kayla1

Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts. I really do appreciate it.

Specific to just being old?? I posted my boy's kidney failure thread in palliative care because that's exactly what it was, palliative care. I had already posted two other related threads in health with limited response. It's not about an expectation of replies, but a hope that someone somewhere can share some advice or thoughts. So if you're in a situation with a chronically ill dog and feeling desperate and getting nothing, of course you can feel disheartened. I do read the palliative care threads, same as I read rainbow bridge. My heart aches for people in those situations. I very rarely have any constructive advice other than to express my sympathy. But as Sheridan said, some threads get more support than others. I tend to post in threads where it looks like there is not as much support, but that's a personal choice I make because I really feel for those people.

The vet came to the house this afternoon and Coco was given his wings. I knew last night that it wouldn't be long, and it all happened very quickly. His body just couldn't cope anymore and he told me very clearly that it was time to rest. It was very peaceful. I love you with all my heart Coco xxxx :cry:

Thanks dogmad for sharing your story, I'm glad your girl had such good quality life. Thank you k9angel, shepherds, and gwp4me for your thoughts. I really appreciate it. My beautiful boy has gone downhill very quickly the last couple of days, and it's nearly time to say goodbye. And now my beautiful old girl Kayla developed vestibular disease yesterday, and even though she is struggling to walk she still manages to find her way over to Coco to check on him. :cry:

What lovely photos. Sorry for your loss.

Thanks for the reply Xyz. It's hard because my favourite vet is on maternity leave so I've been seeing other vets at this clinic. Although I have still been emailing my favourite vet and she's been incredibly helpful with all the info she's provided. Thanks Sheridan, sorry to hear you lost a dog to this disease. I don't know about the different types of kidney disease, and the vets aren't sure why Coco's kidney failure has come on so quickly (although medication side effects have been suggested). Up until the last couple of days he's been really good. But in the early hours of this morning, his expression showed me for the first time that something was 'wrong'. So I lost the plot today and spent most of the day crying. I guess I knew it was coming, given his blood test results, but it just made it all real. Though he was actually good on his walk this morning, and has slept soundly most of the day, but he is vomiting more and eating less. So his medication has been changed from zantac to losec to see if that helps, and he's had an antiemetic. He hasn't had fluids yet, I'll need to make sure it's ok with his heart. I've read about fluids under the skin but the vet recommended iv fluids, I'm not sure which is best.

Does anybody have any experience with this awful disease?

My beautiful old boy Coco has recently been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, and is only expected to live another few weeks. Coco is 14yrs old now, and he has been here with me for just over three years. The poor boy has had far more than his fair share of complex health problems, but he is a tough cookie and has continued to do really well despite the problems he has had. In fact I only found out about the kidney disease through routine blood tests, because he was not showing symptoms. It's only been the last week or so when he has had more vomiting and diarrhoea, and his mouth ulcers have multiplied. Obviously there is no cure for kidney failure, so I want to make sure he is as comfortable as possible for the time he has left. His creatinine and BUN levels are extremely high, but he is doing surprisingly well at the moment. He has a good appetite and is still active and happy, and the vets are really surprised at this. His blood tests also show regenerative anaemia, most likely a bleed from a stomach ulcer. He's been on a lot of medication for his spinal problems, and more recently heart medication, which has most likely contributed. He'll be staying on the kidney diet while he is still eating, and once he stops eating I'll give him whatever food he will accept. He's currently getting zantac and carafate, vitamin b injections, and will be starting on chinese herbs soon. I've also just heard about azodyl, so will ask the vet about that. Does anyone have any experience with kidney disease? Did you use fluids, or other treatments?

Unfortunately the results are only getting worse. Creatinine is now 315 and urea is 57. We stopped the fortekor a week ago because of the possibility of it being the cause of kidney failure. He's still had episodes of vomiting and also diarrhea this week, but is eating well and likes the kidney diet. The restlessness has eased off since stopping the fortekor and he can now sleep through the night, which is a good thing at least. The vets still think kidney disease but he's getting tested for Addison's disease tomorrow, just in case.

Yep! I didn't name any of my dogs, I just kept the names they came with. The only thing I've found is with Coco, everyone seems to call him a 'she' and tell him what a pretty 'girl' he is. It doesn't seem to bother him. :laugh:

I've used the shear magic and they were good. Didn't like the gripsoft ones because when I pressed down to cut the nail, there was a small gap where the handles close together, and I caught the skin of my hand in there a few times...which hurt a bit! I'm using the herm sprenger ones now and they're pretty sharp.

