question about kidney disease

[PegsterVa]

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

[Misfits4Me]

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Dogs/4th-stage-renal-failure-in-my-dog/show/425814?page=1

[amielynn24]

At this point, love on her and let her know how special she is to you.  I'm sorry :( it's horrible saying goodbye esp when they love you so much for their whole lives.  

[PegsterVa]

I think I will try some tuna juice mixed with water.  Tuna juice was always irresistible (though no longer interesting over her kibble anymore).  :(

[PegsterVa]

From your comments it seems Phoenix is closer to the end than I thought.  A month or two ago she would eat pasta, or I would add it to chicken broth and some canned dog food and make a shake in the blender.  Now, even the most enticing morsel she turns away in disgust.  We managed to get her to eat maybe 5 tiny pieces of steak (steak!!) today, but the gusto is definitely not there. Last week all she would eat was stale bread or stale donuts. Forget dog food of any kind. MAYBE some canned cat food, but only a few tablespoons. I will be interested to hear what the vet says on Saturday (if she is still with us then). I actually check to see if she is still breathing in the middle of the night (she sleeps next to me).  Ugh.

[PegsterVa]

That no longer works.  

[PegsterVa]

I wish. She won't even eat the canned food in the little cans.