not), but because it's the only way to be sure that the micronutrient content is appropriate. 

However, we're not talking about kidney disease, or God forbid, kidney failure, here. You don't really know what if anything might be wrong with your pup. Possibly an infection of some kind, but beyond that, we don't know. I would try not to make myself crazy by reading about this online. It sounds like you've already found out that googling "kidney infection" is going to bring up lots of articles about kidney failure, lol. That path can lead to "crazy town"; trust me, I know. :) 

[Lori watts]

Karen,
Thank you for the advice. I really appreciate it!

I starting thinking maybe it could be the heartworm meds he is on. He doesn't seem to be bothered by it, but you never know. I use the heartguard plus. Right now because the weather is cold, he is off it until Feb. Ever seen the heartworm meds give them kidney trouble? Also, when its flea season he is on frontline plus.

Thank you so much!
Lori

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I am sure it isn;t the heartworm meds or the flea meds. 

[Lori watts]

Karen,

Thank you for reply. I know the orijen puppy food is the best and don't want to go off of it. My 2yr old golden is on 6 fish and does fine. He does eat extra treats (pure bits-chicken) and bulley sticks maybe 2x week. Do you think extra treats would do that? I thought maybe kidney infection would cause higher creatine. I need to get him neutured soon. He is dominating my female golden (spayed) and bothering her.

Thank you!

Lori

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

No high-quality food or treats can cause elevated kidney enzymes in any dog that doesn't have an underlying condition. It's possible that a kidney infection could cause them, but the food wouldn't cause that either, and a kidney infection in a healthy puppy would be very odd. A bladder infection, yes, that happens, but not a kidney infection. So I do think you need to get to the bottom of this. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You also would have seen symptoms if he had a kidney infection: loss of appettite, lethargy, increased water consumption, fever, etc. Kidney infections are very painful. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

A kidney infection would most likely cause elevated neutrophils not lymphocytes. The latter are often elevated in viral infections. I would wait a bit and get new blood work or possibly seek a second opinion. An elevated creatinine indicates kidney dysfunction and you do need to investigate the cause before surgery. I doubt the food is the problem. Dogs are engineered to eat mostly protein in the wild.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, F. 

[charlotte bednarsh]

I always learn so much from reading these posts.  My 4 1/2 month old, Atticus, is on Orijen puppy food and thriving; he weighs 41 lbs and loves Orijen;   I am so very neurotic after having lost my beloved Paz last May, to lymphoma, therefore, I cautiously approach every decision for Atticus, from food, to vaccines, neutering etc.  Thank goodness for Karen's extensive research which has truly helped guide my decisions for Atticus.  Lori, I am so sorry you are experiencing difficulties with you puppy's blood findings and I believe the suggestion that you seek a second opinion is truly wise.  I know how much we all love our doodle fur babies, so please keep us posted with your puppy's progress....everyone on this site is so supportive and collectively, offers an incredible amount of diverse knowledge.  I consider Doodlekisses' members, a loving, extended family who has supported me through the best, as well as most difficult times.  Hoping to hear good news about you puppy in the near future.