Not drinking

[Pzulz]

Maggie was recently diagnosed with CKF.  She started on the KD diet but wasn't keeping it down,  We switched to a homemade diet with Pepcid.  She is doing better with it but doesn't seem to want to drink. Any suggestions?  She sleeps most of the day.  

[tonyb286]

Hello Paula. I am so very sorry for your loss. I do think you made the right decision. Maggie was a precious and loved member of your family, so grieving will be hard for everyone. Most of us in this Group understand what you are going through, and we empathise. It is a tough and painful journey. BUT ... try to keep uppermost in your mind that you gave Maggie the best of times. A life full of love, care and attention - and rich in adventures and experiences. What dog could ask for more.

Run free Maggie.

Tony x

[DogBlog]

Oh Paula, I'm so sorry about Maggie.  My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.  Having gone through this in September, I understand the pain so well.  Take the time to grieve and don't let anyone tell you you shouldn't.  We are here for you.
Best regards,
Charlene

[Pzulz]

After having spent the past 24 hours on the couch without getting down, we, as a family, decided it was time to let go.  We have been going to the same vet for 25 years.  I have know him since I was a kid.  He was so kind and allowed us the time we needed.  Thoughts for our sons, 17,19, and 22 would be appreciated, as well as for my husband and I.  Our middle son is in the USAF.  I have been preparing him with updates and videos but it was still a difficult call to make as well as to receive. I can't thank you enough for the support when I needed it.  
Paula

[DogBlog]

My thoughts and prayers will be with you!!  Only you can decide what is right for your baby....there's no "wrong" in this equation.  Keep us posted.

[Pzulz]

Maggie is 11.  Her sister went into acute renal failure 5 years ago.  The vet thinks it is probably hereditary.She is really slowing down.  We have decided to let nature take it's course since her numbers were so high when this was discovered.  We are monitoring her progress with our vet.  Thank you for all the help and advice.  

[DogBlog]

sorry .... my tablet tends to have it's own mind.  What I wanted to say was I would get some fluid therapy right away.  Don't wait.  It did help Sammie a couple of times and got her eating and drinking which made her stronger!!

[DogBlog]

How old is Maggie?  I agree with Tony's last advice.....I would get some fluid

[tonyb286]

Hi. I am very sorry Maggie isn't eating or drinking. This means you now have a very difficult decision to make. I personally think it is worth getting her to have fluid therapy NOW, but don't wait, because things will decline very rapidly from here onwards. If you go ahead with this, make sure the fluid therapy your vet gives includes nutrients and essential vitamins. I would say you may need to infuse fluids twice daily - but take your vet's advice.

If you decide against this, then I suspect there will be rapid deterioration over the coming days. It would be kinder to consider euthanasia now rather than when she is suffering much more. This is the hardest thing, but only you can make that decision.

With fluid therapy you may gain some time and maybe enough to get her eating and drinking properly again. There is no guarantee, of course, but if I were in your situation right now, I would probably give it a go and then reassess after three or four days. Fluid therapy will take at least that amount of time to start working, if it works at all. It could be that it is already past a point of no return, but if you want to use up all the options, then fluids are crucial.

Don't wait.

Tony

[Pzulz]

Tony, I feel like she is declining extremely quickly.  She no longer wants anything to ear and continues to drop weight.  Our vet did not discuss fluid therapy.  We think it is mainly because of her age and advanced stage.We are currently trying to get her to drink and eat the "meatloaf."  We decided to let her have anything she wants, which isn't really much.  She enjoyed a little Thanksgiving turkey and is just getting a lot of cuddle time from our boys, 17 and 22.  She wanted nothing to do with the broth/water.  

[tonyb286]

You are very welcome. Some dogs are poor drinkers and this doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad thing, under normal circumstances. However, fluids help a CKF dog excrete toxins trapped in the body, so good hydration is crucial for these dogs. In time, you will probably need to discuss fluid therapy with your vet, which involves giving Maggie fluids intravenously or subcutaneously. Your vet can help you achieve this at home (which is better for Maggie and cheaper for you), so it's worth talking about it at your next vet appointment.

Tony

[Pzulz]

I will give it a try Tony.  Thank you guys so much..

[tonyb286]

You could also try a very simple chicken broth. Basically, just boil chicken scraps (or a piece of human grade chicken meat) in a pan of water. You shouldn't add anything to this - and particularly no salt or onions - though you could add carrots, cabbage, potato. Once its been simmering for about half an hour, either sieve it or blend everything together (remove any bones first), then allow to cool. Most dogs will happily lap this up. It has the advantage of hydrating and providing a small amount of nutrition, without phosphorus and sodium issues. Tony

[Pzulz]

Thank you.  I will give it a try!  

[DogBlog]

Sorry to hear Maggie has CKF.  When I started cooking for my Sammie, I mixed "minute" tapioca just with the water and mixed it in her food.  She loved it and I knew she was getting liquid.  I mixed the water and the tapioca, let it sit for a while, then microwave it for 3 minutes.  It will thicken up.  I mixed it up then microwaved another 3 minutes.  Mixed it again and added water if it was too thick.  Another 3 minutes in the microwave and then let it cool.   I made enough for several meals....keeping  it refrigerated.  It becomes very gel like but I would keep adding water and mixing with her food.  Worth a try for Maggie!