Renal Kidney failure

[suzy_99]

I just brought my dog, Chuckie, to the vet today and he was diagnosed as most likely having a type of renal kidney failure. Unfortunately I was not able to get all the tests that are necessary for a sure diagnosis, but the vet is still pretty positive. I was given a prescription that he is suppose to take for about 2 weeks and then I have to go back and see if he has had any improvement. My question is, does anyone here know if it is actually worth going through the emotional and financial burden of IV fluids?? My vet has already informed me that this would cost over $500 and that he cannot guarantee that it would even work and he did not seem to be pushing me to do it. Chuckie is already past 11 years old, which I am told is quite old, because he is a collie/bird dog mix. I am just very conflicted with what to do. We once had a cat that had chronic kidney failure and we tried everything to help maitain her quality of life, but nothing worked and we cannot go through that again. It would also help if anyone could tell me what kind of quality of life he can have if we do not go ahead with the fluids. He does not yet seem to be suffering at all. I am not even sure when euthanization should be considered. What are signs that he is suffering??

My second problem is that we got Chuckie with his brother and they have never been separated. Many friends keep on telling me that once one of them passes, the other won't be far behind. Is this true?? His brother, Charlie, is still healthy as can be except for a little joint pain. Is there anything I can do to make this easier on him if we do have to make the difficult decision to euthanize his brother??

Sorry for being so long, but this is the first time that I have ever really had to deal with the possible loss of a pet since I was a little kid and I'm not really handeling it to well at this time. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Iluvmyanimals05]

Hi,
Are Shetland sheepdog had kidney failure and was only 5 years old and was a great dog. And we could only give him so much meds. We could not afford surgery or anything major we would've done suregery or major meds. if we could've afford it. We had somebody pet sit him when we went on a week vaca. and came back and was suffering he was breathing really hard and would not eat Mcdonald fries and he used to allways eat human food he was suffering and we had to do what was best for him and put him down. If we did'nt put him down he would've past away soon after that!
It was very hard to put him down. He was the best dog i've ever had!
I would do the meds. if i were you. Chances are your dog could still have some years in him. I hope you have good luck with your dog. Collies and Shelties are great dogs!
~!~Mandy~!~

 

[Mordy]

suzy, please check out the "kidney" section at www.dogaware.com - it is a great resource.

i'm sure you will be able to provide good quality of life for a little longer without breaking the bank.

the k9kidneys yahoo group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/K9KIDNEYS/) is also a good place to talk to people with experience on your situation.

i hope it helps.

 

[Barb04]

Suzy, I just want to say my heart goes out to you. We are here for you. Please keep us updated on Chuckie.

 

[Renee750il]

What Barb said, Suzy. And listen to Mordy - she won't steer you wrong.

From experiences with some of my animals, you need to work with this for awhile. If you give up, you'll always have doubts about what might have happened. Give it a go. Get your vet to show you how to administer the subcutaneous fluids. It's not difficult. We did it for my cat, Gonzo, when he was diagnosed with FIV. My Mom did do most of them, as she is an RN, but I learned to do it and it's very simple. That should cut back on some of the expenses without compromising care, and it will be less traumatic on Chuckie if he gets to stay at home for those treatments.

If the time comes for you to release Chuckie, he will let you know. He'll look into your eyes one day and you'll understand that he's telling you it's time to let go.

Charlie will grieve for Chuckie (love the pair of names, by the way - clever), but there is nothing written in stone that says he will pine himself away. Dogs - like people - handle grief in different ways. Some do lose the will to live, others grieve and go on with life, although often you will see a change in their demeanor if the bond was a close one.

Keep us informed, please, we'll be thinking of you and Chuckie and Charlie.

 

[suzy_99]

I actually talked it over with my vet today and we have decided to not do any fluid treatment. He told me that that since Chuckie was already not in the best of health before this happened, that the chances of any change is very low and that if he does improve, it will probably only be for a matter of a couple of months, not years as it is with some dogs. He did tell me that he may still be happy as can be throughout the summer, but that he cannot say for certain. At this point Chuckie actually seems healthier than he has ever been, except for the weight loss. He use to be quite overweight, but now he is much more active, he no longer has any type of joint and muscle pain (before he use to limp any time it was cloudy outside) and he just seems to have a much better temperment. We are glad about this because at least his last few months will be happy ones. Thank you everyone for you suggestions and kind words, we are still hoping that this is just caused by a bacterial infection, which is what he is on medications now for, but we are prepared for whatever the outcome will be.

 

[Renee750il]

We will all be keeping that bit of hope in our thoughts. Keep us posted on how Chuckie is doing. I guess you've figured out that we worry a bit . . .

 

[suzy_99]

Chuckie passed on today . He was doing quite well for a while and even seemed to put on a little weight, but he stopped eating completely on Friday and by today there was nothing left to him and we knew that we couldn't let him suffer anymore. We will all miss him terribly and the grief is almost to much to handle right now, but it is actually a little easier than it has been for the past few days, because I now know that he is no longer suffering and that I had to do what I did because I love him so much.

(I tried to post a picture, but I couldn't get it to work)

 

[Renee750il]

I'm so sorry, Suzy. You stuck right with him and took the very best possible care of him. Loving him was the best medicine of all.

You keep in touch with us here. Post stories about Chuckie in the Rainbow Bridge forum when you feel like it. We're holding you in our thoughts. Just know that Chuckie is still keeping an eye on you, waiting for you patiently. When the time is right, you'll look into a pair of eyes and know that Chuckie has sent you a companion to make you laugh and smile again and chase away the loneliness.

 

[Renee750il]

Oh, and it's much easier to post photos in the members' galleries in the Dog Pictures pages. You'll see the link at the top of the page here. We'd love to see some photos of your boy.

 

[bubbatd]

All my added sorrow to you all...it's NEVER easy to lose a friend.......Will be watching for the Rainbow Bridge tribute. God Bless !