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4th stage renal failure in my dog
I have a nine year old lab "Sandy Grace". She is in fourth stage renal failure-Of course she has seen her regular vet for fluids-ultra sound revealed she has one kidney which is failing. Creatine was 13-subs at home-now using hollistic and homepatic treatment. Recently more bad days than good. I am giving her ice chips which seem to work better for her than lapping. Pedialyte ice is also better. She throws up until she staggers and falls-I am continuously trying to hydrate her and giving her baby food-At times, she is able to keep it down, other times the vomiting is horrible. She continues to try for us, and we are fighting so hard for her-LIke others, I tuck her in at night (she sleeps on the loveseat with her "bankie" covering her). I am sleeping in the den with her so I can give her support throughout the night. Neither of us are getting much sleep. I have her spoiled now with hand feeding other than her baby food, and I hold her plate while she licks it up. I am using a recipe of egg yellow / whites, honey, and whole yogurt with a touch of dry powdered milk. This works sometimes. Sandy Grace is not ready to leave us-she continues to try-we try for her twenty-four hours a day. Is there any over the counter medication that I can give her that will help with her vomiting? We love her so much and she loves us so much-my husband and I feel like we will know when she is ready to go. We went to grocery store yesterday to buy more food supplies and liquids for her, when we got home, there she was looking out the window-barking for us to hurry and come inside-you open the door and there she is - -so excited, still wagging her tail for us. What can we do, this is our baby, she is so, so sweet-I know her days are numbered, but she is just not ready to leave. Help. Aggieone
The last month was the hardest for Daisy (and everyone else around her)! I was taking Dais to the vet for blood work every week for the last 4 or 5 weeks.
Hello again. No, six monthly is not enough. I would say at least every other month, because the results will tell you (and your vet) how he is doing, whether diet needs altering slightly, whether a phosphorus binder is appropriate, whether fluids need increasing, and whether certain supplementary meds vitamins and minerals needs to be added into the mix.
But your vet needs to be on board with this kind of intensive and adaptive management of CRF, so if your current vet doesn't seem keen - change to someone that will be more helpful. Of course, you do need to explain to your vet what you expect of them first, just so you are all playing on the same field as it were.
Black stools are a sign of several things, but primarily it usually means there is blood in the digestive tract. In CRF dogs, this can be from ulcers (a common ailment) in the stomach. Talk to your vet as a matter of some urgency and ask for their advice. Dogs can go into shock if they lose blood from stomach or duodenum ulceration, so it's best to be cautious. If he is still producing black stools, try scooping a little up into a clean jar, so the vet can send it off for testing.
Let me know how things go.
Tony
But your vet needs to be on board with this kind of intensive and adaptive management of CRF, so if your current vet doesn't seem keen - change to someone that will be more helpful. Of course, you do need to explain to your vet what you expect of them first, just so you are all playing on the same field as it were.
Black stools are a sign of several things, but primarily it usually means there is blood in the digestive tract. In CRF dogs, this can be from ulcers (a common ailment) in the stomach. Talk to your vet as a matter of some urgency and ask for their advice. Dogs can go into shock if they lose blood from stomach or duodenum ulceration, so it's best to be cautious. If he is still producing black stools, try scooping a little up into a clean jar, so the vet can send it off for testing.
Let me know how things go.
Tony
Well Tag has had good days and some bad days.. The bad days of course are hard! Last week I took him to the doggie park and he had a blast and so much energy and now the last few days he has been very tired and not wanting to do much of anything except snuggling with me.. I am trying to just take things one day at a time..
I have a few questions for everyone.. How often should I be getting his blood work done? My vet mentioned every 6 months to a year but that doesn't seem like enough..
Also lately Tag has had some very dark looks almost like black stools.. Not sure if this is something normal for CRF or if I need to take him into the Vet?
Thanks everyone! I hope everyone is doing well.
I have a few questions for everyone.. How often should I be getting his blood work done? My vet mentioned every 6 months to a year but that doesn't seem like enough..
Also lately Tag has had some very dark looks almost like black stools.. Not sure if this is something normal for CRF or if I need to take him into the Vet?
Thanks everyone! I hope everyone is doing well.
Thanks all. I know it's temporary but as you have all said....enjoy each day. I hope you are all well...think of you all each day.
Sammie's good news is because I found you and followed your suggestions. The vet said to keep her diet as it is..it seems to be helping.
THANK YOU ALL!!!
Charlene
Sammie's good news is because I found you and followed your suggestions. The vet said to keep her diet as it is..it seems to be helping.
THANK YOU ALL!!!
Charlene
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