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2095142 tn?1333233200

kidney failure going down fast

how long can a yellow lab live without water and food with this condition? My dear Tracy have been not eating or drinking for two weeks! after week and half sick and due to not having money we took her to the vet and was then diagnosed with kidney failure; vet says kidneys are shot down. I am still waiting on some more money do what is right but wonder what is that? i am desperated watching her like this. Cant stop crying out of plain guilt since I have not being as best as i should have and now in front of her inminent lose, i cant even bear thinking of it !
Any help please; knowing what it have to be done is not good enough; she is still alive right now and in her looks she is scare to go; i think she knows what is going on; it is tearing me appart.
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Avatar universal
I have a 13 year old Yorkie that share the same birthday with my only daughter. After getting into our garbage last week, he has been on a roller coaster of throwing up and having diarreah. He went in for his annual checkup, seemingly fine and got a birds tells shot and I was told he was healthy but had an irregular heartbeat. I gave him a heart pill and the next morning I walked into an all night mess of throw up, pee and Diarreah... He looked unwell so I took him back to the vet and they gave him fluids because he was dehydrated. I was going away the next day and a vet tech offered to watch him for the weekend. We thought he had a stomach bug. He seemed to get better but when I came home he had thrown up even though I was giving him anti nausea medicine. Took him back to vet, they gave him more fluids, a shot of anti nausea medicine and wanted to do an ultrasound, scheduled for this morning. He started to refuse food, when I took him in I wanted his blood checked before the ultrasound and his Bun, Creatine, and phosphorus were way out of normal range and the started talking to me about his end and his options.... He has kidney failure and I am devestated!!! He is lethargic and not eating and I am beside myself. This just doesn't make any sense. A week and a half ago he was agile, full of energy, didn't look or seem his age. His body now is lifeless.... I just can not believe it. I thought he would at least get to the 16 year mark.... I am waiting for him to come back to his normal self.  What if I put him down and this is really a passing thing... I am not ready to say goodbye.....
Helpful - 1
1916673 tn?1420233270
Hello. My heart goes out to you. This is a dreadfully painful and emotional ordeal you must endure. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for good news, but you are right to be cautious and perhaps be prepared if the news isn't good. At 7 yrs old, Roz is very young to be suffering from chronic renal failure. But you are right to feel just a little uplifted by how much life and love you have given him. He was so lucky to have found you - and you to have found him. Big hugs, Tony
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462827 tn?1333168952
Thought about you & Tracy all night..... I'm thinking about you today & hoping that new strength will prevail......Sincerely, Karla
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1916673 tn?1420233270
Hi. A couple of things ... presumably the heart pill you talk about was something the vet prescribed? What is it called and what frequency are you meant to be giving it?

My best guess is that this is acute kidney failure, entirely due to something eaten in the garbage. It would of course be something toxic to dogs - so any chemicals, human medicines, home or garden pesticides, unsuitable food scraps, etc., could all be at fault.

Fluids are the key here - so make sure he gets at least 3 days of IV fluids at the vets , then check blood numbers again and repeat the process if need be - then follow up with Sub Q fluids for a couple of months. If there is still a heart murmer, this process might have to be undertaken with extreme caution and veterinary supervision.

Tony
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Avatar universal
Hello Tony, sorry for the late response. I wanted to let you know that I got your response and appreciate you taking the time to write, and tell me about your experience as well. I am also very sorry for your loss! Your explanation makes me understand why everything went so fast. It is definitely a dreadful disease, we just feel so helpless! Thanks and take care!
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1 Comments
You are very welcome. You may (or may not) already know that 1 in 3 dogs over 12yrs of age develop kidney disease. Catching it early is the key to prolonging life. To catch it early, it's worth having an annual urine test and blood level check undertaken by the vet. This will not only help identify kidney issues beginning, but it will also catch many other serious illnesses and offer the opportunity to treat and manage them before they deteriorate beyond treatment.

Tony
1916673 tn?1420233270
Hello. I am very sorry for your loss. In fact, 27 days is quite good in comparison to some people's experiences. From my own story I can tell you my beloved BB (a wonderful lurcher of 12 yrs old), went from seemingly healthy except for poor eating, to a dog that needed to be euthanised within 3 days of her diagnosis. She literally ran almost the entire 2 miles to the vets on the Monday, very happy and lively ... and by Thursday she couldn't even stand up and hadn't eaten for 2 days prior to that. It was like she had jumped over a cliff edge.

