[xxgawjuzuxx]

I wrote on here while ago that my dog Jamie was sick ( not eating properly, throwing up, not acting herself etc. ) from tests today I found out that she has severe kidney failure I'm so upset I don't know what I'm going to without her she's my best friend the best dog anyone could have. At the vet today she has 2 blood tests and other stuff didn't growlor yelp once she is so good. I'm crying atm I'm trying not 2 let it show just yet I don't want her to be sad because I am in her last days. We have to put her 2 sleep soon maybe Wednesday before she goes through any more pain. She has lost 2 kg in a week and a bit and a lot of weight before than. The vet said there is nothing we can do for this. I wanted to check to see if anyone knew on here if there was anything at all that we could do to help her? Please help me.

[bushg]

Xxgaw. I have no suggestions other than I know that Oprah's dog a Black Cocker Spaniel was having kidney failure some months back and they were doing holistic treatments. As far as I know she is stll alive. You may be able to find something about that on the internet.
I also want to say how sorry I am. I know that you are terribly upset over this and are searching for any type hope. Just remember that you can only do so much and just be with her until the end.

[labman]

I am very sorry to hear that. It looks like you have come to the end of a rough road. I have my doubts about extending through unproven holistic treatments. I think it is cruel to give you false hope and would be cruel to make your dog suffer more on dubious cures.

[Sarah_the_vet_tech]

I'm sorry to hear about the news you have gotten. I myself have a 2 year old dog that is in kidney failure. So far for the last 3 months her kidney enzymes have stayed the same. They are not getting better and not getting worse.

The only treatment that I was doing was giving her fluids subcutaneously. That flushes some of the toxins out of the kidneys. But my Molly got to where she hated being given fluids so my husband and I stopped. We decided that when we thought she was suffering we would make a decision. We stopped the fluids about 6 months ago. She urinates sometimes in her sleep and sometimes walks with her back bowed up. But other than that she feels fine and plays like a puppy.

Ask your vet if giving fluids at home might help the situation. The thing you want to make important here is her quality of life. At our clinic we had a dog that the owners gave fluids for 2 years and he had a great life. The only reason he is no longer with us is because his owners had a baby and no longer had the time to give him the care he needed so they euthanized him. The fluids made a real difference in him. Because when he showed up on our doorstep we thought he wouldn't have made it another day but he went for 2 years.

How old is your dog? What are her symptoms? Does she eat and drink still?

[xxgawjuzuxx]

thank you we got told we could give her fluids but it would only extend her life for a couple of weeks a month at the most.. my dogs 7 years old she's staffy x boxer so she's usually hypo and bubbley. She hardly eats but the past 2 times she's ate she's thrown it up. As soon as she eats she goes and eats grass and throws up. She has been really sad and out of character and she gets up and stands there not knowing what to do. I feel so bad. I'm meant to make a choice for what day this week to get her put to sleep but to me there is no time I want to choose to end her life its going to be just as bad anyday. I know it has to happen though to sto the pain but she's my best friend.

[N0help4u]

I always tell people it is best to educate themselves about their health.
I don't know anything about dogs kidney problems.
I did reverse my dogs cancer for two years studying about it.
At this stage anything is worth trying.
I googled this
Read through these and see what all you can try for your dog.

herbs for dogs kidney failure - Google Search

[labman]

More unproven false hope.

[grammadidi]

My vet is a very well-known and highly regarded veterinarian in Canada. I lost my best friend, Sam (Samantha) to kidney failure in September, 2005. Dr. John asked me for permission to try one thing with her, and promised that if he felt that Sammy was suffering at all that he would tell me immediately and we would end treatment and euthanize immediately.

We put her on massive doses of intravenous fluids to flush out her kidneys. He has used the method before, and while it is often not successful, he has had enough positive results that he recommends it. If successful, it can give the dog several months to several years of a good quality life. He has one patients who is still alive 4 years later. After 2 days of treatment she began to eat a small amount. With something to calm her stomach she did not throw up what she ate. She was good for 3 or 4 days after treatment stopped but went downhill fast on the 4th night. On the morning of the 5th day I held her in my arms as she quietly went to sleep on her favourite blanket in the vet's office.

Would I do it again if one of 'my boys' was experiencing the same thing?? I give you a resounding "Yes!" Other than for a few hours in the wee hours of that last morning I know that she felt the same or better than she had felt in a long time. Also, if we hadn't tried the treatment she would not have lived more than a few hours as her condition was so advanced. Giving her the treatment gave us time to say our goodbye's without her suffering needlessly, and MIGHT have bought her some additional time.

I don't know if your Jamie is as far along as my Sam was. There just came a time when I knew that it was going to go from making her feel better and possibly well for a period to keeping her alive due to my own inability to let go. Once that line was in danger of being crossed... once I knew that she was feeling worse and I was only prolonging the inevitable... I was strong enough to make the right decision.

Only you really know how ill she is, but, contrary to some people's opinions I believe that you absolutely have the right to try something for a day or two if the vet agrees she won't suffer. Doctor's prolong people's lives every day, and sometimes people go through hell, but end up living for many years. Other times they live a few hours or days which allows family members and loved ones to come to terms with the impending loss.

Giving Jamie fluids will not hurt her, or make her suffer.

NO-ONE should judge you for needing that, or for trying to save the life of a loved one.

Do what is in your heart... you know what is best is your situation - not just for Jamie, but for you, too.

Warm hugs,
Didi

[grammadidi]

More unproven false hope.

