My dog has EPI and Kidney Failure

[Gale1593]

I adopted my German Shepherd about 2 years ago.  He was 1 year old.  When I got him, he was low in weight, and had not received good care where he was before.  He was diagnosed with dehydration, malnutrition, and Pancreatic Enzyme deficienty at that time.  We overcame the dehydration, malnutrition, but we still fight to control the EPI.  Only Prednisone and Pacrea supplements have helped, without the Prednisone, he has constant diarrhea, gastritis, and no appetite.  Just this week, the EPI started with a vengeance.  The vet did some tests, and he now is in kidney failure.  The problem is... if we treat the EPI, it adversely affects the kidney disease, if we treat the kidney disease, (take away the prednisone) the EPI is symptomatic again.  The vet said he has lost about 70% kidney function at this point.  His appetite is almost non existent, he has lost about 13 poiund in the past 3 months, he is losing his coat on his stomach, and his hair is coming out in large blotches under his neck.  I have always had dogs, but there is a bond with my baby like I have never had.  I have been told I need to make a decision in the next few days, do we euthanize or do I continue to battle one disease and let the other slowly take him ?  do I wait until he is in such misery with the kidney failure or do I spare him from that and euthanize now ??  I am a nurse and I have seen many patients linger and suffer.. wishing they could have went longer but us people do not have the ability to euthanize like our dogs do.  But at the same time,,, how do I know when to let him go ?  I dont want him to suffer any longer than he has to... his entire life has been a battle, and he has been a trooper, but I think the fight is leaving him... he looks at me with those sad eyes, he hides in my room most of the time... but how does one make such a decision ???
Any thoughts and help would be so much appreciated.  

[Gale1593]

Thank you Jaybay for your kind words.  Riggs seems to be a little better, he is eating a little, has a bit of sparkle back in his eyes.  he's not ready to go yet !  I'm going to the vet tomorrow and learn how to give him IV hydration at home.  Its subq under the skin so it shouldn't be too bad.  I know I'm biding time but as long as I can do something to give him some quality to his life and he is still wanting to try, I'm going to keep trying.  

[Jaybay]

I can't tell you how sorry I am to hear your story.  I lost my dog Chica in January to kidney failure and now how awful the symptoms can be.  Chica made it more difficult on us because of her own personality.  She just would NOT give up the fight no matter how awful she felt.

You know your dog better than anyone else.  Only you can determine when there is no quality of life left.  Honestly, it sounds like he's there now.  Once Chica's coat began falling out in earnest (a sign of slow starvation and malnutrition) we knew it was time.  

We asked our vet for sedation pills so Chica would not have to endure that last car ride.  In truth, we said our goodbyes on our couch at home.  She had no idea that anything even happened for the next 90 minutes of her life.  Oh Lord, I'm choking up just writing about it all.

Think of three thinks that really define your dog's enjoyment of life.  If those three things are gone, then it's time to let him go.  :-(