The rapid decline is a dreadful thing to see. Dogs often start with kidney failure many months and sometimes a year or more earlier than the diagnosis. It's very slow to begin with, but a steady decline. The kidney tissues are destroyed bit by bit as the illness progresses. Dogs rarely show any symptoms at all until the organs are very severely affected. It's because the kidneys can function reasonably well for a long time, one compensating for the other. But once only 25% of the organ tissues remains, that's when symptoms begin. Some dogs continue to hide these symptoms, seemingly remaining happy and contented for a long time.

However, when the organs are so badly destroyed that it begins affecting blood values, electrolyte balance, muscle tissues and other organs, then that's when many dogs reach a point of no return. Good management can help prolong life, but this may only be for a matter of a few weeks. In rare cases, and when the illness is caught very early, a dog can survive with treatment and good management for a year or more.

Once the kidneys reach the 20% tissue remaining stage (probably where your dog was at), then the entire body starts to shut down - and that can happen very fast. Other organs start to fail, and dogs feel fatigued. Euthansia is the kindest thing at this stage.

I hope that explains things a little and helps you to feel a little better about what you had to do. It's a dreadful illness.

Kind regards

TonyB
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Vet told me Zoeys BUN was off the chart, it was 135 and her kidney function was at 25%.  I later read some posts of pets BUN being 300.  Zoey had sub q fluids on a Wed but Thursday she didn't even want her favorite food.  She got up to the bathroom and tried to drink water.  I put her in atom where I could lay down with her away from my other dogs.  She woke up a few times and I would soothe her and she would fall back to sleep.  In the morning I called the vet to have him come over to euthanize her. I stayed with her during the day before he came.  The very same  day after she was  euthanized the guilt started.  I then realized I did not have her water bowl in the room and didn't give her water for hours before she went.  I figured she became more dehydrated and was probably dying with thirst. She wasn't panting. Was sleeping most of the time before she was euthanized.  Vet said treating congestive heart failure and kidney failure was a lose lose situation.  She was on a lot of Meds that I suspect damaged her kidneys. Furosemide being the worst.  Your posts have helped me tremendously.  Thank you
Avatar universal
Hi Tony, I lost my angel to kidney failure 1 month ago yesterday. It was just all so fast! From the date of the first symptoms (lack of appetite and vomiting) to the date I had her put to sleep, it was exactly 27 days. She went down hill fast, besides all I did (3 days of IV therapy at the vet, special food, etc). On diagnosis her creatinine was 6 and BUN over 200 mg/dL. It went down some after fluid therapy but she still wasn't well. This would probably explain the fast decline... this would be considered stage 4 right? I wonder how she was fine and acting her self, and so sudden everything went downhill. Is it possible she already was in kidney failure a good while before I noticed symptoms? I know it's too late for this now, but it would bring me some peace as to why we literally had no fighting chance to stall this disease. Thanks! I read through these posts sobbing, because I know too well what it is like. She was the love of my life, and I look forward to the day we are reunited in Heaven. I just know God will give her back to me!
Helpful - 0
1916673 tn?1420233270
Hi. I am very sorry for what you are going through, particularly away from home. Has the vet done a full blood test? If yes, can you get the BUN, creatinine and phosphorus results from your wife to post here. This will help decide the stage of kidney failure and whether it is worth trying a few things first. Diet is hugely important - any low protein kidney specific diet is good, but there are other considerations too. Fluids (by IV if necessary) are essential to flush out the toxin build-up. Low phosphorus diets are also essential. Please have a read of this:

http://www.infobarrel.com/How_Diet_Affects_Dogs_with_Chronic_Kidney_Disease

Also, please join our special User Group - CHRONIC KIDNEY FAILURE IN DOGS - as the family of friends, all owners that have gone through or are going through what you are going through right now, are sure to offer support and advice.

Keep me updated. Take care.

