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question about kidney disease
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
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
Oh, no. I am giving her all the love, if not more, than before. The new dog is not needy at all (and his time will come).
Glad to hear she is doing a bit better. It's a roller coaster ride that's for sure. One good day, 2 bad days, one good day, 2 bad days is how it seemed for Daisy at the end. I hope you continue to love on her as much as you can, and spend time with just her more than she's spending with the new dog. Don't let her think that you're trying to replace her just yet :)
Hi again. It's good to know things are going fairly okay, though I think you are becoming prepared for the near future - I hope so at least, because sadly, it is inevitable. On the plus side, you are getting some wonderful days with Phoenix and the addition to your family is no doubt giving both you and Phoenix some extra enjoyment. It's lovely that they sleep together (maybe you'll supply a pic of this for us all to see and go "awe" to). The extra food she is taking should give her some extra energy ... all great news ... and the increased iv fluids will hopefully flush out some extra toxins. Fingers crossed these good days continue for as long as possible. Tony x
Looks like none of the comments I made via my phone made it here.
Phoenix's BUN went from 138.5 in Jan to 140+ (I did the quick test, so it doesn't measure over 150). The creatinine went from 7.9 to 8.2, which the vet said was not a huge change. They increased her fluids to 300. The vet thought she had a month or 2 based on how happy and bouncy she was at the vets. (the fluids from the previous visit had obviously kicked in). She went for a quarter mile walk and was happy. Based on the vet's assessment, I picked up a rescue I had been looking at for a while. She loves him and is eating more because she doesn't want him to have it (which I had hoped would happen!) He is 5 and very laid back and she sleeps with him during the day now on occasion. The chicken she didn't want for the past 3 days she gobbled down when I offered it to him. Same with milk bones. She has not wanted one in over 6 months. She ate FIVE of the little ones since he was getting some. So, I think that in between the fluids she is tired and doesn;t have much of an appetite, but perks back up with the fluids. I am also supposed to give her up to 3x the amt of Maalox I had been giving her. She seems improved over when I posted last. Thanks everyone for asking about my girl.
Phoenix's BUN went from 138.5 in Jan to 140+ (I did the quick test, so it doesn't measure over 150). The creatinine went from 7.9 to 8.2, which the vet said was not a huge change. They increased her fluids to 300. The vet thought she had a month or 2 based on how happy and bouncy she was at the vets. (the fluids from the previous visit had obviously kicked in). She went for a quarter mile walk and was happy. Based on the vet's assessment, I picked up a rescue I had been looking at for a while. She loves him and is eating more because she doesn't want him to have it (which I had hoped would happen!) He is 5 and very laid back and she sleeps with him during the day now on occasion. The chicken she didn't want for the past 3 days she gobbled down when I offered it to him. Same with milk bones. She has not wanted one in over 6 months. She ate FIVE of the little ones since he was getting some. So, I think that in between the fluids she is tired and doesn;t have much of an appetite, but perks back up with the fluids. I am also supposed to give her up to 3x the amt of Maalox I had been giving her. She seems improved over when I posted last. Thanks everyone for asking about my girl.
Hi. You have done extraordinarily well to get her to this stage, but from what you have told us, I imagine the time is very close now when you will need to make a decision. No one can tell you when that time has arrived - except your own dog. She will give you a look when she is ready to go. When you get that look, you will understand.
I'm hoping the vet has given some reassuring news, following the bloodwork, though I rather feel that may be unlikely. Either way, please let us know in due course. As for feeding ... at this stage, give her whatever she wants and is prepared to eat. If you can get hold of it, green tripe (tinned or frozen, the latter you need to cook), mixed with a tiny amount of boiled white rice, often does the trick. It's highly nutritional and despite the stink of green tripe, just about all dogs absolutely love it.
You are in my thoughts. Tony
I'm hoping the vet has given some reassuring news, following the bloodwork, though I rather feel that may be unlikely. Either way, please let us know in due course. As for feeding ... at this stage, give her whatever she wants and is prepared to eat. If you can get hold of it, green tripe (tinned or frozen, the latter you need to cook), mixed with a tiny amount of boiled white rice, often does the trick. It's highly nutritional and despite the stink of green tripe, just about all dogs absolutely love it.
You are in my thoughts. Tony
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