What to expect with Chronic Kidney Failure

[ShatzysMom]

Hi everyone,
My name is Lori and I'm Mom to my beloved pom/mini eskie cross whose name is Shatzy (it is a German term of endearment meaning "little treasure")
Shatzy is 10 years old and at the age of 8 went blind literally in one day from SARDS (sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome). Because he went blind so fast and never had the chance to get use to his world getting dark, he went from an eternal puppy one day to an old man of a dog the next. I kept taking him on his walking route everyday to try and keep his routines the same. It took well over 6 months of doing this but he eventually learned to let me guide him with his leash and harness.
But since going blind, especially within the last 6 or 7 months (maybe even longer but my mind is a mess right now) he would go through "good and bad" days. Good days is where he was walking with his head up and strength in his steps, eagerly sniffing everything. Bad days is when I had to encourage or gently pull his leash to move him forward. He would occasionally seem to get confused or lost when sounds would throw him off like rain falling or wind blowing leaves across the pavement.
Then 6 days ago he was going through another one of his "bad days" again...or so I thought. I took him to the vet to have his anal glands expressed because he also suffered from gland problems in that region. Every time he had the glands emptied it would only be a couple of days and he was back to normal walking pace. But 2 days later it was the same. He acted no differently. He was spending all day sleeping while my elderly Mother, who lives in the downstairs suite, doggie sat him while I was at work.
I took him to his regular vet (the one who does the anal expression is cheaper but not his regular vet). They did xrays, blood work and took urine samples. The vet said his prostate was enlarged which may or may not be the problem with him not acting right. But said the bloodwork will show more. She noted that the urine sample looked quite diluted too so there may be something going on with his kidneys.
The next day (Saturday) a different vet who works in the office called me and said the bloodwork came back and it showed kidney failure. I would be getting a call from the vet on Monday when they opened. I am anxiously awaiting to call the vet first thing tomorrow to see if there is something I can do for my boy.
He seems to be in pain. Ever since the office had closed which was just after I received the call about the blood results he had started to subtley but constantly shiver as he lays there. I had the displeasure of watching him have great difficulty getting himself up from a laying position all yesterday evening and all day today.
Its crazy how rapidly he is declining. I cook him dinner every other day and his meal on Thursday was gobbled up no problems, but yesterday he only took a few mouthfuls and turned his nose away. Today he does not want to eat anything but he had taken some drinks from his water dish and I am giving him more water with a syringe to keep him well hydrated.
I guess what I am trying to ask now that I have given a bit of my story is what I should be expecting? I have been trying to read up as much as I can on chronic kidney failure and I realize what damage that has been done cannot be corrected, many cases don't usually show signs until the very late stages since the kidneys can function and the dog can appear ok until there is only a small fraction still working. I fear that all the symptoms he is showing now are all signs he is near the end. His breath smells bad and the shivering he is doing are some of the signs of it being really far gone, from what I've read. He has also been very sleepy and lethargic, but that is somewhat a normal for him since going blind 2 years ago. Good and bad days again.
He's been my best friend and reason for joy for his entire life, just like many dog parents feel about theirs. I would love to try some treatments to help make him comfortable and maybe have some quality of life for the last bit of time he has left. When a dog shows these kinds of symptoms (bad breath and quivering) is there no treatment other than euthanazia? It would kill me to do this although I will out of love if he is suffering that badly. I would hope he would rather leave on his own terms and hopefully peacefully pass in his sleep.
I have no idea how I will face coming home to a house that doesn't have him in it anymore. To not change out of my work boots and into my runners the second I got home to take him for his walk everyday. To not have the need to keep dividers up all around the house to keep my blind boy safe from stairwells or rooms with sharp cornered furniture. Not needing to buy his treats or food anymore. Seeing his bed without him laying in it anymore.
I was always hoping that when it came time for him to leave that I could see him go downhill slowly so I had the chance to prepare myself for the dreaded day. It seems like he is going so fast. Its only been 2 days ago he had the bloodwork and xrays done. That day he was still walking and nibbling on his treats. Today its like he is at deaths door.
Maybe I just needed to write to just get this off my chest more than I came for answers. I am hoping he makes it through the night so I can get him in to see the vet tomorrow. Thanks for listening. I can post updates if anyone would be interested

[nycgirl8]

Hi Lori,  I actually understand how you are feeling. My dog had kidney disease also and had the same bad breath and shaking.  I looked on the Internet for anything that can help make her feel better. I tried holistic meds, fish oil, pretty much anything that may help.  Kidney disease is awful. My dog couldn't walk , eat or drink water without human help.  I woke up every 3-4 hours so she can pee and drink water. I felt so sad to see such an active happy dog become helpless and sad.  All she did was sleep and look so sad.  I think to myself is this wat has become of such an active dog that used to chase cats, birds and jump on trees?  I was crying for days trying to make a decision on what to do but  I didn't have the heart too.  Days passed and nothing helped her feel better.  I finally decided to put her to sleep. It was the most painfull thing I've ever did in my life.  It has been 1 full week now and my heart is still broken.  I hope ur story ends differently.  I know fish oil helps, kidney gold helps and just google kidney meds for dogs.  There are so many things you can give ur dog.  Tums helps too but I didn't try it.  I felt it was too late for my 16 yr dog that couldn't even stand up.  I still think if I did the right thing.  If I let her go naturely will she suffer? I don't even know.  I just feel so lost sometimes.  Does my dog hate me for ending her life?  Thanks for reading.

[Misfits4Me]

Hello Lori...I'm sorry your here for this reason...My heart goes out to you & your guy...Here is this forums largest thread on Kidney Disease.....You may find it helpful, but very sad.....My prayers are with you.....Karla

Here's the link:
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Dogs/4th-stage-renal-failure-in-my-dog/show/425814?page=1

[BluCrystal]

Of course we are interested!  Your poor dog's health is awful, and of course this is upsetting for you.  Much as I hate to say this,  Kidney failure is almost always fatal, because his kidneys are not flushing the toxins out of his urine, these toxins are getting into his blood stream.  You are right, all you can do is keep him comfotable, hope that he leaves peacefully on his own, or take him back for one last vet visit if he is just suffering.  You remain in my prayers, and keep us posted!  Blessings- Blu