When Shelby, a five-year-old German Shepherd from Belagavi, stopped eating, became lethargic, and began vomiting repeatedly, his family knew something was seriously wrong. Over the next two weeks, the once energetic dog underwent treatment and prolonged hospitalisation in Bengaluru, but his condition continued to deteriorate.
By the end of March, doctors had delivered devastating news: Shelby’s kidneys had suffered extensive damage, his chances of survival were minimal, and euthanasia was being considered.
Unwilling to give up, the Doddanavar family sought one final opinion and brought Shelby to The Small Animal Clinic in Pune on April 1.
What followed was a complex, high-risk treatment effort that eventually helped the dog recover from severe kidney failure and avoid both euthanasia and a transplant.
According to Dr Narendra Pardeshi, veterinary surgeon at the clinic, Shelby arrived in an extremely critical state. Investigations, including blood tests, sonography, ECG, and blood pressure monitoring, revealed a creatinine level of 6.06 mg/dL, an indicator of serious kidney dysfunction.
“Both kidneys were severely compromised, with nearly 85 per cent damage. In such cases, the prognosis is generally considered poor, and euthanasia is often discussed because recovery chances are extremely limited,” said Dr Pardeshi.
Doctors identified tick fever as one of the primary causes behind the kidney damage.
Given the severity of the condition, Shelby was immediately started on hemodialysis, a treatment more commonly associated with human medicine but increasingly being used in advanced veterinary care.
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The dog underwent four planned cycles of dialysis on alternate days beginning April 1. Doctors say the procedure helped remove toxins from the blood while giving the kidneys time to recover.
“The first signs of improvement came gradually after each dialysis session. By the third cycle on April 7, his creatinine levels had reduced to 4.85 mg/dL,” said Dr Pardeshi.
Following this, dialysis was stopped and Shelby was shifted to oral medication and a prescription renal diet. Over the next few days, he slowly began eating and drinking on his own again. His urine output improved, and follow-up scans showed better blood flow in both kidneys.
By April 17, his creatinine levels had dropped further to 3.52 mg/dL, indicating significant recovery.
For Shelby’s owners, the emotional toll of the ordeal was immense. “We were completely shattered seeing Shelby suffer like that. The same playful, loving dog had suddenly become weak, quiet, and in pain,” said Mrs Doddanavar, Shelby’s owner. “When euthanasia was suggested, we felt helpless. But we just couldn’t give up on him.”
Today, Shelby is stable, active, off intravenous medication, and preparing to return home with his family.
Veterinarians say the case highlights a growing shift in animal health care in India, where advanced interventions such as dialysis, intensive care, and specialised diagnostics are increasingly becoming available for pets.
“Many pet owners still believe there are no options once kidney failure becomes severe. But with timely referral and specialised treatment, even critically ill animals can sometimes recover,” said Dr Pardeshi.