Dealing with dogs kidney failure

[gracie_78]

How do others deal about the pain they are going through knowing that their dog only has a few weeks left?
My cocker spaniel who just turned 11years old in Oct. only has a few weeks left, as I was told by a specialist who took his ultra sound in Dec. 26, 2011. He said that his right kidney is destroyed and that his left kidney has about 25% left.
He has a tumor within his bladder and his urine cannot pass thru which goes into his kidney and damages it.

When we had Shaggy checked out in May our vet said that it's UTI...because I mentioned to him that he'd pee and then go to other spots and nothing comes out. So he was given anti-biotics. This went on for several months.

Then we finally took an x-ray and couldn't really see much, except there were little calculi and that his left kidney was enlarged...asked the vet what caused it to enlarge and they did not know.  So we put Shaggy on a special diet food for stones...Royal Canin. We did that for a month and a half until he didn't want to eat that food any longer.

Then I asked vet what can the next option be and he suggested an ultra sound. At this point his urine was having blood it it.

And then the most heart breaking news I got was on Dec. 26. After his ultra sound vet showed us the ultra sound and told me the bad news... which led me to just burst out in tears and tried to fight it. After all of this bad news...I've been trying my best to be strong for him.

Yesturday he got to spend New Years eve with us. He'll eat just a little. I'd give him chicken and rice..but today he'll sniff the chicken.

He still greets me when I come home, and he'll still go up and down the stairs. Vet told me that when he stops eating and doesn't greet me...then I know its time.

I'm just having a hard time dealing with this...and everytime I think about putting him to sleep my heart just aches.

[lyninsc]

My Chipoo Poe was 9 years old and in great health, and suddenly he was stumbling when walking through the house so I took him to the vet, informed he was dehydrated even though he was drinking water day and night.  Asking to go outside to the bathroom normally.  But at the Vets office when I went to pick him up I was informed he was in the final stages of renal failure.  Told take him home and keep up his quality of life for as long as he lasted.  One week later my baby boy was gone.  He didn't suffer he wasn't in pain well not that he would let me see.  He laid in my lap and kept nuzzling my neck and giving me puppy sugars.   On his last day all he wanted was to be held.  Funny thing was that I was laid up on the couch and in mass amount of pain, I didn't know at that time I also was suffering from Renal failure.  Two months after I lost my baby boy I had to have a dead kidney removed.  I am left wondering if we both consumed water that could have been unsafe to drink.  I had had Poes teeth remove two years prior because they were in such a sad state and didn't want them to afftect his health and I would have taken him to the vet if he had shown any symptoms.

[tonyb286]

Oh I am so very very sorry. I know how painful today must have been - and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. It hurts so deeply to lose our true and loyal soul mate. Facing life without Peanut must seem impossible, but believe me, this is the worst day. It won't get better tomorrow, but maybe a little bit the day after that - and gradually, the pain will ease, though the feeling of loss may take much longer to subside.

Peanut was certainly one very lucky dog. He was so loved and cared for, it shines through everything you have said about him. The both of you shared a lifetime of joys - just try to remember those times, and put the last horrible memories to one side, if you can. The bad times were short by comparison - and Peanut is at peace now, mercifully.

My thoughts are with you. Please come back and talk any time you feel the need. There will always be someone here to listen and support. I'm here most days too. I would love to hear more about Peanut.

You did the right thing - at the right time. Stay strong.

Tony x

[stefluvspeanut]

Tony thank you for your response and Im in tears right now as I write this to you. I made the decision yesterday to give my baby the best possible ending he could have on this side of glory then I let him go. His last hours at home with me were precious moments of him laying in the bed next to me, in my arms, surrounded by love and affection and during the whole vet process he was in my arms with me singing our song to him crying and whispering how much I loved him and how much I would miss him, as he peacefully crossed over in to glory. God knows it was the hardest thing to do but in the end it was the right thing to do. I just miss him so much that it hurts for me to breathe right now. I don't have children therefore all of my love, time, attention and money was poured into my best friends and honestly a piece of my heart has literally died and im lost, confused, angry, hurt, and unhappy. I have so many emotions going on inside of me until I fear my blood pressure will skyrocket out of control. I miss my baby, Tony and Im here as his caretaker with no one to take care of and Im lost. Father God, I didnt think it would hurt so bad but it really hurts. Im trying so hard to find a reason to push forward and its almost unbearable but I know Peanut would want me to be strong and keep living. Thank you for your words of kindness, I appreciate the support so much, Peanut thanks you Im sure for comforting me through my time of grieving. God bless you

[stefluvspeanut]

Im writing you with a heavy heart and tears in my eyes. I made the decision yesterday after holding my darling close to me for hours, crying and telling him how much I love him and how good of a friend he has been over the years. It was hard but he gave me the green light in his own little way and I released him from his earthly pain and he walked over into glory. I miss him so much it hurts. I just want my baby back. I find myself trying to catch glimpses of him throughout the house. I smell his binky where he slept, Ive collected some of his short little hairs, and gathered up all of his meds just so I can look at them and be close to him. God it hurts and im torn into a million little pieces. It feels like my world has ended and I have no where to go from here. There was so many little things he did throughout the years that brought me such joy and I miss him more than I care to breathe right now. Lord, God please let me get pass this traumatic experience with peace of mind because right now I feel like Im losing it and my desire to eat or do anything is gone. Connie, im sorry to burden you with this but this is my new reality. One without the love of my life, and Im lost. I do know that he is at peace and that he forgives me for having to make that dreaded decision but his pain in the end was more than he could bare and more than I could watch him bare. I thank you for your kind words of inspiration and prayers Connie, its because of people like you that I will make it through this season of my life. God bless you and thanks again
Stef

[TwoBitsMom]

Hi Stepluvspeanut....
My heart hurts for you.  Prayers are sent your way, for both you and Peanut.
I know you have some difficult decisions to make, You know Peanut best. You are really the only one who can decide what is best for him. I know you are probably hoping for some good advice, all I have to offer, is...If you have any doubt at all about whether or not this is the right time to euthanize...then, now is not the time.
I think you will KNOW in your heart, when the time arrives, and I think Peanut will let you know.
I realize that your vet says Peanut is in stage 2. I think that the numbers only tell you how his kidneys are doing...they don't really tell you how your dog is doing. All dogs handle things differently.  
It sounds like you need to discuss Peanuts condition further with his vet, and discuss your options and feelings with your Husband.  
You are doing the best you can for Peanut...he would not have made it this far without you. He is a lucky dog to have you making his decisions for him.
Stay strong...my thoughts and prayers are with you both.
Connie

[tonyb286]

Hello. I am so sorry you are going through this - and that Peanuts is going through this too. It sounds to me as if you have done everything you can and at 16 yrs, Peanuts has reached an amazing age, given all the issues he's had. I cannot give you advice on what to do or when, but I really don't think I need to in any case, because I think you already know. And yes, it's the hardest thing in the world, but it's also the last responsibility we have as dog owners. I can't say this will help, but it might - please read my piece here: http://www.infobarrel.com/When_a_Pet_Dog_Dies

You have found a good place here on MedHelp. There is always someone available for support, someone to chat to and someone who will listen - and most are people, like me, that have gone through what you are going through, so we understand and empathise. You and Peanuts are in my thoughts today.

Tony