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Post by rockpickerforever on Feb 1, 2013 11:55:27 GMT -5
I have an old dog with chronic renal failure. She was diagnosed on Halloween of 2012. It's been a real challenge, getting her to eat the special prescription food I get for her from the vet. We've gotten both dry and canned, from two food manufacturers. This is fed to her on a spoon (yes! it's like that!), small meals about five times a day. Good thing I don't have a nine-to-five... In addition to the purchased food, I've been giving her people food, anything that is easy to digest, low in protein and phosphorous, like peas, yams, pasta, egg whites, etc. What she eats one day, she'll refuse the next day, or even the next feeding.
She also takes a couple of pills each day (to keep her stomach settled), that have to be given on an empty stomach (two hours before, and one hour after eating). I have become a clock watcher and alarm setter! Some days, she will eat well, others days, she just turns her head, and gives me a look that says, "Seriously, you don't think I'm going to eat this, do you?" I can totally empathize with parents trying to feed baby food to their little one - "Here comes the airplane!"
She got to go to Quartzsite with us a week ago (as she has for all the trips we've made out there, as well as vacations), and I think she enjoyed it. I've never had her kenneled before, she always goes with us. Besides, I don't think I could have found a kennel that would give her the amount of TLC she needs right now.
The funniest thing is feeding her spaghetti noodles. Have you ever given them to a dog? It's hilarious! And, no, they can't suck them in like Lady and Tramp in the Disney movie. When she gets them hanging out the sides of her mouth, she looks like a swamp-living dinosaur with a mouth-load of food. These days I find humor wherever I can... I'll have to take a photo and post it.
It's been three months since she was diagnosed, and I wonder how long this will go on? She goes back next week for labs again to check her blood levels. Anyone else have experience with renal failure in dogs? I also had a cat that passed away from renal failure several years ago, but she was almost 22 years old. You have to die from something, right?
Thanks for listening to me. Jean
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Post by NatureNut on Feb 1, 2013 12:38:24 GMT -5
Oh yes, I had a four year old Golden Retriever/ Black Lab mix that had nephritis associated with Lyme Disease. She had no Lyme symptoms until the renal failure. Took her to the major vet hospital in Philly for the best treatment we could find. She had a couple blood transfusions and we went through the stomach stuff and special diets for three months. They said it was a miracle she lasted that long. This was back in the late 90's and they weren't doing subcutaneous liquids for dogs then, only for cats. Bless you for what you are doing for your baby. Wish there were better treatment options. Huggs. Jo
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on Feb 1, 2013 13:45:54 GMT -5
Yeah, My long time companion and pal, a fox terrier named Cody, had renal failure due to a medication he was getting for hip problems. He lasted a few months with special diets and meds but eventually he just lost all interest in food and was starting too sort of tune everything out. Eventually, he appeared to me to be in pain so I called one of the vets in who makes housecalls for euthanasia. Cody had been to the vets office so much he was terrified of the place. Held him in in my arms and cried my freaking eyes out while he was put to sleep. He was sedated first so it seemed to cause no pain at all and it was a relief to see him at last out of misery. Cody was my shadow and since I was retired he never ever left my side. Broke me up so much I haven't been able to buy another dog yet, as he was so intelligent (Seemed to understand English better than most humans) and unbelievably well mannered. I just don't think I'd ever find his equal in my heart. Now, I have the same attachment for my favorite horse, even though he's meaner than a snake. I'm not a giant fan of human beings but man I love animals...Mel
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Post by orrum on Feb 1, 2013 13:48:05 GMT -5
Bake the sweet potatos skin n all n oven with no wrap at 375, a very sugary sap will form and dogs go knackers over it!!! She should eat that, peel should be shredded n fed, she will need the fiber in both the peel n potato. Get the largest u can find cause it will have tougher fibers, dont worry they soften with the temp in the oven. She needs fiber cause a dog eating very little gets constipated and wont eat cause they r full! They love to eat sweet potatoes n they r very nutritious. Bake them till the sugary sap comes out, as they cool they should wrinkle up n be asy to mash. Stop with the people food immediately!!!!!! If you feed a pet very delicious people food even a healthy pet will become a very finicky eater! You cannot starve a dog to dath without very severe treatment, look at dogs chained with no food that live for several months on insects,stray mouse etc and water! If she doesna eat at first dont worry she will and you can save the tempting people food for when she needs it in the end stage. I went to vet school, one of the reasons I didnt practice is I cant stand people killng pets and horses with kindness! Sorry if you dont agree but my advice is sound.
