emotional support

[ziggystardust]

When do you know when to let go. I have posted a couple of times with no responses. My beloved ginger who I found 9 years ago sitting on the steps of my hospital  and has been my faithful companion and also her other dog buddies has been diagnosed with chronic renal failure in May 09. I have tried everything to slow the progression of her disease from acupuncture to traditional medicine and have tried every food on earth including dog ice cream to colostrum to baby food to raw . you name it. The past week she was only taking small bites of treats and not even this now despite being on appetite stimulants and anti nausea medication. She is skin and bones. She receives sub q intravenous fluids each night. Although she appears to enjoy lying outside she is no longer interacting with her other pals,Her bark is weak and she is lethargic.When do you know when to let them go.It is agonizing and heart breaking. They say the focus is quality of life and yes she still like to be pet and hugged by us and go outside but she is not eating for two days and she is irritable with the other dogs. Her head is also tremulous.I am open to any advise or emotional support. with my otehr dogs it was so clear when to let them go

[Punchy2007]

Hi, I cried so hard as I was readying your post.  I lost my baby girl (Coqueta "aka" Cookie) May 20, 2008.  She had CHF.  WHen she was first diagnose with it, she was given six mons to a year.  She only made it for six mons.  Everyone told me to put her down but in my heart I never believed that I had the right to take her life.  I did everything possible to keep her comfortable.  I went through whole nights with out sleep.  I don't regret every moment that I spend with her, nights without sleep.  They where all worth it.  I know a lot people will tell you it is inhuman to keep her like this but only God knows your pain and hers.  

One day at night I felt like she was getting ready to say good bye so I took her to the vet the next morning.  He told me she was fine.  She didn't look fine.  Well I got home and I prayed for her and I asked God, if she is suffering please give me the strength to let her go and take her pain away.  With in an hour, Cookie passed to be with Lord.  Trust me, it was the one of the hardest moment in my life.  I just know that she is no longer in pain but God made that decisioin to take her, not me. I can't say it'sbeen easy without her but I know she gave me love until the very last and like wise, I gave her my whole heart.

I am so sorry for sharing my story but I hope it helps you in some way.  I pray that God helps you and Ginger in this tough moments.  GOd bless you both.

My Prayers are with you.

Dalila

[ziggystardust]

Thank you for responding to my pevious outreach. My question is that even with the cernia compazine and prednisone my ginger is on to prevent nausea and increase appetite there has not been much improvement noted and she has lost 7 pounds in over one month. at night she has tremors although this is not noted during the day, The other day I noticed that she was slightly imbalance losing her footing a little although she has nt fallen while walking and continues to walk around the yard to visit the family next door and take treats from them even though she is refusing fresh cooked steak and chicken from me along with all the other foods people entice dogs with renal failure on.Today to see the vet she was barking at proplee at the window and still is wagging her tail and following my husband around the house. Last night she wanted his pizza and sometimes when I buy freid flounder whe also eats this. Do you think these tremors are a side effect of the medications or general deterioration  in health. Her phosphorous and bun are now elevated although her vets state he has seen other dogs with three times the values walking around and fairly comfortable. We are going to try remeron on her as i researched it is used for nausea and appetite stimulant but Im wondering if I should just eventually take her off all this stuff and try homeopathic remedies with no side effects. I was reading about one that has burdock root and also dandelion in it. Currently I also give her colostroum and a digestive enzyme for dogs prior and with her meals along with a phosphate binder and sub q fluids daily plus acupuncture. I know that when she starts t loose her quality of life I will need to help end her journey from this world and over the rainbow bridge. Until then I want to do everything I can do to make her comfortable and possibly extend her life. Please give me your opinions on alternative medication and any other tips you can share especially with a natural appetite stimulant or maybe there is some food i am missing to entice her. Sorry for the long winded post but my dog is my everything. Her name is ginger and I was blesed with finding her a stray 9 years ago and her estimated age is 12

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

i lost my sweet baby boy last year, he let me know he was ready by the way he acted that day and the things he did,

would not take the pills the dr gave us to give him, he loved the pill pockets and would always take them, if not for me always for my hubby. but that day he clinched his teeth together and refused another pill.

took to vet that afternoon, he hated going to the back rooms always tried to get back out fron door , not that day he walked towards the back and stoped and looked like ok its time, am ready to be at peace no pain and will be able to breath again. he was 17 my little man very spoiled and so loved

they say they will tell you , he did , he knew and when i looked at him i knew. i was not going let him go another min trying to breath and suffer so i did what was right for him, i love him so much and to this day i cry. i know have another one shes  my girl, could not get another boy or a black/white one  because i loved him so much.

hang in there , but plz dont wait to long, i know youo want shes your baby and you will do the right thing to. God Bless you .

[ziggystardust]

currently my  dog ginger is on cernia for nausea and compazine plus prednisone. i noticed that she has increased tremors especially at night and am wondering if anyone else out there has seen this as a side effect with any of these medciations when treating their dogs with chronic renal failure

[ziggystardust]

It is such a roller coaster ride and not a happy one at that. On Friday Sat and sunday ginger had three great days, Her appetite was good and she was relaxed and enjoying  being outside just sniffing the aire and barking at people. Then yesterday she did not want to eat again, She took a few lousy pieces of liver and treats and even refused her favorite flounder which she always scoffs up. When I came home last night she was trembling. Sh e continues to try and go eat grass outside.She paces when I try to give her food and she runs away after taking a few meager bites, yesterday she had her regular dosesages of prednisone compazine and cernenia plus her daily iv fluids. I dont see her trebling today but she is not eating and acting as if food makes her nauseated, Her breath is not uremic,  I also have been given her lypodium and nux vomica homeopathic pellets.
Can anyone suggest any natural alterrnatives for appetite and also nausea. and indigestion. since dogs try to eat grass when they have an upset stomache should I try to make a spearmint or mint water to give her. Im desperate to help my baby girl . Right now she is resting comfortably next to me while i seek help. please excuse misspellings as Im just so devistated. Should I continue to give her syringe feedings of baby food until her stomache feels a little better. is there something natural to give her to calm her. love and peace  robin and ginger

[pinky_93]

I know what you are going through.  I too am going through this with my 16 yr. old dog.  She too started vomiting on July 28th and I rushed her to the hospital.  She was diagnoised with renal failure.  The doctors have started her on a 3 day IV treatment which will end tomorrow.  They will retest her blood to see if her kidneys are responding.  My dog has not eatten since Thursday and is on nausea meds and does not want to eat.  

I too am struggling along with you as to what to do.  The doctor said to put her down, but when she looks at me I feel like it's not time.  She cries when I leave the room and I really want to bring her home tomorrow.  Her spirit is still there as well as the love.  

Has your dog had any blood clots in her urine?  The nurse said that it is from the kidney?

We both are on the same renal failure timeline with our loved ones...I too struggle with knowing if it's best to put her down.  I have never done this before but don't want my dog to suffer as well.  When she cries, it's a cry of lonliness when I leave rather than a cry from renal pain.  

I too am at the same crossroad as you.  But I think my dog will decide for me soon.
Best of luck as you journey with your loved one.  It's a difficult road to travel.