Sounds like he was very lucky to have such a dedicated owner. I'm sorry for your loss. Run free Monte.

One of my dogs has front leg lameness due to a disc problem in his neck. A chiro vet should be able to identify any neck/spinal problems.

Your tribute is so beautiful it has brought me to tears. I'm so sorry for your loss.

What a cutie! I love seeing them blossom in foster care.

Thanks for the link sheena. I'm sure my boy would love those home-made treats but unfortunately I doubt he'd be allowed to have them because of the restrictions on phosphorus, protein, sodium with this diet.

Thanks karly101, that's good to hear.

Does anyone have any experience with using My Best Friend Vet (Dr Emma Whiston) for palliative care and home euthanasia? Thanks.

Lots of things unfortunately, it's very restrictive, must be low phosphorus and high quality protein. Food is either RC or Hills kidney diet, or there is a home made recipe that I'm not game enough to try at this stage. The only thing I can find in the way of suitable treats is Hills prescription diet biscuits, but I'm after something I can use as treats when out walking. I'll take a pocketful of the RC or Hills kidney dry if I have to, but ideally I'd like to find something different/tastier.

Does anyone know of any treats, either bought or home made, that are suitable for dogs on a kidney diet?

Agree, the oldies are very special. Sorry for your loss.

Thanks for the reply Jules. :) It's hard when you don't know isn't it. Actually the only reason I got the blood tests done now was because he's on the month break with trocoxil, and I thought it would be a good time. They've suggested follow up blood tests in 2-4 weeks. They're not going to hospitalise him at this stage because he seems to be doing ok. I haven't had any experience with kidney disease before...so I've spent last night and today reading as much as I can. Now my head is spinning and I'm trying very hard to not stress because Coco picks up on my moods and I don't want him getting stressed.

Coco (14yr old Brittany) had some blood tests done this week that showed some unexpected changes: Urea 42.5 (3.6-8.9) Creat. 295 (43-129) Alk phos 196 (10-120) ALT 243 (5-80) Other increases are potassium, CK, GGT, lipase, phosphate. Red cell count is low 4.09 (5.50-8.50), but vet said is responding so less likely to be related to kidneys, mentioned possible internal bleed? Urine test showed no protein, no infection. Vet said it's not dilute, but not concentrated either - somewhere in between. So the vets are leaning towards grade 3 kidney disease, and we'll start on a kidney diet. Other possibilities ruled out were dehydration and blockage. The vet also mentioned toxins but he doesn't have access to anything that I can think of. He has been on a lot of medication for spinal issues over the last 12mths, esp trocoxil but is now on the month break (won't be restarting now though), and has recently started on fortekor for his heart (with very good results). The vets said he should be showing as a very sick dog, but he's actually pretty good - he's happy, eating well. Drinking/urinating more often but has been for some time due to meds, vomits and shows some restlessness occasionally. Spinal issues are stable and he's doing really well in that respect. I've spoken to a couple of vets and will be going back again, but I just thought I'd post here in case someone has any other ideas.

Looks like full details are not known, but it is very sad. Source A 14-year-old girl has been found dead at a house where a number of dogs were "out of control". Jade Anderson's body was discovered by police at a property in Atherton, near Wigan, at about 14:00 GMT after someone saw the girl unconscious in the house. Police have not established the cause of death but said her injuries were "consistent with having been attacked by dogs". Four of the dogs were killed. Jade did not live at the Chaucer Grove home and was thought to be visiting. Greater Manchester Police said four dogs described as "aggressive and out of control" had since been put down. Early indications were two of the dogs put down were bull mastiffs and two may be Staffordshire bull terriers, officers said. Police arrived to find the girl alone in the house and managed to get four of the five dogs contained in the garden. The force said the animals were then put down "humanely" by armed officers. A fifth dog was securely contained. The dogs' remains will now be examined as part of the investigation into the incident. Supt Mark Kenny said: "First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family of the girl who has tragically lost her life. "I understand this is an extremely distressing incident for all concerned, including the community, and we will work hard to establish the full circumstances that led to this tragedy."

What a great video. :laugh: