Final stage kidney failure and aggression at the final good bye attempt

[SweetZeus]

Sorry this is so long - We have a 14 year old Husky who was diagnosed with kidney failure a month ago.  We did blood tests 4 times since and his number got worst every time is spite of IV and meds. He stopped eating dog food completely about 3 weeks ago and would only take small bites of chicken.  By week 3 he stopped eating anything and I started to force feel him blended food.  He let me feed him with a syringe but was not happy with taking the meds (Pepcid, appetite buster, sucralfate) . Last Thursday 7/25/2013) he refused completed to take anything -meds or food. He was never an aggressive dog - on the contrary -he was very gentle and sweet always.  Since last Friday, every time I tried to feed him he would growl at me and almost bit me a few times.  I couldn't stand to see him starve to death so we called the vet and set up the day for our final good bye.  I slept next to him and talked to him a lot.  His breath is really bad from the toxins.  He still drinks water and pees a lot. His back legs give up easily and he seems confused at time.  After crying my eyes out all day yesterday, I told Zeus that if he doesn't want to go, he should find a way to let us know.  I was gone for an hour and when I came home, my hubby was in front of the house with Zeus and Hermes (our 13yo black lab) ready to go on a walk.  I asked : what are you guys doing?  My hubby cried and said "we are going on a last walk because Zeus followed me to the gate".  So, we all went on a very slow, tearful walk.   The vet showed up at the house and explained to us what was going to happen.  I talked to my husband and decided that if Zeus was going to growl at the doctor  and not let her put the IV in, then we won't force anything.  We've been giving him IV fluids under the skin for 2 weeks now and he never objected at all.  The vet try to clean his leg where the IV was going to go in and Zeus growl and almost bit her.  So, we stopped it and said that we won't do it.  She told us that he is aggressive because of the toxins in his body and the more his disease will progress he might become more aggressive even though he doesn't want to be.   My issue is this - I don't want my sweet Zeus be muzzled and forced to an IV so he can go to sleep and never wake up.  The vet said they would have to put a muzzle on him because they wouldn't want to get bit.   What do we do?  Do we wait and let him go on his own, or do we "force " him? It seems so unfair for a dog who all his life was nothing but awesome. If anyone had any experience with euthanasia aggression, please let me know.  This is killing us!

[Margot49]

We understand as we are "dog" people and, unfortunately, many have been down this road and more times then we would care to think about.
Truth is, when we get our pets, we have to assume that we will most likely outlive most of them.  I like to look at them as a blessing and glad I had some company to walk this journey.  Sometimes, these difficult decisions are the last act of love and kindness we can do for them.  

[SweetZeus]

Thanks Margot49.  I really appreciate your kind words.
Luci

[Margot49]

Such a sad time for you and I am so sorry.  I agree with Karla and would not want him to suffer any longer.  I would ask fir the sedative and let him have a peaceful passing at home with those that love him.
Hugs

[SweetZeus]

Thank you so much Karla.  We are beyond words hurting over Zeus. I got him when he was 8 weeks old and never been apart from him for more than a week or two once a year. He is very much in tune with my feelings and last night he climbed the stairs to our bedroom just to be there with me while I was in the shower.  He hasn't been upstairs in 2 weeks because his back legs can't hold up anymore. I wonder if he knows??

The Vet mentioned something about a muscle relaxer medication before hand. I will asked them for an oral though he might object to that too.  We are scheduled again for tomorrow, because I can't stand watching him fade away in pain.  
Thanks again for your kind words.

[Misfits4Me]

First, let me say I'm so sorry your having to deal w/this......My heart goes out to you and your buddy...

Under these circumstances, I would ask your Vet for an oral sedative (Given 1 hour before the Vet's arrival).....At the correct dose, it basically puts them to sleep (Yes, they are still breathing) and there is NO fight trying to start the IV.....Ask your Vet if this isn't an option.....

Personally, I would not wait & let him go on his own....With Kidney Failure, it basically being poisoned to death....However, this is a decision that you must make on your own..It's a very personal decision & you are the only one that knows what's best for your dog...

Please know that I am thinking about you & your family.......Karla