Onyx had another series of tests today to determine how his kidneys are functioning. Unfortunately, it's not good. His urine is not concentrated properly and his BUN/Creatine levels are elevated. He is in the early stages of kidney failure.

His T-4 levels are slightly elevated, just at the borderline level for hyperthyroidism. His vet, Dr. Helen, thinks that slight elevation is helping his kidney function and that if we treat the hyperthyroidism we will, and I quote her clinic terms "Fry his kidneys". She believes that will shorten his life span and his quality of life dramatically and quickly. He is not a candidate for the radioactive iodine treatment due to the reduced kidney function. His heart, liver, blood pressure and all that other stuff that hyperthyroidism can affect are normal right now.

So for now, all she wants to do is redo the bloodwork every six months and change his diet, if he'll co-operate to a low protein renal support food. Not sure how I'll do that with kibble since I can't change the kibble the others eat and scheduled feedings cause a major rebellion in my house! Onyx loves canned food so I think I can get him to eat that easy enough.

I'm so sad and angry for him. He just turned 6 in September. He's too young for this!!