Kindey problem, not sure what to do...suggestion

[pattysdaddy]

(first, i know no one can tell me what to do but some suggestions would be appreciated)

Ok. so patty has been sick. Stopped eating, started eating again but threw up, then she'd be ok for a day or two, then get sick or not eat. She lost alot of weight. I took her to the vet, the vet did some blook work and said she has problems with her kidneys and its not good.

The options now are to take her in put her on fluids for a couple days (IV at the vet)

Or just keep her here, and see "if" she gets better.

Or (this one is tough to type) euthanize her.

Basically the vet said that she could live another 6 months to a year, but at the same time she's seen dogs less advanced in the case then her and live less time.


I really don't know what to do....any opinions?

On the one hand, I don't want her to have to suffer, but it pains me to put her down.

 

[elegy]

it's a hard situation to be sure. how old is she?

i guess i would say that there's nothing wrong with trying, and that if she doesn't respond to treatment and continues to feel badly, you can make the decision then to euthanize her. you might be spending a whole lot of money and not succeeding in getting her home, but you might spend the money and have a dog who can live a relatively good quality of life for any number of months. it's such an individual case-by-case thing- how damaged their kidneys are, how they respond to treatment.

i'm sorry your pup is so sick and i wish you guys the best.

 

[SeniorPetLover]

I have had a lot of experience with chronic renal failure. It is the bane of senior dogs. However, I have had very good results by feeding a home cooked diet low in sodium and phosphorus. I do not feed the low protein prescription diets. In fact, I feed moderate protein, but I make sure that the protein sources are highly digestible because the kidneys only have to filter what cannot be digested & absorbed.

I give a digestive enzyme along with each meal. I also use Epakitin and Azodyl, along with other nutritional supplements. I filter the water that I give to the dogs because of all of the chemicals contained in tap water.

I keep a bag of fluids on hand, and depending on the stage of the disease, I give sub-q fluids multiple times daily as needed. If a nausea is a problem, I use Reglan and I have used liquid Tagament to help with the stomach problems, but lately I have been trying to take a more holistic approach. There are many holistic options availabe.

Research a lot, but be prepared to have to really weigh out the information because some of it is contridictory. Also, understand that some vets are still practicing treatments taught to them in vet school 25 or more years ago and they are not open to any new or alternative ways of thinking or methods of treatment. Some will also discourage the use of herbal or holistic supplements simply because they believe that the only correct approach is the pharmaceutical approach.

There have been some major changes in protocol over the recent years. Only the most progressive vets embrace them. You will be overwhelmed with information. What works well for one dog does not always work for the next, so you have to tinker with things until you get your dog stabalized and find out what gives the best response. It may take a while for your dog to respond. You have to work closely with your vet so you can measure response by looking at blood work.

I have blood drawn weekly while I am trying to get the correct combination of support. Once the numbers begin to stabalize, I move it out to bi-weekly, then monthly, etc. All of this lab work can be expensive, but I think it is necessary because you have to try to get those values as close to normal as you can, but it takes time.

Educate yourself to detect an acute bout because it is always an emergency situation and hospitalization may be required.

This diagnosis is not necessarily a death sentence and you can squeeze many years of quality life out of some dogs. However, it is a life changing diagnosis for both you and your dog. You have to commit to consistent daily support in order to manage the condition. You can't just open up a can of food one day or skip meds because he seems to be feeling good. It is a major effort. Feeding the prescription diet is easier, but I have never had the same successful results.

Good luck. I know it is scary, but we are all here to help so don't hesitate to ask questions or bounce ideas off of us. You have a very broad base of experience here, so be sure to take advantage of it.

 

[youbetcha1018]

That's a tough situation for you and your dog.The only best thing to do is pray for her.I'm hoping for his recovery.