My Coton de Tulear started being a bit lethargic and stopped some of his daily habits such as playing with his toys. I also noticed a horrible odor in his breath that was getting worse. After 2 or 3 weeks I took him to the Vet. He had lost 18% of his body weight since his last visit less than 2 months earlier. The Vet ran a full blood workup and his numbers were almost off the charts. He was in full Kidney failure and given 7-10 days to live. This seemed to come on sooooo fast and was very aggressive. IV fluids helped make him more comfortable by flushing out some of the toxins, but did nothing to prolong my short time with him. It was all very fast and little to any notice.
I think my dog lived with it for 2 years. I think she had it for 2 years because her appetite changed at that time and never recovered. This coincided with Rimadyl use. Avoid NSAIDS. Her labs did not show evidence of CKD until a year before she died. The vet initially misdiagnosed her so after her official CKD diagnosis, she only lived 11 weeks.
Just to throw some hope into the mix, my Yorkie Sally was originally diagnosed with kidney failure at the age of four, and at the time, my vet suggested that she might not live to see five. We immediately put her on NF (similar to KD) and her numbers went down and stayed down. She is now almost 14! Today she had her first bad labs in almost nine years, BUN 85, Creatinine 2.8. She has lost some weight recently, going down from a steady 5 pounds to about 4.3. Other than that you would never know there is anything wrong with her. She is literally the light of our lives and we are putting her on a phosphorous binder and will try subcutaneous fluids. The vet said she has lasted longer than any other dog he has ever treated, but that does not mean we are giving up now. We will monitor her carefully and let her decide. I believe that when it is time, she will let us know.
our 10plus yr old pup was diagnosed with crf last month. Very lethargic. Creatinine was 2.0. One month on Hills KD has dropped it to 1.3 and brought back her energy and lessened her thirst (this is not a Hill's commercial, just stating fact). I'm cautiously optimistic that we have prolonged her life though everything I've read suggests she will decline with time. We've haltered her suffering temporarily, hope she can enjoy several more months / year.
My Shih tzu, Skye was 12 years old when he was first diagnosed with renal kidney disease.
It all happened when he was vomiting bits and pieces of dog food with blood in it. The puke looked like watery breakfast cereal with dark colored blood. Brought him to the vet and ran the usual blood tests. Came out that his kidneys are failing. He was puking blood and wrenching many many times a day, his red blood cells level dropped to dangerous levels. Vet and I thought he wasn't gonna make it. But after the 3rd day of hospitalization and daily IVF, the vomiting miraculously stopped and he was keeping his food down. Brought him back home and changed his food to a renal diet as prescribed by the vet. He was doing fine after that, eating, playing just like a 12 year old dog would. Been feeding him brown rice(for protein) mixed with royal canins KD diet wet dog food. In retrospect, all these might have been caused by a particular brand of dry kribbles that I've started feeding him prior to this. He was pooping small little tarry black stools that was a sign of intestinal bleeding. If I've known that dry dog food is that harmful to dogs I would have started cooking him boiled human food with veggies daily instead.
Fast forward a year later, Skye went blind in both eyes. Not only was he blind, one morning, I found him peeing excessively all over the place and his pee was really diluted, watery transulent non yellowee kind of pee. He was also guzzling loads and loads of water and peeing more than usual. He was also constantly in a daze and walked in a drunk manner. With frequent falls and difficulty in getting back. Perhaps this was caused by the build up of toxins due to his kidneys failing. Brought him to the vet and my suspicion that his kidney problem was acting up was right. Blood tests showed that his kidneys values were bad and his kidneys have progressed to stage 2 or 3 of kidney failure. Everything went downhill from here. Started back on the IVF subQ drips daily but it seems like it's only delaying the inevitable. It's been 2 months on the daily subQ treatment but Skye wasn't improving. He started developing a Urinary tract infection and constantly yelping in pain and was hunching in a weird position.
The worst happened when he didn't eat nor drink for a week and was seen hovering his head above the drinking bowl as though he was thirsty but he didn't drank. He was also dis interested in any kind of food even his favorite ones. Skye was also having trouble peeing, with a slow trickling drip every time he pees. He could stand stationary at a spot for 5 minutes just to pee. Besides looking disoriented, he started having problems with his left hind leg and couldn't stand up to pee and was mostly immobile unless I assisted him up. This could have been due to a slipped disc or muscle wastage as his weight had dropped to a mere 3.8kg from 4.9kg. Every time he tried getting up he had much difficulties and was yelping as a signal for my assistance. I even found him in his pool of pee one morning as a result of his incontinence. Skye was severely unhappy and his yelping was getting softer because of his low energy levels. He was clearly distressed over his state of health and wasn't enjoying life any more. That was a blank look in his eyes.