Tony
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Avatar universal
Our dog Sampson has Renal failure.He is an 11 yr old red nosed mural pitbull,My wife tried this kidney support gold, and for 3 days,it looked like he was coming back to his normal self.He was eating good and going to the bathroom.However last night, she told me was a very bad night for Sam,He couldn't get up the stairs, and just fell over suddenly in the kitchen,She thinks he had a seizure,He also just lied there and urinated all over the floor.As I write this it is very hard for me to fathom this as I work up north,and won't be back until the 29th of the month.I don't want to see him suffer,so my wife back in Calgary is monitoring the situation with his present condition.She told me he is shaking,lying on the couch.It doesn't look good,When I last saw him,he was doing well,so its hard for me to accept,that he probably will not be there anymore when I get home.I am so sad as I write this,I called her to tell her,that she needs to do what she feels is right for our beloved dog.She is preparing to call the vet to make the arrangements for his journey to heaven.So I understand here,what everyone is going though.Do whats right for your pet,let him be free and with no pain,I understand
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm sorry for your loss.  I'm facing a similar situation.  It takes a ton of strength to watch your baby pass on to the next part of the journey.  Your baby understood your pain.  Don't beat yourself up. I know you will see her again. Death is only a shedding of our worn out vessel, she now has a new body and mind.  I am opting for natural at home.  If it gets to bad,  I may not be much help to her.  I am sure there is some goodness in your selfless act. Love never dies. Your baby lives on !
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1916673 tn?1420233270
Hi. Just to say, I am so very sorry for your loss. Perhaps reflecting on the fact that Muffin lived to be 17, which is an extraordinary good age, and enjoyed years of adventure, attention and love, should be remembered. You gave her a good life - and if she could, she would thank you.

Run free Muffin.

Tony
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Just lost our 17 year old Yorkshire Terrier, Muffin. Her kidneys were failing and she was deteoreating. I took her the vets this morning and she fell asleep at 11:25am. My partner and I are absolutely heartbroken. I stayed with her and stroked her little head while she was put to sleep. It was all over and at peace within a minute. She had had enough and was ready to go. I kissed her before I left and broke my heart. She was our life. Goodnight God bless Muffin we will never let you leave our hearts xx
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Just lost our 17 year old Yorkshire Terrier, Muffin. Her kidneys were failing and she was deteoreating. I took her the vets this morning and she fell asleep at 11:25am. My partner and I are absolutely heartbroken. I stayed with her and stroked her little head while she was put to sleep. It was all over and at peace within a minute. She had had enough and was ready to go. I kissed her before I left and broke my heart. She was our life. Goodnight God bless Muffin we will never let you leave our hearts xx
Helpful - 0
1916673 tn?1420233270
Whether you are currently caring for a dog that has kidney failure or whether you are an owner that has lost a dog to this dreadful illness, please join the CHRONIC KIDNEY FAILURE IN DOGS User Group. You will get lots of valuable information there about how to improve a dog's quality and longevity of life - and if required, get support from other owners that are going through or have gone through the same thing with their own dogs. I administer this group - and all members there are kindhearted, courageous and well informed about kidney failure.

You can find the group by mousing over the Forum tab and clicking on User Groups, then use the search bar.

Regards

Tony
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Avatar universal
Hi lost my soul mate too. Lab/staff/princess Daisy sadly lost her fight last Saturday night and life will never be the same -she was amazing. Daisy was a rescue dog so I don't know her exact age but she was our special princess here for 11 years. Reading about you and Tracey makes me realise that your bond with her is just like ours. I want you to know that I chose to let Daisy go naturally but her death was so horrific I'm still thinking the same as you, Thinking that I let her down by not getting the vet here the day before as I'd been exactly the same as you wondering every day what to do -whilst daisy was getting so poorly old age took over her lovely body. She was on heart meds and had cancer but wanted to stay here so much. Her tail was still wagging she was still giving/recieving love and still catching spiders last week! She sadly started to have some really bad days with diarreah and seizures. she clung to life as long as she possibly could, even at the very end she fought so hard to stay here she loved being here so much. You and i are feeling the same. We each took a different course of action but the heartbreaking outcome is the same we lost our best friends. Wish we could talk. Catherine x
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello 2sad2dal!

You are very privileged to have been chosen to be Tracy's caretaker for all these years! I bet you have given her a life that most pets would dream of having! I have been where you are now three times over the past 3 years. My first two Labs I had for almost 14 years. I had to put both of them down a year apart from each other. Old age just caught up with them. I unexpectedly put down my wonderful Golden Retriever of 10 years, Zekie. I hardly had time to say good bye to him. Luckily he died peacefully. I was with them all when I had to put them to sleep. I would never have let them go on all by themselves. Now I have my Skeeter girl suffering a total kidney shutdown. Vets are convinced she was poisoned with anti-freeze. I highly doubt that. She just has no access to those kinds of things and I do not know anyone who would ever want to harm them. However, the fact remains that as of this moment, she has no working kidneys. It has been one week for her now. I am praying to my awesome God for her recovery. If she ends up going on to be with my Lord well.......there is nobody else I would trust better than He to take care of her, Zekie, Cami and Emily. The Bile speaks of animals being in heaven. Jesus comes back to earth riding on a white hoarse! I am looking forward to being greeted by my loved ones and especially by my furry tail wagers! As sad as I am right now over Zekie, I am happy that God will heal my Skeeter! God has again given me the strength to go out and find another Rescue dog with special needs to be our newest addition to our family. Just as he had me do with Cami, Emily, Zekie and Skeeter.

