Kidney Failure - When It's Time to Let Go?

[Lilyshuman]

My beloved doggie was diagnosed with kidney failure on Thursday, January 24th.

Looking back at what I do know, I know that Lily was fine back in May/June, and even in August, since she had seen the vet and she'd had blood work done. It wasn't until last week that I suspected there was something wrong with her because she hadn't touched her bowl of kibble. She'd had one or two peeing/vomiting incidents, which was unusual, and she seemed so lethargic. Of course I took her to the vet, and you know the rest.

The vet gave me three meds: sub-q fluids, phosphate binder, and one more I'm forgetting. I went to the store and bought Tums. These are what I'm giving Lily. The vet warned me that she had weeks, maybe 1 to 2 months to live. She eats the wet dog food that I bought because she no longer will touch the kibble or the chicken or apples she loved so much. Not healthy, I know, but the vet said to feed her anything that she wants.

Her breath stinks. She spends most of her day lying on the towel, sleeping/napping. She still can go outside on her own, and she wags her tail. She's still aware. She throws up most of the food she eats. She is still drinking water. She poops in her sleeping area - something she never has done before. But she still loves me and tries to comfort me.

The vet said it wasn't time to put her to sleep. But, me, I don't want her to suffer. Is it wrong to think that she should be put to sleep now? :( She has been my beloved baby for so long, and now that she's nearing her 11th birthday, I don't know if it's kind to make her hang on like this. I want to tell the vet to do it already. I have said my goodbyes, as much as I can.

Please help.

[Lilyshuman]

Despite my initial post, Lily still has a lot of good days than bad, so I am just enjoying the time we have together. The end will come before we know it :(

I won't let Lily suffer - she is my first dog ever, and I love her too much.

I hope you'll get more days with your terrier.

[MilosMum06]

I would hate to dredge up anything sad after so many years, but I just came across this post and I am going through something similar with my little guy Milo. He is not doing very well at the moment, not eating, weak. May I ask how much more time you got with Lily after finding out? I know that every case is different, but I have been on so many of these posts and I just want to know how much longer did you get with her?

[Zoewatson]

My Zoe has kidney failure as well. Today was my first bad day. She vomited last night in bed. I have made an appointment to have her put down on Thursday, but having read the above and all your messages, I dont believe its time to go, just one bad day. She's eating her fav foods, not vomiting on a regular basis, drinks a lot of water and is doing her ablutions with a little bit of help of the steps to the grass. She is also still barking and does a little jig now and then. Judging by the above notes I will put that on hold. Thanks everyone, we love our fur babies so much it hurts. Its good to share and understand that we are all going through the same thing. Bless you and your pets

[Gingermissy]

my sister had a vision of him running to my grandmother in My beloved Toy Poodle Rocky just had to be put down suddenly due to kidney failure. (November 14, 2016). The vet knew he had gum disease and I thought the bad breath was from that. I decided to take his teeth out at 14.9 months old. He would have been 15 on Feb. 10,2017. But, before teeth were removed, I had to have an expensive blood test to check all was ok. It surprising revealed Kidney failure. The vet discussed ways to treat it but said, even if it was treated, Rocky would only live about 3 to 6 months. He was peeing all night and I was up all night with him wanted to go outside. I thought, this is great because my baby is still asking to go outside. But,  I never realize it was because of kidney failure that he was drinking so much. His appetite was huge though. He was eating everything, I mean everything. His bed, dog poop, tissue. So did not have the loss of appetite yet nor the throwing up never occurred. So, he may be been in stage 1 or 2? I think renal failure has 4 stages. He also was tested for Cushion's disease but it came back negative. A vet came to my home on November 14, 2016 and at about 1 pm Rocky was administered his first needle in his vein to over sedate him. He looked up in the I-Pad camera that was filming the event, and heaven. I was holding him and crying. When his head flopped like a rag doll, I thought he was dead. The vet checked his heart and said it was still beating and she injected him again with a needle that would stop  his heart. So Sad,..I had to bury him in my back yard; even harder to remove his still warm body from my house.
Loosing my beloved Rocky this way, was not how I anticipated he would go in a million years. I always thought he would live to be minimum 16. Hoping for 20 like my neighbors dog! The ache in my heart and chest and pain in my abdomen are classic grief symptoms. Loose of appetite and guilt feelings are too. I prayed and asked Jesus to please reunite me with Rocky when I go to  heaven someday.

[LGSC]

Oh my word, what a sad yet beautiful resolution. I have a dog in late stage kidney failure. I struggle to know the right time. I've been told better a day early than a day late. You're strength and courage are a model for my  decision. God bless you and your "Rocky", he's out of pain, but you're not. I will be raking the same journey soon.

[Gingermissy]

my sister had a vision of him running to my grandmother in My beloved Toy Poodle Rocky just had to be put down suddenly due to kidney failure. (November 14, 2016). The vet knew he had gum disease and I thought the bad breath was from that. I decided to take his teeth out at 14.9 months old. He would have been 15 on Feb. 10,2017. But, before teeth were removed, I had to have an expensive blood test to check all was ok. It surprising revealed Kidney failure. The vet discussed ways to treat it but said, even if it was treated, Rocky would only live about 3 to 6 months. He was peeing all night and I was up all night with him wanted to go outside. I thought, this is great because my baby is still asking to go outside. But,  I never realize it was because of kidney failure that he was drinking so much. His appetite was huge though. He was eating everything, I mean everything. His bed, dog poop, tissue. So did not have the loss of appetite yet nor the throwing up never occurred. So, he may be been in stage 1 or 2? I think renal failure has 4 stages. He also was tested for Cushion's disease but it came back negative. A vet came to my home on November 14, 2016 and at about 1 pm Rocky was administered his first needle in his vein to over sedate him. He looked up in the I-Pad camera that was filming the event, and heaven. I was holding him and crying. When his head flopped like a rag doll, I thought he was dead. The vet checked his heart and said it was still beating and she injected him again with a needle that would stop  his heart. So Sad,..I had to bury him in my back yard; even harder to remove his still warm body from my house.
Loosing my beloved Rocky this way, was not how I anticipated he would go in a million years. I always thought he would live to be minimum 16. Hoping for 20 like my neighbors dog! The ache in my heart and chest and pain in my abdomen are classic grief symptoms. Loose of appetite and guilt feelings are too. I prayed and asked Jesus to please reunite me with Rocky when I go to  heaven someday.

[Gingermissy]

I put mine down at this stage. My vet told me he would support whatever I decided. It has been a week, and extremely painful emotionally. But, I did not want my beloved Rocky to suffer. He ate up a storm and never lost his appetite! His breath smelled terrible and he was drinking alot of water and peeing outside all night. He still asked to go to the bathroom. My chest hurts so bad since he has been gone! I want to cuddle him and hold him like a newborn again. He loved that! and to be kissed on the cheek and cuddled. But, I can't and all I can do is know that he was put down at my  house with a vet that came to my door, and I buried him in my back yard. I could not bear creamation. Also, I know that I would have done whatever it took to keep him alive, but my vet said that even if we do treat rocky, it would only be a matter of 3 to 6 months before he would pass. There is no cure for renal failure in dogs. ....so sad..but I believe in Heaven I will see him again...