Took him back to the vet to seek a glimmer of hope but was advised to put him down. After a couple of days, we did what was best for him by putting him to sleep. Freeing his doggy soul from his weak doggy body that was clearly breaking down. I will definitely miss the 13 years of companionship that he has given to me and also to my family.
Our 11 year old beagle, Libby, was diagnosed last week Wednesday. However, I believe she was in significant failure by the time of diagnosis- her BUN and creatinine were very elevated (I don't remember numbers exactly) and her phosphorous was off the charts at the vet. She hadn't been eating much for several days before the vet appointment, and was lethargic, which is why we took her in. She had IV fluids and perked up for about 24hrs or so, but still wasn't eating, became more droopy, had diarrhea and bilious vomiting. Subcutaenous fluids at home didn't help perk her up at all, and she still wouldn't eat, so couldn't get any meds in her either. We made the heartbreaking decision yesterday that she had reached the end of her time with us, and so today we will be saying goodbye to our sweet Libby. I know in my heart it's the right thing to do, as she is obviously uncomfortable and disinterested in food, water, and even us, but it doesn't make it easier. From diagnosis to having to put her down is less than a week, unfortunately. In hindsight, there probably were some signs earlier, but were chalked up to her age initially.
My dog Sadie has kidney failure. She was diagnosed in April. I saw the vet 2 days ago and he said kidney failure is an awful disease and irreversible. He told me to take Sadie home and if she did not eat and was throwing up that I should bring her back in 2-3 days to put her to sleep. I am saddened by this since she has been my shadow, a Yorkie trait, for 10 years. As I have watched her these last days I know her quality of life is zero. She has a small cough all of the time now and I cannot watch her suffer. I will take her in tomorrow and put her to sleep and she will be at peace. I would like to note that my vet was honest with me and said that there was nothing to be done to increase the length of her life and it is an insidious disease. The pet suffers no matter what you do. He was honest with me and I appreciate that. I guess I am lucky because he gave me a time frame not that it makes it any easier to let her go. P.S.
Watching her these last 3 days I realize that it would be selfish to keep her living. She is suffering and could have back pain, and her lungs probably are filling with fluid due to cough. You need to ask yourself if this is what you want for your sweet, loving, devoted pet. I will miss my shadow but I know in my heart that it is the responsible thing to do as a pet owner.
Oh boy, none of this is very encouraging. Our 2 yr old standard poodle became suddenly sick. Rushed him to the emergency room. He spent 3 days there on iv fluids & his CR levels hit 6.8 . I took him home when they dropped to 4.4, BUN 88. They've dropped to 2.2, he's now eating & has energy back, which is very encouraging. We're down to a 1.2 litre bag of fluid a day...until his next test. We're over $6000 into this to date & they still can't tell us what the heck caused this. They're thinking it's Leptospirosis, but can't confirm that until they find antibodies present in his blood, hopefully by next week. I'm beyond heart-broken & thought for sure he was going to die. I'm cooking for for him now & have everyone I know praying.
To the best of my knowledge, it's only prescribed by veterinarian's.
To the best of my knowledge, it's only prescribed by veterinarian's.
Hi. Firstly, I am sorry for your loss. I do however have to correct your statement "This is wrong to give a dog protein. Protein makes kidney disease worse." ... which is not correct. In fact, proteins are absolutely essential for most dogs with kidney disease, as it provides vital energy. The important thing about protein is the TYPE of protein - in kidney disease, it must be high quality (so human grade meats and poultry). Protein restriction down to about 8% of a meal is generally advised when the disease reaches stage 3 and 4, but in stages 1 and 2 adequate protein of about 15%-18% of the daily diet is recommended.
Tony
I am sorry that your dog is sick. I hope your dog will respons well for all the medications. On Valentine's Day I lost my baby Lili, she was a Yorkie 12 years old, and she suffered for chronic kidney disease diognosed 10 months ago, I had to put her to sleep. It's terrible disese. I still feel guilty of that decion, but I couldn't stand the look how she suffered last days.
My fourteen and a half year old Pekingese was diagnosed with kidney disease and pancreatitis. The Vet had said I could put her in the hospital with IV fluids and make her comfortable. My little girl was throwing up bile every morning as soon as she would drink her water. Her tail was down. I tried chicken and rice and all of her favorite foods. I loved her with all my heart. Letting her go was the kindest thing I could do for her. I have read many blogs and many posts. I have read posts that pet owners are willing to spend every penny in their bank account to keep their pets alive. Many Vets count on that fact. Loving a pet is knowing when to let them go and do what is best for them. It really isn't fair to a pet to keep them going just because in this day and age we can even though deep down we know they are not comfortable and there is no cure. I miss my baby so very much but I loved her enough to not make her suffer. I wasn't going to stick her with needles and force feed her. She deserved to leave this world with compassion.