So, be proud of the great care you took of your wonderful Tracy! She loves you very much! Dogs Love All The Time! Keep her from pain and let her go when the time is right! I had my pets cremated so I could one day be cremated and mixed in with my past pets and spread someplace peaceful. I put their collars, retired toys and brushes in zip lock bags so I could go back to them later on and smell my dogs scent imbedded in their collars and Thunder shirts. I look at pictures of Zekie all the time now. It really helps with the heartache. I actually needed to get some Aprolazam for anxiety that I felt when I had to put my Cami girl down. It helped a lot!

Most of all, be with your Tracy girl through the end and don't be afraid to do it all over again! There are many wonderful pets who need a wonderful caretaker like yourself. They will never be your Tracy girl but they WILL steal your heart just as Tracy did!

Cami, Emily, Zekie and Skeeter's Caretaker and Best Friend,

Me !
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,
I am so sorry for what you & Murali are experiencing.  My dog, Brownie is probably close to end stage renal failure.  Your post was over one week ago, so a lot has probably changed in your circumstances by now.  Whatever your situation is today, I wish you much peace and want to express how sorry I am for all the pain both you & Murali have had.  Take care of yourself, and keep us posted here.  

Paulette
Helpful - 0
1916673 tn?1420233270
Hello. Welcome to the forum - but so sorry it's under such difficult circumstances. If Murali has kidney failure (it sounds like that's what you are describing) then no medication will help him survive. However, there are medications that will help him feel more comfortable and that will encourage him to eat and drink. Dogs with kidney failure have a body that is full of toxins (because they cannot be cleared out in the normal way through a healthy kidney), and it's the toxins that cause nausia, which in turn stops a dog from eating and drinking properly. The lack of food causes severe fatigue and miserableness. The lack of water intake leads to severe dehydration. Ask your vet about suitable anti-nausia meds, because if your Murali will eat (even a little) and keep drinking a sip of water every now and then, he will have the energy to feel more at ease and be more lucid.

Nothing can prevent the inevitable, so at some stage euthanasia must be seriously considered - your dog will tell you when the right time has come - the message will be there loud and clear in his eyes. This is a heartwrenching situation for you and for Murali. All you can do is comfort him and prepare for that final helping hand. I am so very sorry I can't give you better advice, but do check the forum for other very useful info about kidney disease. There are lots of us that have been where you are right now, and some of us have learned so much from the experience. Cyber hugs to you and Murali. Tony x
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
I had to put two of my sweet babies to sleep within three weeks of each other.  Zoey had congestive heart failure and her BUN levels were at 135.  She had been diagnosed with kidney disease 8 months earlier.  She had two bad episodes during that time but pulled through.  When the third one happened I thought it was time but then felt horrible guilt thinking maybe she wasn't ready, that she would've perked up again.  With Maki it came to the point that it was difficult for her to lay down because of arthritis. Seemed anxious, was up half the night wanting to drink water and pee.  She had only been diagnosed like 6 weeks prior.  She started with bad diarrhea on Sunday and Tues and Wed had a little blood in it.  On Thurs I called the vet to schedule to be euthanized but wanted to do blood work first.  Results showed her BUN had only increased slightly but it showed high levels for her liver.  She got a sedative and 15 minutes later the vet injected her.  She didn't exhale like my others had done after the injection and he said it was normal when they get a sedative first.  Now I wonder if she was under dosed and might have woke up in the freezer.  This terrifies me and can't imagine the fear particularly with her anxiety issues.  Any reassurance?  Zoey was 14 years old and Maki was 17.  
Avatar universal
I'm so sorry you're going through this. We just had to let go of our dog Stu... he was to be 9 years young this month.  He had 2 weeks of diarrhea/vomitting...thought for sure it was his food - switched it out and it never got any better. He was lethargic and didn't look like himself... Took him to the vet 7/27 and were told he had end stage renal failure...based on his numbers, it was unlikely he would get better.,.got him home on anti nausea medications, went to bed, and overnight his condition worsened tremendously.  He was drooling, his eyes were not the same, he was breathing shallow and I could see he was struggling.  Didn't leave his spot and barely licked on an ice cube... we took him to the vet on 7/28 and was told he was also in congestive heart failure, hence the breathing troubles... we made the excruciating decision to let him go... God that was the worst pain I've felt in a very long time... I found solace in surrounding myself with his photos and talking with my children and telling them about Rainbow Bridge...  my point being is that if your pet is sick... he is suffering - make whatever decision that will work for you emotionally and financially.  Your heart will help you decide.  Look past how you feel about it and think about what they are going through.  You're nursing Murali and it's not working... I hated like hell to do what we did, but I could see how bad Stu was doing and that broke my heart more then setting him free.  My heart still breaks, but I can look at his picture and think about him without crying so much anymore... God bless you and Murali...
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Avatar universal
I went to the vet to get my dog Murali's eye checked 20 days back. But that very day he vomited. He started vomiting too much later. After no medication could stop his vomit, vet asked me to get a blood test. His cret was 1.6. However, after 3 days of fluid therapy his cret increased to 2.9 instead of decreasing. Vet says he wont live long. It has been too hard for me to handle the fact since I am too attached to my Murali. I have been spending days and nights with him. I am nursing him 24/7. I dont know what to feed him because mostly he vomits all the food. Please suggest me the right medications and food to make him survive as the vets in my country are not at all trust worthy and there is no proper technology for animal health. Please help!
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Avatar universal
I am so sorry for the pain you are experiencing with Rumour.  It is a blessing that you had the "extra" year with her despite your vet's prediction.  Nothing we can say on here will make your pain any easier, but just know that you are being thought of during this difficult time.  

