I need advice. My dog is in the end stages of kidney failure and will really only eat...?

Question

...people food. She's 13. She doesn't want to eat her special kidney diet. I've woken up the last 3 mornings and she has peed and had diarreha all over the kitchen floor. She just did it again. I've spent about $1500 in vet bills this month between her and my cat. I can't afford to keep taking her to the vet, but I also can't have her ruining the floors. I'm due to give birth in a month and can't handle it. The vet says she won't get any better. I don't want to put her down but is that the right thing to do? What would you do?

Answer 1

I am so sorry hon. I just went through the same thing last nov. with chow mix and it was the hardest thing to deal with. I feed her boiled hamburger mixed with white rice. The rice stops the diarrhea and helped her stomachache. I feel for you and I understand it is difficult. I did just as you are and its true that in the end I had to decide what right and fair. It was the right thing to do to have her put out of her misery and pain and not fair for me to be selfish. I still cry now and again when I think of her but pictures abound here in my house.good luck to you.

Answer 2

That is so sad. Kidney failure is usually fatal in dogs. Just spoil her rotten, give her people food, let her sleep on the bed, dont get mad when she poops on the floor. Let her live out her life in peace.

Dr. Dog

Answer 3

I am sooooo sorry.. :-(

My personal advice is....Just get it over with...

Call your vet tomorrow and set up an appointment for say, wednesday...That way you've got time to say goodbye and spoil her rotten...

But please think about this, is your reason because she's suffering terribly ? Or because she's ruining your floors ?

If it's the latter ? Your decision will haunt you the rest of you life...

Answer 4

If she is going to die soon anyway, why not put her down. She is obviously in pain and doesn't feel good and you are in no position to give her round the clock care. This may be the only humane thing to do for her. If she were able to recover, that would be a different story but, her kidneys are failing. It's just a matter of days. Help her go out with dignity and be there to hold her as she goes out, to let her know you love her.

Answer 5

I am sorry

I had to beg my parents to put their dog down because every time I went to visit the dog looked worse.  It got to the point where they would carry her outside to pee.  Your dog is already loosing weight and not eating, soon she won't even want to eat the cheese that her meds are in.  She is a tiny dog to begin with so she can't last much longer if she is losing 2 pounds every couple weeks.  Animals are not selfish but we as humans are, think of what is best for your dog.  Do you think your dog is happy living the way she is now with going to the bathroom on your floor?  Not eating?  

Answer 6

Read this especially the last part, it might help with this very difficult decision. I had to make this decision last year with my dog, so I know what it's like. I trust you will make right one where she is concerned. I hope you handle this better than I did. I hope you have a beautful and healthy baby.

A  DOG’S  PLEA

   Treat me kindly, my beloved  friend, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

   Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I might l**k your hand between blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me things you would have me learn.

   Speak to me often, for your voice is the world’s sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footsteps far upon my waiting ears.

   Please take me inside when it is cold and wet, for I am a domesticated animal, no longer accustomed to bitter elements. I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth.

   Keep my pan filled with  fresh water, for I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst.

   Feed me clean food that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.

   And my friend when I am very old and no longer enjoy good health, hearing and sight, do not make heroic efforts to keep me going. I am not having any fun. Please see that my life is taken gently and keep my memory and the love I had in your heart forever.

Answer 7

I would put her down, we recently put ours down, she was 15, it was hard, but she isn't suffering anymore! She is in a much better place. It will be good for you and her! She had heart failure...

Answer 8

Well first off, you have to think about you and your unborn baby.  If it's stressing you out too much, you may need to put her down.  Figure out how much you are capable of handling and go from there.  If you want to try for a little longer, maybe you could leave her in the laundry room or a bathroom with a baby gate up.  Somewhere that the floors aren't priority.  Or maybe she would go on puppy pads.  They come in large sizes.

Two pounds doesn't sound like much but it is for a small or medium sized dog.  When it gets to the point that she won't eat anything, then it's definitely time.

Kidney diet food on is only TRULY effective before they hit kidney failure.  It's often used in pets that have diabetes or something that cause a higher risk of kidney failure.  So give her anything she will eat.  I suggest boiled chicken, maybe mixed with some broth.  It's bland enough not to cause upset stomach but it's easily digested.  

Good luck with your decision!  I'm sure you will make the right one.

Answer 9

Yeah, sadly it might be her time.

Final stages of kindey failure are very hard on a dog and causes the body a good deal of pain. At least she can go out with some dignity and less suffering.

If you insist on trying to keep her up, just stop giving her people food. She will get hungry enough to eat the special diet.