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End stage kidney failure?

My Pepper is an 8 year old Aussie.  Last week, I brought her to the vet when she hadn't eaten for a few days and had stopped drinking water that day.  She was vomiting bile and had yellow diarrhea.  After her labwork, the vet informed me that my dog has kidney disease.  Her numbers that day (12/24) were: Creatinine, 10.8, BUN, 123.  She recommended that we leave her there so they could administer IV fluids.  On December 26th, her creatinine was 9.7 and her BUN was 103.  Numbers going down, that's good, right?  I picked her up yesterday, and her creatinine was 7.9 and her BUN was 95.  She has had nothing to eat or drink since she's been home, and she threw up a lot of bile this morning and had two accidents in the house.  Her breathing is labored and it's obvious she does not feel well at all.  I think I am faced with the horrible decision of having to say goodbye.  The vet never told me that my dog was in end stage renal failure.  I figured that out on my own when I started doing my own research.  By all accounts, her creatinine levels are through the roof, even after three days of fluids.  I'm very confused, and honestly feel as though the vet was pulling the wool over my eyes.  Had she told me from the outset that Pepper's kidneys were only functioning at 15-20% AT THE MOST, I would not have left her in the hospital for three days only to have her home and worse.  I would have brought her home and kept her as comfortable as possible.  I am so mad, and so heartbroken.  I feel that at these levels, nothing short of a kidney transplant would make my dog feel better.  I guess my question is: is there any hope for Pepper at all?
12 Responses
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1916673 tn?1420233270
Hi. I know it's been a month and we've not heard from you ... so, I'm just here asking how you are and hope you are still visiting the forum. Losing a best friend is never easy and although time does help, grief can also continue to hit us dramatically for months and years, from time to time. I just wanted you to know that you are in our thoughts. You are part of "the family" here, so neither you or Bailey will be forgotten.

Regards

Tony x
Helpful - 0
7622073 tn?1409085258
Oh Crystal......I'm so very sorry about Pepper.   Please know our thoughts, prayers and tears are with you.  Hopefully, she has met my Sammie in doggie heaven.....everyone and every dog loved Sammie.  She'll be a good guardian!!

You did everything you could and sometimes it's just out of our hands.  Having just gone through this, I know how raw the pain is.  Grieve when you need to but try to remember the good times and good days!!

We are here for you.

Regards,
Charlene
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you both!!  Keep doing what your doing.  Your helping so many people.  And to Darbies mom, I read all your posts and you are a wonderful mom to your baby, she is a very lucky pup. Hope she stays heathy for a long time.
Helpful - 0
1916673 tn?1420233270
Hi. I am so sorry to hear about Bailey passing. To be honest, you did a great job and getting him to survive 2 years with stage 4 is a real achievement. It sounds to me like you did a huge amount to help him and, sad though it is, you probably gained those two years through your own input, love, attention and devotion more than anything else. Losing a special friend is the hardest of journeys, but we are here if you want to talk about Bailey (or anything else). We would be delighted to hear about the life you shared, the happier times you enjoyed and the adventures you both had.

My sincere condolences. Run free Bailey.

Tony
Helpful - 0
9214378 tn?1408881584
Crystal,

My very sincere condolences with Bailey. He truly found a wonderful mom & loving friend in you:) I hope you find much comfort and peace during this time you grieve your pup...

Most Sincerely,

Lynne



Helpful - 0
9214378 tn?1408881584
How painfully sad...Whatever the outcome has been for Pepper these past days, please know I am sending prayers of comfort, as I know everyone here is also.

Most Sincerely,

Lynne
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Tony, I had no idea about the artificial sweetener being toxic.  Well, my baby lost his battle two days ago in my arms.  I want to thank you and everyone that posted their stories on this forum.  It got me through and it sadly comforting that I'm not alone.  He (Bailey) was 7 years old when I found out he was stage 4 CKF.  He was going in for a small removal of a cyst on his eyelid and when the vet did the blood work they discovered the advanced stage.  Strangely within a couple days the cyst ended up draining itself and was no more a problem.  I never would of known if that cyst wasn't their.  The vet put him on K/D canned food.  He quickly became lethargic and not interested in doing anything.  So I frantically did some research and found natures balance venison and sweet potato L.I.D. It has low phosphates and high quality protein.  As soon as I changed his food he almost instantly had energy and was happy again. He ended up living almost two years in stage 4 I believe it was the food and possibly our bond. I love that boy more than anything and I deeply miss him.  He was a Lhasa Apso and followed me everywhere, if I was sitting, he always wanted to be on my lap.
Again, I want to thank you for helping people get through this horribly and difficult time.  It helped me a lot.

Crystal
Helpful - 0
1916673 tn?1420233270
Hi. Just a quick word to be a little bit careful of yogurt. Plain is usually fine, but check the ingredients for ANY artificial sweeteners (such as xylitol), which are toxic to canines. It's also worth noting that flavored yogurts often have fruit seeds, which can have cyanide in them, so always go for the plain varieties.

What have you tried to feed Pepper in the last few days? I'm sure I can come up with a few alternatives to try. Let me have a list and I'll suggest a few things.

Tony
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
How is Pepper?

My dog is at the same stage Pepper is at. He's at final stage kidney failure and has stopped eating 4 days ago. IV fluids are keeping him comfortable along with Cerenia (anti nausea meds) I started putting organic Greeks yogurt w chia seeds on my finger and putting it on his teeth just to get something in him.

Good luck, I would like to know how things are.



Helpful - 0
1916673 tn?1420233270
Hello. Sorry you and your best friend are going through this ... you are not alone and have come to the right place for help and support. I agree, her numbers are very high and it may not be possible to prevent what is inevitable, but we can try to slow it down. Fluids are crucial - you need IV Fluids that you can undertake at home. Your vet should advise you how to do this and, by doing it yourself, it will be cheaper and less stressful for your dog. These specialised fluids need to be rich in nutrients and canine required vitamins, because these will help provide energy.

You can also supplement the fluids with anything your dog will eat. If she pulls through this critical stage, then we can concentrate on the type of foods being given - but right now, anything she will eat is good, because she needs the energy. You might try some cold cooked human grade chicken (leave the skin on, because the fat is good for her) or even some chicken broth she can lap at from time to time.

Keep us posted and keep asking questions.

You and Pepper are in my thoughts.

Tony
Helpful - 0
7622073 tn?1409085258
So very sorry to hear about Pepper.  I don't know a lot on the medical end but do agree the numbers are high.  I wouldn't give up though.  When my Sammie was diagnosed, after changing her diet and giving her some meds, her numbers went down and she was in my life 9 months more than expected.  One of the things your vet can do is give her fluids.  I cooked for Sammie (organic chicken with the skin, high grade ground pork and mixed with Tapioca).  For meds, she was on 1/2 a Tums (she was a small dog), a famotidine...both for her stomach, and a vitamin.  Every dog is different but it's worth trying everything.  If you can get Pepper to eat, that will help.  If you read posts from others, you'll get other food ideas.

Keep us posted....we're here for you.  Also...don't be worried about changing vets if you are not happy.  I changed twice until I found an internal specialist who didn't just write Sammie off.
Helpful - 0
11419535 tn?1418065092
I'm so sorry to hear about Pepper.  Unfortunately kidney damage is not reversible, but there maybe interventions to help.  Has your vet talked about medications and adding subQ fluids at home?  These measures has help some dog feel more comfortable.
Helpful - 0
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