This week’s segment features Marley the 16-year-old Jack Russell Terrier mix!! Marley came to us for overall lethargy and decreased appetite. After running some bloodwork, we found out that Marley had some elevations in his kidney values and was in the early stages of kidney disease. As dogs and cats age, the nephrons- which are the filtering units in the kidney- can begin to lose function and increase the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine in the blood. The increase in those values will lead to decreased appetite, increased thirst, and overall lethargy. Marley was started on Epakitin and all-natural product used to help the kidneys filter the blood more efficiently to decrease amount of BUN and creatinine in the blood. Marley was also started on subcutaneous fluids which are used to maintain hydration and decrease the amount of work the kidneys are having to do. Once a pet is diagnosed with kidney disease, it is a long-term disease process. With a close monitoring and management protocol, Marley is back to feeling happy and healthy!!