Kidney failure

[beth235]

Hello my boy who is 13 next month was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure back in June. Since then he has shown some changes. Often sick , a lot of feeling nauseas, cramps , twinges shortness of breath , itchy on a night and very lethargic. It’s very horrible to see. We have changed his diet and medication for arthritis and to raw nutriment support . His behaviour over the past few weeks have gone down hill. So we’ve got him a blood test. If anyone has any knowledge in this area would
You mind having a look at Charlie’s results please it would be appreciated- he’s my little baby Iv had him since 8 weeks old

 

[AmyMay]

Kidney failure is an awful, hideous thing for any animal to go through.

13 is a good age……

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Have you asked your vet what the prognosis is? I am surprised that they haven't told you, tbh. If my dog was as ill as yours sounds I would pts while he still has some dignity left. If it's horrible to see, what do you think it feels like?

 

[Sandstone1]

Its very hard when you have a much loved dog with a terminal illness. The best person to advise you is your vet. When his good days out weigh the bad its time to think about his quality of life.

 

[AmyMay]

OP, I think you originally posted about this in May. I’m sorry there’s been no improvement.

You need to speak to your vet about making the hardest decision we have to make for our beloved pets.

 

[GSD Woman]

I'm so sorry. This bloodwork doesn't look good. It's time to have a hard, serious talk with your vet. Enjoy the time you have and do what must be done and when. What I would do may not be right for you.

 

[beth235]

Thanks for your responses. I do understand where your coming from. It’s hard I feel I have different people saying different things. My vet said mainly urea is the issue ( also blaming it on his diet we feed him nutriment raw for kidney failure). ahd could get a IV. but he. Seems to be ignoring the other values I will be taking him to a new vet today. It’s so hard to. Detach emotions

 

[AmyMay]

How is a third vet going to make a difference to what the outcome should (now) at this stage be?

 

[Annette4]

I'll be honest, as soon as my boy (the same age with kidney failure) stopped enjoying the things he used to enjoy I said goodbye. Its hard but I've always said I'd rather let them go a day too early than a day too late.

 

[skinnydipper]

Hello my boy who is 13 next month was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure back in June. Since then he has shown some changes. Often sick , a lot of feeling nauseas, cramps , twinges shortness of breath , itchy on a night and very lethargic. It’s very horrible to see. We have changed his diet and medication for arthritis and to raw nutriment support . His behaviour over the past few weeks have gone down hill.

As heartbreaking as it is for us to have a much loved pet PTS, the time comes when this is the kindest thing we can do for them.

 

[Umbongo]

OP, all of his kidney values have gotten worse since May according to the graphs (SDMA, UREA, CREA), the other values; high chloride, low calcium, low TP, albumin etc are all seen with animals in kidney failure. I am unsure what you think another vet will be able to tell you. Unfortunately there is no treatment for kidney failure, only supportive care to keep patients comfortable and eating for as long as they are able to. For some it may be months or years, and for some only days or weeks.

Some animals can be behaving quite normally, and have awful blood results. Some can appear incredibly sick but their bloods are fine!
Don't listen to what other people are saying. Be guided by your vet and how your dog is behaving. You need to listen to your dog, he doesn't sound well and has gone downhill in the last few weeks. It's heartbreaking, but you need to be considering euthanasia as an option for him. Does he have more bad days than good? If yes, then I would be booking the appointment to say goodbye. Better a day too early than a day too late. Nobody likes to see their animals suffer, and euthanasia is the last kindest thing we can do for our loyal companions.

 

[beth235]

Again thanks for all the responses. I think the issue thats conflicting my views is he is still eating all his food. I totally get everyone’s opinions. I guess I am clutching at straws. It’s just hard. But yes I do see where tour all coming from.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Often sick , a lot of feeling nauseas, cramps , twinges shortness of breath , itchy on a night and very lethargic. It’s very horrible to see. We have changed his diet and medication for arthritis and to raw nutriment support . His behaviour over the past few weeks have gone down hill.

Does this really sound like a dog who is enjoying life?
I'm sorry, OP, when you take on a pup you *must* be aware that part of being a responsible owner is taking the final decision at the right time for your pet. I haven't seen your pet, so I can't really say how many good days he has compared to bad days but if what you are writing is what you see, it sounds like the time has come.

It's not really a good thing to think of your dog as your 'baby', he isn't he's your pet. Most people's children outlive them without ever having a serious illness, very few pets outlive their owners, so the owners have to be prepared to face the end and in most cases they need their owner to step up and make a responsible decision, rather than doing us the favour of dying peacefully in their sleep.

It isn't easy, none of us find it so but we console ourselves by being able to say that we gave our dogs a good life and the best possible death.

 

[AmyMay]

Again thanks for all the responses. I think the issue thats conflicting my views is he is still eating all his food. I totally get everyone’s opinions. I guess I am clutching at straws. It’s just hard. But yes I do see where tour all coming from.

Even a dying dog will eat ?

 

[deb_l222]

Again thanks for all the responses. I think the issue thats conflicting my views is he is still eating all his food. I totally get everyone’s opinions. I guess I am clutching at straws. It’s just hard. But yes I do see where tour all coming from.

Every single one of my dogs (bar one) has never stopped eating when they have been poorly so that's not a brilliant indicator of all round general health.

You've said in an earlier post to try and detach your emotions but you need to embrace them, not step back from them. Facing the death of a much loved pet (horse, dog, cat) is REALLY hard. They become so entwined in our lives and it's hard to let go. Yes, wouldn't it be perfect if they just fell asleep one night and didn't wake up but 99% of the time that doesn't happen and we have to make the final decision.

We are blessed that we CAN make that decision for our animals (unlike humans) and let them go with dignity, while there is still some quality of life left. Only you can make the decision, being guided by your vet and your vet only. Asking random people online (no offence HHO users) isn't going to give you a different answer as much as you might want it to.

I'm not going to tell you what do do either, only you can make that decision but if you haven't had a dog put to sleep before, the process is very quick and very peaceful so you don't need to worry. Your dog won't feel a thing.

Best of wishes, whatever you decide to do. It's a horrible but inevitable time in our canine companion's lives.

 

[splashgirl45]

you need to look at your dog and ask yourself is he enjoying every day, if not is he enjoying most days and are the other days not too bad, if that answer is yes then i would say its ok to keep him going. but it sounds like he is having some pretty awful days and there is no miracle cure for kidney failure so you need to judge his quality of life overall and ignore the fact that he is still eating. dogs are usually extremely ill if they stop. dont wait for the vet to tell you when to call it a day, you decide and you tell the vet your decision..its our responsibility to make the decision before their quality of life is compromised and 13 is a good age for a bigger dog...sorry you are having this dilemma but you need to make the right decision for your dog and not for you