Help me understand my dogs result from the vet

[WhatsTheEffingPoint]

Calling any vets / vet nurses for some advice to stop me worring until our next vet appointment on Wednesday.

My 13yr old male dog has had a couple of wee accidents indoors which is not like him at all, took him to the vets, given a full check over and all seems OK other then his ongoing arthritis for which he's been on meds for a number of years.

We had to do a urine sample and this is the reply I have received:
"The sample showed a trace of protein (not unusual for a 'free-catch' sample from a male dog) and a slightly lower concentration of urine for a dog. The average for a healthy dog is 1.030 and his was 1.024. The rest of the sample was normal.

Whilst it is not that low compared to the 'normal', it is still low. As a result, we shouldn't completely rule out an underlying kidney disease."

We are booked for a blood test next week to have a further look but what does all this actually mean in layman's?

Thanks.

Ot a vet or vet nurse but it means his kidneys might not be working at full capacity. Sometimes they get given medication, sometimes not.

I have done some Googling....wish I didn't.
Can anyone advise on what treatments/meds can be done to help...I know if it's kidney disease then it's not curable but i just want an idea of what our options are as I can't speak to out vet until next week.

My boy is my life, and I know he's not immortal but I can't get worse case out my head at the moment.

I'm not a veterinary professional but I know many older dogs have some small degree of kidney problem. I would ring and ask your vet what it means in terms of possible treatment and how it might affect your dog's life. My old dog (15) has recently started leaking a little at night and when he is asleep in the daytime. We tried the syrup bitches can have for this issue, but it had no effect. Like you I know he isn't immortal but it doesn't sound as though you will be having that awful conversation just yet.

I am a veterinary professional
@WhatsTheEffingPoint your dog's urine sample falls within the normal range. Was it a first thing in the morning sample or later in the day?

@Veterinari
@Spanielsarepainless

Thank you for your replies. The test was a first pee of the day.

We are booked in for a Geriatric Blood Test on Wednesday (fasting) so we can get a full picture.

I guess what I really want to know is if there is some sort of kidney disease then what is the care/meds/solution to dealing with it? Does it change suddenly or is it gradually.

I know this is all stuff I should (and will ask my vet) but with covid alot of our conversation has been by email and last thing on Friday so no chance.

[quote WhatsTheEffingPoint]@Veterinari
@Spanielsarepainless

Thank you for your replies. The test was a first pee of the day.

We are booked in for a Geriatric Blood Test on Wednesday (fasting) so we can get a full picture.

I guess what I really want to know is if there is some sort of kidney disease then what is the care/meds/solution to dealing with it? Does it change suddenly or is it gradually.

I know this is all stuff I should (and will ask my vet) but with covid alot of our conversation has been by email and last thing on Friday so no chance.[/quote]
I think a full blood profile is sensible in an older dog but I also think as he is concentrating urine to a normal limit, I wouldn't panic.

Is he able to posture and toilet regularly through the day?

Does he ever seem confused? Any night vocalising, any staring into space or restless wandering?

@Veterinari
Hes fine normally but the peeing indoors has happened 3 times now. He does drink quite a lot and It's been in the morning everytime. at first I thought it was he just really needed to go and couldn't hold any longer but for it to happen twice more I thought a vet check was in order.

He is on Metacam, Gabapentin and a joint supplement, never seems confused or has any restlessness, he can be a bit lazy and sleeps a fair bit but can then go to oldie zoomies. No night vocalising unless you count snoring?!

[quote WhatsTheEffingPoint]@Veterinari
Hes fine normally but the peeing indoors has happened 3 times now. He does drink quite a lot and It's been in the morning everytime. at first I thought it was he just really needed to go and couldn't hold any longer but for it to happen twice more I thought a vet check was in order.

He is on Metacam, Gabapentin and a joint supplement, never seems confused or has any restlessness, he can be a bit lazy and sleeps a fair bit but can then go to oldie zoomies. No night vocalising unless you count snoring?![/quote]
That's good. Blood tests sound sensible to check everything out, but try not to worry

@Veterinari

Thank you for your replies.
What is the care for something like this?

[quote WhatsTheEffingPoint]@Veterinari

Thank you for your replies.
What is the care for something like this?[/quote]
It really depends what (if anything) is wrong.

It could be anything from a straightforward urine infection to early kidney disease, or a different metabolic issue, or senile dementia.

Hi, I sadly lost my dog three weeks ago but she had a number of health problems including kidney disease. It’s not something to worry about in early stages and can be treated quite well with changes to the diet, your vet will advise. Catching it early is key. A large proportion of dogs naturally have such problems with old age. I remember feeling despair when I first found out but I treated and she lived another 18 months. Best of luck.

So we have had the blood test results back and it turns out he has hypothyroidism.

We have tablets to take, and have to have another blood test in 4wks! He is on the chunky side, so hopefully the tablets will rebalance things and he will start to shift some weight etc.

No real answer to the peeing indoors, so we are being extra good at getting him outside etc. I'm am just thankful that its not as bad as i was thinking it could be.

Thank you to everyone who replied and tried to help me keep my fears down. x