Our relationship with our dogs has evolved over the years as we have come to understand and perhaps embrace the importance that they can play in our lives evidenced by the service network that provides essential care to the disabled and elderly and law enforcement agencies. Canine companionship has clearly been taken to another level as we aspire to provide the best health for our dogs, sometimes, inappropriately I must say, taking better care of their medical requirements than ours. Hills, the parent company of Science Diet pet nutritional products are perhaps the leader and most prescribed nutritional management product on the market.

One of our Golden’s has recently been prescribed Hill's Science Diet Prescription Diet Canine K/D because of an exposure to Lymes disease in spite of constant treatment with Frontline. Later confirmation, with an ultrasound, of minor kidney involvement called for the recommendation that we switch her diet regimen to Hill's Science Diet Prescription Diet Canine K/D.
 
One of the symptoms of kidney disease manifests itself in a reduction of urination so keeping free access to water is essential toward effective management of the disease. Prescription Diet Canine K/D targets the essential nutrients and ingredients to stave off the progression of your dogs kidney malfunction.

The following short list caters to the dietary needs of healthy kidney function followed by the nutritional ingredients for a healthy general diet.

Dietary Buffering Capacity - Helps counteract the tendency for metabolic acidosis, a known implication of kidney failure, to help lessen muscle wasting.
B Complex Vitamins - compensates for urinary loss
Antioxidants - Promote healthy immune system fights off free radicals
Soluble Fiber Source - Decreases urinary nitrogen excretion and lowers serum urea nitrogen.
Protein  14.8 - Meets nutritional needs of your pet while reducing kidney byproducts that require excretion
Phosphorus  0.22  - Slows the progression of Kidney malfunction
Sodium  0.19  reduces Hypertension and clinical manifestations of ascites/edema or water and fluid retention
Omega-3 Fatty Acids - 1.93 Improves blood flow to the kidneys
Fat - 26.7
Carbohydrate (NFE) - 54.1
Crude Fiber - 0.4
Soluble Fiber - 0.7
Calcium - 0.78
Potassium - 0.37
Magnesium - 0.141


Water
·         Egg White
·         Corn Starch
·         Pork Liver
·         Chicken Fat
·         Sucrose
·         Flaxseed
·         Dried Whey
·         Chicken Liver Flavor
·         Calcium Carbonate
·         Calcium Sulfate
·         Caramel Color
·         Choline Chloride
·         Vitamin E Supplement
·         Potassium Chloride
·         Magnesium Oxide
·         Iodized Salt, Taurine
·         Ferrous Sulfate
·         Ascorbic Acid (source of vitamin C)
·         Zinc Oxide
·         Thiamine Mononitrate
·         Beta-Carotene
·         Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate
·         Vitamin B12 Supplement
·         Manganous Oxide
·         Copper Sulfate
·         Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
·         Biotin
·         Vitamin D3 Supplement
·         Riboflavin
·         Calcium Iodate
·         Folic Acid
·         Sodium Selenite.

Recently, I had the opportunity to have a conversation with a regional manager for Nutro, about Prescription Diet to find alternatives are available requiring a little research into ingredients, matching the essential ingredient content. The closest he could suggest was His max product which had a 14% Protein content, with none f the Omega 3 fatty Acids. Frankly, unless you have this conversation with your vet or perhaps get a second vets opinion you should tread carefully not to disrupt a prescribed dietary regimen.

My concern here centers around maintaining her interest and keeping the Prescription Diet Canine K/D interesting to her. While this is a recent occurrence, we are still in the process of looking into all the options, but this one concerns me. She seems to like the food, which we mix with Prescription Diet Canine K/D in the can, mixing with water. The ramifications of this disease even have implications with treats, so you have to rethink your whole nutritional regimen.

While Hill's Science Diet Prescription Diet Canine K/D is expensive, at approximately $70.00 for a 40lb. bag, consider the alternatives. I am under no delusions here, my beloved Golden’s health issues will likely be an issue with her for the rest of her life but I will do everything I can, and look at every option to help her fight the effects of her disease including keeping her diet in check, no matter the cost.      

Recommended: Yes