Daisy in final stage

[KrissyM87]

About three weeks ago found out my best friends numbers were off the charts. First vet suggested euthanasia, second gave me some options. I have been researching like crazy and trying everything possible, hollistic and prescribed by the vet. My Daisy, who will be 17 in April has been fighting hard. We have been doing SB fluids twice daily at home, along with many other things around the clock. I allowed my hopes to get to high. She has been so happy and alert, earing again (though still reluctantly) then the last couple days has started to refuse food again. Ive bought every option available and cooked many other options, she just won't eat it. She still keeps sniffing around looking for "junk" food dropped by my little ones. Today she stole a doughnut! Why would she be so drawn to eat junk food? I'm considering adding sugar to her food even though i know it is bad for her. I feel i have nothing to lose. She is waisting away and i can't watch her starve to death.

Another question. Does anyone have some great tips for giving the sb fluids? She is starting to fight me and it's breaking my heart, lately she is jerking around so much i end up having to stab her multiple times. I cannot keep doing this! I know if i stop the fluids she will get worse quickly but am not ready for that decision. I don't want to.be selfish and keep making her fight but i don't want to give up too soon as she is so happy agin, following me around again. How can i ever decide when she has had enough? This emotional roller coaster is killing me. I have had daisy since i was 11! She got me through soooo many hard times, now it is my turn but i feel i am not being strong enough for her. Please help

we are retesting her bloodwork tomorrow and im overly anxious. Her numbers about three weeks ago were crazy high. Bun off the charts >180  creatine 6.5  phoshporus 16 something. (she is sleeping on me or id go grab tge paper for reference)

Thanks for the support, no one in my life can understand right now, so im thankful to have found this group!

[KrissyM87]

We started fluids twice a day again. She has been tolerant again. Now thar she isn't so emaciated i can move around more. She has been one happy girl, going with us everywhere, everyday. Well last night at 10:45 she had what the vet called a "kidney attack" went into shock from a burst of pain. I thought she was going and kept holding her but by the time we got to vet she was much better. Sje was walking around tail up again and giving me kisses. Since ive gotten.home with her she has been getting worse and worse. She keeps falling when trying to have a bm, hasn't been able to get it out all day now. I try to help hold her, but of course then she stops. She started panting heavy again so i gave her some of the pain meda vet sent home today. I have come to the impossible decision that she does not want to keep fighting and that it is time. I have never had to euthanize a personal pet and this is my once in a lifetime amazing friend, so im not sure how i will get through it, buy know i need to be there for her. If she has not improved my morning i am taking her. Tonight i will hold her and pour all my love into her. We did check her.bloodwork again today and her numbers are almost as bad as originally. thank you all for the help and support. I know i will.need that more than ever as i keep second guessing, but i know she is really suffering and this is the last thing i can.give her, peace.

[tonyb286]

Hi. I empathise completely with where you are coming from. This is tough. Daisy is an elderly lady and you know her better than anyone else. If you think the time has come, then the time has come. In reality, even if she rallies with the extra fluids and diet changes, it will be short term. I've never heard the term 'kidney attack' and have no idea what your vet means by this, so can't really comment. It is however quite possible she had a small heart attack, which IS common when the kidneys are failing. Just out of interest (and without me re-reading your posts from the begining) has your vet checked her blood pressure recently?

Anyway, let us know what you decide and please, please come back for a chat either way. My thoughts are with you and Daisy.

Tony

[DogBlog]

I've been keeping up with your posts on Daisy and am so sorry to hear she's not doing well.  It's been seven months since I lost my Sammie to CKF and it's such a horrible decision to put them down.  However, in the end we knew she had fought the good fight and was ready to stop.  You will doubt yourself over and over again whichever decision you make.  Sometimes I worried I made her suffer too long, other times I worried I put her down too soon.  Her final day was very rough for her and I was happy she wasn't suffering anymore.  

Either decision, please know we are here for you.  Sending prayers your way.

My best,
Charlene

[KrissyM87]

Thank you both. I have done the same back and forth thinking. Why did i make her fight so long? Was i being selfish? Then, no it's too soon, she could come back from this again, she did it once before...
I am waiting for my husband to get home, works overnights. I knew i couldn't go alone, plus o have a two and five year old. But she couldn't even sleep last night, she could never get comfortable. So we have been up two nights in a row, then in the morning she seems a lil better, but still not good this morning, tail tucked, barely walking.

Yes Tony, we have been keeping an eye on her bp. It has never been above 130. Yesterday it was 110. She has no murmors etc. her heart is still clear and strong.

I don't know how i can do this, as soon as she looks at me i feel like it's too soon. But last night was awful again. Shaking, panting, falling, walking into walls. She cant support herself to squat long enough to get her bm out. I just know she is suffering, but does she want to fight again? :/

[Earlsteffie]

Krissy, I hate to see what your beloved Daisy is going through, along with yourself and your family. Whenever they reach a point, as you are describing, where they are stumbling, etc, it is time. I guess I shouldn't be giving my opinion. Just remember, at the stage Daisy is at, you WILL be doing what is Best for her, NO MATTER WHAT, days, weeks, months later, your conscience tells you. It will be absolutely the very hardest thing to do in your entire life, but it will the BEST thing for Daisy.

Theres no doubt that Daisy was blessed to have you care for her, as you were blessed to have had her for so long.

My thoughts are with you Krissy.

Earl

[tonyb286]

This sounds a little crazy to some ... but I believe it, so I'm passing it on. Daisy will tell you when she's ready. It will be in her eyes. And it will be very clear to you what she's saying. The best owners (like you) know their best friends so well, conversations become instinctive. If she's looking at you and saying, mom, I'm ready, then the time has come. My heart sinks when I think of those words, because I know how painful it is to even think them, never mind say them. You are the only person Daisy has to truly talk to, because you and her share a special bond. Whatever you decide, I know it will be the right decision at the right time.

My heart is with you.

Tony x