As Tony mentioned, letting Rumour go is the best gift you can give her when you know it is time.  I've been coming to terms with my own dog Brownie's rapidly advancing kidney disease, myself.  We've been battling it for five weeks, and it has progressed faster than I could have imagined.  Just this morning, I told God that I am ready to accept His will, and to please make me strong enough to do what is right for Brownie.  I pray that you will find the same strength as I have.  Just as Brownie will live on in me and in how I live my life, Rumour will always live within you.  God bless you.  
Helpful - 0
1916673 tn?1420233270
Sorry for changing Rumour's gender half way through my response ... I of course meant to say her not him. Tx
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1916673 tn?1420233270
Hello. I am so very sorry to read your post. Rumour has certainly had a much longer life than expected, and she has experienced things that she may not have otherwise done - including the love, caring and affection given by you. It may not have been an easy year, but Rumour would certainly thank you for it, if she could.

It sounds as if her time is very near, which is dreadfully sad and heartbreaking, I know. However, it is also your responsibility to do what you feel HAS to be done, in her best interests, not (sadly) in your best interests. Helping our best friends through the final stage of life is what we take on board when we invite them into our homes and into our lives. It's probably one of the hardest things we will ever have to do, but it has to be done, nonetheless.

I would strongly suggest you try to get the vet to come to you, if you can afford it. This is helpful because Rumour will feel less anxious and can go to sleep in his own bed and in a place he feels warm and safe. You can also sit on the floor with him, hold him and comfort him. The process is quite fast and usually very peaceful. The vet will first give Rumour an injection that will calm him and make him feel sleepy. The next injection is effectively an overdose of anesthetic, which sends the dog into deep sleep and then, death.

It's a hideous process to watch and experience as an owner, but it is quite peaceful for our best friends ... and in truth, it is the last kindness we can do for them when they are in pain and suffering. I would also suggest you have a friend or family member at your side when you go through this. You will need a shoulder to cry on - and lots of support for the hours afterwards. My heart goes out to you. Please come back and let us know how things develop. Be strong. Huge cyber hugs to you and Rumour.

Tony x
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Avatar universal
My beautiful girl Rumour is in her final stages this week.  She was diagnosed that she was only born with one kidney - the size of a cats and shouldn't have lived past 3 years of age.  That was last June 2012 and they thought she had days then.  She has given me another year (not an easy year as she was sick often and we had to have her wear a diaper when we weren't around - though that gave her her dignity back).  I know that it is the time to let her go but its killing me. I know she's not going to get better but I don't want to be the one to make the decision to take her life.  I know death is inevitable and I'm not doing it because she's an inconvenience.I don't want her to suffer.

Through your posting it is comforting to know that there are other who had to deal with the same situation.  It's just making me so sad.  I've had pets die before but I've never had to euthanize one.  I'm looking for the strength, and its not coming to me.
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