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Post by Rockoonz on Feb 1, 2013 14:14:55 GMT -5
You had a cat live 22 yrs? You take good care of your pets. I have no advice, but can pray for peace for both of you through this process.
Lee
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Post by rockpickerforever on Feb 1, 2013 14:25:23 GMT -5
Thank you all for your concerns. Dang, it got blurry there for a second... And thanks for the huggs, Jo.
Orrum, when I said "people" food, I didn't mean like table food. I hear where you are coming from, but I don't agree. I suppose I would rather kill her with kindness, than just let her die in the next week. Even my vet was surprised at how well she is doing, and said to keep doing whatever it is I am doing. I've had four dogs put to sleep over the years (because of illness or old age and deteriorating health), and when the time comes, I will not hesitate to give this old girl the same courtesy.
I went online, and did a lot of research on what CRF dogs should and shouldn't eat. Sweet potatoes or yams came highly recommended, but feeding too many of them will also cause problems - too much fiber. Getting up two or three times during the night to take her outside is not my idea of fun - especially when I have to go out first and make sure there are no skunks in the yard. But that's another story... You also can't feed sweet potatoes exclusively. She's always been on a very high quality kibble (sorry, I draw the line at feeding the BARF diet or other homemade diet), but it also has a high protein content - 22% minimum! Also, the dog biscuits she used to get were also 22%. The special renal food is like 11% protein. And I found some dog biscuits (Newman's Own) that she really likes that are only 4% protein.
During the summer, she loved to eat the COOKED zucchini from our garden (with juice from cooking drained off - it takes away any the phosphorous). She has always liked vegetables. She gets peas, mashed potatoes, cooked white rice, pasta, cereals. Things that have a low amount of protein. Seriously, if she doesn't eat, I'm going to try to find something that she will eat NOW, not hold out until she's hungry.
I went through that game years ago, with a cat with urinary problems. He was prescribed a special food (I think it was CD), but refused to eat it. He would just go next door, and eat the Friskies the neighbors put outside for their cats. I decided that I was going to win that war and locked him up in a spare bedroom. After almost of week of him not eating, and losing a lot of weight (from 18 lbs down to 12! He was a big cat, not fat.), I decided that he had won that battle. I asked the vet what I should do, and he said it was okay to feed him canned cat food, but to make sure it was low in ash and taurines. He lived for many years after that.
My point is, I'm going to TRY to feed her what's best for her, but I'm going to feed her whatever she's going to eat. The fact that she's still here three months later means I must be doing something right. Jean
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Post by rockpickerforever on Feb 1, 2013 14:29:38 GMT -5
Thank you, Lee. I was typing when you responded. Yes, I got the kitten on the day she was born, abandoned by her mom. Did the whole bottle feeding thing, wiping, and everything else. I just checked my records, she was 21 years and 3 months. Jean
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Post by gingerkid on Feb 2, 2013 22:41:58 GMT -5
Very sorry to hear about your fur baby, Jean. Hoping you will hear some encouraging news from the vet. I'm sure you are giving her excellent care and attention, and I'm pretty sure she is aware of it, too.
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robsrockshop
has rocks in the head
Member since August 2012
Posts: 715
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Post by robsrockshop on Feb 3, 2013 8:59:17 GMT -5
That's always a tough one. I lost my 2 best friends this fall. My greatdane Sirboo who was 12 and a my lab Fluffy who was 16. And then my weeney dog checked out shorly after. I had 6 total, I admit it was a bit of work. I recently picked up a stray out in the woods as my bloodhound Waylon was nice enough to bark at her and alert her of our location. Couldn't really leave her there she followed us over 2 miles and back to the car and jumped right in and there are no other houses around. She hadn't been out long she was still fat(not pregnant thank god) and not that hungry.
I like what George Carlin said about animals, that your not really purchasing a pet but a small tragedy.
This should cheer you up momentarily if you haven't seen it yet:
I nearly peed my pants watching that.
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Post by drocknut on Feb 3, 2013 10:46:09 GMT -5
So sad about your fur baby but she sounds like she is in the best of hands. I had the honor of meeting her in Quartzsite this year and she is definitely a sweetheart. I lost my dog Bunny about 4 years ago and it took until just this year to get another one. Prayers and hugs to you.
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