Hi.
I have replied on the other thread you posted to.
Tony
He is vomiting too much, today mostly yellow thick stuff. Assuming it is bile? I don't know what to do. We are really worried now. What can we do?
Hi Tony. The vet has started administrating Intralipids to my boy since yesterday. He is still vomiting, and although our vet is giving him anti-vomiting injection, it doesnt seem to help much. He vomits a little bit about 4-5 times a day, and its white foamy stuff (Sometimes yellow). Last night, he urinated a little on his bed. That said, he urinates about 4-5 times a day and quite a bit.
He drank water by himself today, but he's getting very weak. His hind legs are weaker and he gets tired easily, even after walking some steps. His vital stats are normal, as per our vet. His blood test is tomorrow, and we are hoping that the reports are good.
What do you think? Really hoping the disease stabilizes.
Thanks for the prompt response, Tony.
Tomorrow will be his Day 2 of IVF. My boy isn't technically hospitalized, and we take him to the vet in the morning and evening for IVF. Our vet is providing the nourishment through the IV feed, he told us of that. The blood isn't present in his vomit or stools, though he is vomiting bile. It isn't much, but he vomits a little at least twice every day. We put up in India, so he has asked us to arrange Lipid Infusion, if possible from the United States.
I've joined the group, thank you so much!
Hi. First of all, please join the CHRONIC KIDNEY FAILURE IN DOGS User Group here on MedHelp. It's where you'll get lots of info and support from owners in a similar position as you. It's also where you will find me most days.
IV Fluids are the first line of treatment for kidney disease. But it's not enough on its own. Ask your vet to teach you how to perform SubQ fluid therapy at home. This helps continue the benefits of fluid therapy, but it's also better for your dog because they are under less stress from being at home instead of at the vets.
The blood is likely to be from ulcers along the gastric tract. There are several ways of treating these, including a dessertspoon of chopped cooked green leaf cabbage every day (for a dog that is eating okay). If a dog isn't eating, then your vet should consider the best medicinal options while also considering the kidney disease.
If the vet has said no food then how is the dog getting nourishment? I assume through the IV feed? Please check. Without nourishment, your dog will go downhill rapidly. Nourishment is needed for energy and to fight the kidney disease and any potential infection.
Yes, your dog can improve (although kidney disease is ultimately fatal) and may live for a longer period and even for a year or two with a reasonable quality of life, as long as the kidney disease can be stabilized. Time will tell.
Once the IV fluid therapy is finished, it is vital the vet performs a blood pressure check and assesses the urine for specific gravity, any UTIs, and protein leakage. If there are any UTIs, a culture and sensitivity test will be needed BEFORE any antibiotic is given.
Keep me informed how things go.
Tony
I have only just seen your message. I don't always get the time to look at the general forums, I'm very sorry. Yes, kidney disease is all too fast sometimes, partly because dogs tend not to show symptoms until it's too late. If you still need support, please join the CHRONIC KIDNEY FAILURE IN DOGS User group here on MedHelp. That's where you will find me most days.
Tony
My dog's a 10 year 3 month old American Eskimo who has been diagnosed with Chronic Renal Failure. He is not doing well at all, it started with his feeling lethargic, and then he started vomiting blood and had bloody stools. The vet gave him IVF, and the blood stopped. We got some blood work done, and his creatinine was 1.4 and BUN was 14. He then started vomiting bile, and when we got blood work done a week later, his Creatinine shot up to 4.5 and BUN to 68. The vet is giving him IVF again, and has asked us to hope for the best. He is still vomiting a little, and our vet has asked us to keep him off food completely. What would you recommend? Is there any coming back from this? I can't bear to see his pain.
Thanks so much.
If owners have dogs with kidney disease, please consider joining our special group here on MedHelp ... the CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE IN DOGS User Group. Lots of info, help and support from experienced dog owners.
Tony
how do you give activated charcoal?
Hello, I would like to know how your dog is doing now? We expect my dog to begin having it. Any tips? Advice? things we can do? He is a 15 year old toy poodle.
Hi. I firmly believe our dogs tell us when the time us right. It's a secret message they give to the ones they love. And it's all in their eyes and the glances they give you. I know today will be a very sad and traumatic day. Take comfort in the fact you did your very best for your boy and gave him some extended lifespan by helping him.
Tony