... but a very warm, thoughtful, caring and well thought out response. That is important when someone is losing their best friend. You might want to consider that from time to time, Labman. It's not always about 'proven' responses and/or treatments (after all, isn't chemotherapy the same thing?). Sometimes it's just plain about about caring... and trying to help.

Hugs, Didi

[N0help4u]

Quote grammadidi agrees: It's as accurate as it can be under the circumstances. If nothing else, it gives empathy, support and hope - & that often works with humans, why not pets?

I believe when life gets to this point it is worth doing whatever you can even if it doesn't extend life it just might help with the quality in that short time that is left or even lessen the pain.

[dogpoundbrenda]

I agree with DiDi,if there is a chance no matter how small it is to save or extend one of my babies lives,I would do it in a heartbeat.As long as they are not in pain and have some quality of life.I have had 3 of my children,yes my children,put to sleep because they were suffering and all treatments had failed.They let me know it was time and I listened and I could see it in their eyes that it was time to let go.. and it was never easy... just right for them... XX you'll know when..

[bushg]

Xx I have thought about you and your dog a lot since I saw your post. I looked through some of nohelp4u's sites that she listed.
I am not trying to give you false hope... but as sarah the vet tech mentioned her dogs life has been extended through treatment. Read this link that I am providing and consult your vet... If he is not willing to try different treatments you may want to try a different vet. Please mention the chemical that your dog was exposed to with the vet. Here is the link that I found to be intresting, this Dr. does not appear to be selling any type of products. I can't see this as being a marketing tool for a product. He also encourages you to discuss these treatments with a vet.Kidney Failure in Dogs and Cats, and How to Deal With It -

It is for you to decide if you will try different methods to treat, or if your dogs health is too far gone. I wish you and your dog the best in the coming days.

[N0help4u]

Have to spread the rep... You are right it isn't about false hope. At this point it is about 'willing to try anything' and as I said at least may give the last days quality and/or prayfully lessen the pain.

[Dana2007]

A homeopathic remedy called Eel Serum otherwise known as Serum Anguillar Ichthyotoxin 30C has been known to help in humans and animals in desperate situations also.

Google to see if you can find a homeopath near you if you prefer to consult a professional. Some vets prescribe homeopathy also. Check your telephone book as well.


Might also consider joining a homeopathy Yahoo group for more help.

Pets4Homeopathy : A place to come together in the healing of our pets with homeopathy and all alternative healing modalities

[grammadidi]

Whoa! I read that your dog was exposed to a chemical?? Did she ingest it?? If so, she may have acute renal failure and not chronic (makes sense if this chemical incident was fairly recent). If so, there is chance... just a chance... that as long as she can be stabilized long enough, her kidneys could repair themselves! You would have to ensure that she has NO access to any offending chemicals, foods, etc. The vet could teach you how to give her fluids at home and he might possibly give her a diuretic if it is indicated once she is rehydrated. (Have to be careful with that though - can cause a vascular overload.) He will probably put her on something to keep her from vomiting as they did with my Sam and if she stabilizes, put her on a Kidney Diet (prescription food).

I really think you should discuss with the vet at least the option of attempting to rehydrate her and keep her stable for 3 or 4 days and make sure you tell him what she got into!!

Please keep us updated. My heart is with you.

Hugs, Didi

[Newny]

I just want to say I am a new guy on the block, a layman as it were with my own oppinions like all on here. I agree with all but one of the people that have responded to this poor person. A pet IS family and you want the best for it from beginning to end. The best life and least suffering, because in some eyes, the pet is as human as the owner. I am proud and happy to see so many understand that and will work to have ALL pets have the longest, happiest and most pain free life possible. You can really tell who is sympathetic to that whole family and who isn't. There are some who have a TERRIBLE bedside manner here and if they were in a hospital, or seeing my relative at home, that person would be out on his/her ear.at a time like thism I think a word of encouragement and support is a little more in order than saying... give it up, nothing's going to work, science hasn't said it would. Final thought... has science ever been wrong? Has it ever improved on that what it knows? Thank you for reading this.

[xxgawjuzuxx]

Thank you everyone for writing back to my post but on the 11th we had to put her to sleep I didn't want it to happen but I didn't want her to go through pain either. She usually doesn't mind going to the vet but that day she wanted to go straight back out and wouldn't go into the vets room. I feel so awful cause she came to me before the vet had to put her to sleep as if to protect her but I didn't.. she cuddled into my arm hiding and cuddling me.. she went to sleep so quickly and I saw the colour go from her eyes I just kept telling her I love her and I was sorry. She was such a beautiful dog the best dog and best friend I've ever had. Its so strange without her here I usually say goodnight and I love her every night and tuck her in and I keep thinking I see her outside but I know she's not. No dog can ever replace her I feel like I'm missing a huge part of me. I love her so much rest in peace jamie jame.

[bushg]

xxgawjuzuxx I am sorry for your loss, I know it isn't easy, but try to take comfort in the fact you were with her until the end.

[Dana2007]

xxgawjuzuxx
Your dog probably didn't want to leave you. She probably didn't want to make you feel sad because she had to go home to God.

Be happy for her that she is in heaven now free of suffering and pain.

May she rest in peace.

[grammadidi]

I truly ache for your loss as I know how you feel. She was probably picking up on YOUR feelings, hun. You know in your heart that it was the right time. I hope you will take a moment to visit this Rainbow Bridge page. It is one of the nicest pages I have seen done with this prose.

If you need support in your loss, there are places available, sweetie. Just say the word and I will point you to a few good ones.

Gentle hugs,
Didi