Kidney Failure - When It's Time to Let Go?

[Lilyshuman]

My beloved doggie was diagnosed with kidney failure on Thursday, January 24th.

Looking back at what I do know, I know that Lily was fine back in May/June, and even in August, since she had seen the vet and she'd had blood work done. It wasn't until last week that I suspected there was something wrong with her because she hadn't touched her bowl of kibble. She'd had one or two peeing/vomiting incidents, which was unusual, and she seemed so lethargic. Of course I took her to the vet, and you know the rest.

The vet gave me three meds: sub-q fluids, phosphate binder, and one more I'm forgetting. I went to the store and bought Tums. These are what I'm giving Lily. The vet warned me that she had weeks, maybe 1 to 2 months to live. She eats the wet dog food that I bought because she no longer will touch the kibble or the chicken or apples she loved so much. Not healthy, I know, but the vet said to feed her anything that she wants.

Her breath stinks. She spends most of her day lying on the towel, sleeping/napping. She still can go outside on her own, and she wags her tail. She's still aware. She throws up most of the food she eats. She is still drinking water. She poops in her sleeping area - something she never has done before. But she still loves me and tries to comfort me.

The vet said it wasn't time to put her to sleep. But, me, I don't want her to suffer. Is it wrong to think that she should be put to sleep now? :( She has been my beloved baby for so long, and now that she's nearing her 11th birthday, I don't know if it's kind to make her hang on like this. I want to tell the vet to do it already. I have said my goodbyes, as much as I can.

Please help.

[LoveMyBostons]

I also had a dog with kidney failure so I know how hard it is. For me, life got so hard near the end. Daily washing of his bedding, trying so hard to find food that he would eat to get his pills down, doing subQ fluids every other day.

I should have made the decision to let him go earlier than I did. It's hard when the freshest memories in your mind of your pet are not good ones, not ones of them healthy.

It's not your vet's decision, it's yours. You know when the time is right to let your dog go with dignity. I'm so sorry for what you're going through.

[esther_elle]

From what I know about kidney failure, it isn't particularly painful in the sense of sharp or stabbing pains - it's more like feeling under-the-weather.  That's when people would normally get dialysis.  I don't know how different this may be for dogs or how advanced your Lily's illness is, but I think it's worth noting that kidney failure isn't generally considered painful like one would imagine.  
That said, you know your doggie more than anyone else and it's obvious how much you love her.  Best wishes to both you and Lily ~