[Jeffaz]

Two purebred Shihtzus one mom and one a boy from mom. Mom is 8 years old and boy is 6 years old. Recently Mom's kidneys shut down and she went into vet and they have had her on saline and antibiotics but nothing is working and today they had to put mom down. Boy (our dog) went into vet 24 hours ago with kidney failure on same treatement of antiobiotics and saline now. Doesn't seem to be working and he isn't eating at all. Dogs live 40 miles apart haven't been together since may and they have had no other conditions in the past other then the boy had valley fever once. Two Different vets are stumped about what the problem could be and at the moment looks like Monday our dog (the boy) will have to be put down if nothing changes. Anyone have any experience with problems like this in the past. Any advice at all?

Boy dog lives in Mesa, Az and Mom lived in Maricopa, Az both dogs are primarily inside dogs.

[Lucky098]

It could be genetic. It could be a parasite, virus or protozoan that is common in az that takes time in the body to grow into whatever killed these dogs. I would also guess poisoning, but since the dogs don't live together, I Doubt it. But I wouldn't rule it out.

If this dog passes on, you should order a necropsy and find out why. I know that's a grim answer, but that's what I'd do if both dogs died from the same problem.

Is there any specialty centers in Az? That might be worth looking into. Those centers are typically apart of a vet school and have unlimited resources and can take on the weird stuff. Most normal clinics don't have the means to take on strange cases and give a diagnosis.

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Losing a pet, no matter how, is always hard.

[paleophlatus]

Our condolences for your losses. I know that speculation at this time is of value only as it may supply some closure for those involved with the losses.

One of the kidney diseases that often goes undiagnosed, partly because the symptoms are so vague at first, partly because there are no simple or specific tests, and partly because there is no cure, is called 'amyloidosis', or the deposition of a protein substance called amyloid within the renal tubules. This condition is also believed to be recessively inherited in the Shar Pei, and possibly to some extent in other breeds. But it is not limited to any specific breed or species.

As amyloid builds over time, it gradually reduces the ability of the kidneys to do their job. A kidney can appear to be functioning normally until it loses half of it's total capacity. The dog can live normally with just half of one kidney functioning at normal capacity. So, you can see how far this sort of process has gone by the time it begins to be detected by normal blood tests, urine output, and outward signs by the animal.

Understand, I have no way of knowing if this is in any way involved with these two pets, just that it is one often overlooked (initially) condition that is possibly at the root of more otherwise unexplained kidney failures than we realize. Another reason even a rudimentary necropsy may be beneficial in explaining a loss such as these. I hope this is of some help.

[shazamataz]

I am also sorry for your loss. I used to have a Shih Tzu as well, he was 10 years old when he had to be put to sleep with the same problem.
Being that it is mother/son it could be genetic, but it could also just be a coincidence.
Elliott was a stud dog in his day and produced half a dozen litters, none of the pups have had liver problems but that could have just been dumb luck that the females never carried the gene as well.

I don't think you will ever know for sure, which is extremely frustrating I know, but take comfort in knowing that both these dogs knew they were loved.
We have had to put a few dogs to sleep in my time and every one of them seemed to have this 'knowing' look in their eye, they know we are only doing what is best for them.