question about kidney disease

[PegsterVa]

Hi, my dog Phoenix is in Stage III renal failure.  I had her tested about 3 months ago, she is going to be tested again on Saturday.  She was diagnosed last October and the vet said 3 months to a year for life expectancy.

Phoenix stopped eating in January, at which time she went on SQ fluids 2x a week, along with Pepcid AC and Maalox to bring down her blood phosphorous.  This turned her around bigtime.  She gained 4 pounds, got her appetite back, etc.

Now, she is very lethargic (although is still VERY happy to go for a ride in the car) and eating less and less. She won't even eat chicken.  I am basically feeding her whatever she will eat (stale bread and donuts this week, cat food last week). She has lost 2.5 pounds in the last 3 weeks.  She is still drinking water, has diarrhea frequently but no vomiting.  She is 13 years, 10 months old and is a Redbone Coonhound mix. She should weigh 62 pounds but only weighs 50.

My question is this: how close to the end does this sound to you? (I know I should just wait for Saturday's bloodwork, but hey.)

Peggy

[PegsterVa]

She is still drinking, eating less on the days where she is due for fluids. Yesterday she ate 2 milkbone flavor snacks, a few bites of spaghetti and a little caesar canned dog food. She was very tired yesterday and was not her perky self.  She gets fluids today and will gradually improve to a peak on Friday/Saturday. I took her little sweater off to wash it yesterday since it was so nice out and she is horrifying to look at. She is so skinny you can see all her ribs.  :(

[amielynn24]

I agree with Tony!  My vet was so excited that Daisy wanted treats, that she ate too many too fast and threw up on the car ride home.  How is she otherwise.. drinking?  eating?  

My heart breaks for you, but sounds like you have support here. I wish I would have found this forum for guidance, advice, related stories before I lost Daisy.  

[PegsterVa]

Good to know..

[tonyb286]

Hi. That's good to know. I would advise not letting Phoenix overindulge, as this could make her become ill quite quickly (because more food all at once just means more toxins are produced and not dealt with, because the fluids won't always flush them out). So, small amounts more often is the way to go. For example, instead of six milkbones all at once, give the same amount an hour or half an hour apart. Tony

[PegsterVa]

I can definitely tell when the fluids wear off.  They increased her fluids by 50% and she was doing really well (also tripled the amt of Maalox) and then the vet tech on Tuesday didn't read the chart and only gave her the old amt, which I didn't catch until Saturday. So, given the additional fluids, her appetite has increased a lot. The new dog makes a difference, too.  I offered Phoenix a  small Milkbone which she refused, so I gave it to Tully. Phoenix ate six of them after that.  ;^) So, she is much better than she was a couple weeks ago. Thanks for asking about my baby.

[tonyb286]

Hello again. How have the last couple of days been? Hope they've been good ones for you and Phoenix. Tony x