Houdini has Kidney Failure - I'm so sad

[YorkieLover]

Well the vet called me back tonight and said Houdini is in Kidney Failure. I was hoping someing here could tell me if there is anything I can do? The vet says he isn't in any pain, is that true? She says he only has weeks? I'm so upset, sick to my stomache and heartbroken. We've never had pets before and in the last 2 years have managed to adopt 4 and Houdini is our oldest. Someone please help me with advice, experiences, anything.
Thanks

 

[jess2416]

Im so sorry to hear that Im not sure what to say other than I will be sending good thoughts your and houdini's way....

 

[Doberluv]

Oh I am so terribly sorry. Kidney failure is not a good prognosis. This has to be such a shock to you and so heart breaking. Your vet is the best source of information. I've had cats who got very old and their kidneys started going. My old Lab had her liver get bad. This is one of those horrible things when we have pets. I am just so very sorry. My heart aches for you. I know how you feel. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Spend the time you have giving her extra love and fun. Enjoy her and let her enjoy her time she has with you.

(((hugs)))

 

[Barb04]

My prayers go out to you and Houdini. I'm so sorry for this news. The only thing I can say is to give Houdini all the love you have during this time. Many of us know what's it like to lose a pet and words just can't say how we feel. We are here for you whenever you need us.

 

[YorkieLover]

Thanks everyone. I went and spoke to the vet one on one this morning and it looks like we don't have alot of time left. We are going to have to make a decision as to when. I just don't think I can have him pts, my husband wants to let him die at home. What do you guys think? She said he's really not in pain just miserable (like flu like symptoms)?

 

[Renee750il]

Make him as comfortable as you can. He will give you a look to let you know when he wants to be let go - you'll know. Or he may drift off on his own. You just don't want his last days to be miserable.

Do check to see if your vet would make a home visit when and if you need it.

(((((((HUGS))))))) This is the hard part about loving a dog . . .

 

[carlar]

That is so sad. At least he got to experience love with you all. You need to decide if the he is suffering and end it at that point. There is no reason to let him suffer needlessly. I know you love him and want to keep him with you as long as possible but you need to think of what is best for him. I will be thinking of you all.

 

[Fran27]

That sucks Did he offer any treatment at all? I don't know how it is for dogs, but our cat was just diagnosed with kidney failure also, and they told us to do fluid injections... They did it for 3 days at the vet and it seemed to help a lot. We're going to have to do it at home twice a week, give him a special diet etc.

At the same time, one of my old cats had kidney failure also, and the vet said she should already be dead when they did the tests... but she lived at least another year without treatment.

Personally, before mourning I would get a second opinion.

 

[YorkieLover]

Wow Fran, so your 2nd cat had no treatment and lived another year? I think I may have to get that 2nd opinion.

 

[Fran27]

Yes and she was old and cranky, lol. I think it depends on a lot of things. That being said, it's good to know if treatment is worth it or not, if it's just going to make the dog unhappy without really doing anything good, no need to put the pet through it, see what I mean?

I just find it weird that the vet wouldn't even mention treatment and discuss with you if you want to do it or not. I'm sure it's different with cats and dogs though - maybe you should call your vet and ask their opinion about it?

 

[YorkieLover]

Well she did state that she could give him fluids but his kidney's are in failure and it is inevitable what is coming next. She has put him on an antibiotic and something for his stomache. She said when they are in Kidney failure that they get alot of acid in their stomache and the medicine should help with that. She also wants to re-check his blood on Monday but it really is just a matter of time. We are to watch his quality of life, ie: eating , drinking, wanting to be petted, going outside, etc. We need to make a list of these things and when we see these things we need to do it.

 

[bubbatd]

My heart aches for you . I had to decide with my Chip . I decided not to let him linger ...............so had to do .

 

[Fran27]

I agree, that there is nothing to do for the kidneys, but you can avoid the blood being poisined with fluids... but yeah, it might be at a point where it's hard to do anything I agree that in the end it's the quality of life that matters though. Good luck, and give a hug to your dog for me.

 

[casablanca1]

It depends on how happy you are with your vet, but a second opinion, especially at a big vet hospital, might be a good idea if a) it's possible and b) you wish to go that route.

In any case, my condolences on the situation. I know it's very hard.

 

[~Jessie~]

I am so sorry. Our dalmatian had kidney failure when she was 10

 

[Amstaffer]

Well the vet called me back tonight and said Houdini is in Kidney Failure.

I am very very sorry to hear about Houdini, Just think about the great times you had together and how lucky he was to find you. Just make his time left the best possible.

 

[SeniorPetLover]

Check out Epakitin & Azodyl...they work wonders! They brought one of my little dogs back from death's door and combined with reglan for nausea, a low fat/low protein diet and daily sub-q fluids, she lived 6 months longer than my vet had predicted...in the end, she sucumbed to COPD so it wasn't even the kindney disease that got her...her blood work was terrible and she refused to eat when she was first diagnosed...my vet decided to try these new drugs and I can't say enough good things about them. I highly recommend giving it a try. Good luck!
http://www.vetoquinolusa.com/pages/global_02.html

PS-I fed boiled chicken breast to my little dog and also Science Diet WD Prescription diet canned cat food. She was so bad in the beginning that she required hospitalization and IV fluids and she bounced back, so there is hope!

 

[YorkieLover]

Thanks so much everyone. I will definitely ask my vet about these new drugs. So far he seems to be o.k., he's eating normally, drinking normally and actually has been going outside more frequently. He seems to want to be with us and be petted so I'm just spoiling him rotten...lol

He has had a great 2 years with us and we have been blessed so much by him and Myles (we adopted them together)... These 2 had never touched grass, had never been loved on and were so skittish 2 years ago, they have come so so far it's been fun watching them grow and come out of their shells.

 

[Denaluvscorgis]

I'm so sorry to hear about Houdini!!!! I'm sending you thoughts & prayers!!!!(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

 

[sam]

I'm so very sorry.
Personally I err on the side of having them PTS to soon than having them suffer. Animals tend to be so stoic that by the time we realise things are bad enough that they need vet care, they are pretty miserable.
I don't know about animals, but in humans kidney failure is awful and certainly can cause bone pain, itchiness, nausea- it's not nice at all.