Pain and suffering... - YorkieTalk.com Forums

143julz · 10-27-2008, 04:33 PM

I would like to ask anyone who is going through kidney failure or has lost a baby to kidney failure this....Are there signs of pain or suffering that you see in your yorkie?
I am curious how will you tell or when will you know when "it's time" is it something they would just "cross the bridge" in their sleep or would you have to take the step and do?
Julz is such a trooper that i really don't know if she would make it known to me if she was in pain or suffering. Are there signs with Kidney disease? I never had a dog long enough to experience the loss of one and what to look for, i just don't want her to suffer and i don't want to be selfish either....
This is a hard for me but i really don't the answer to...Thanks

stovesj · 10-27-2008, 05:01 PM

I'm so sorry you are going through this. It's a difficult situation. We went through this with our Sheltie and it was torture on us. We had taken her to our vet several times for treatment but in the end she was so weak and wouldn't eat at all. We tried everything, including going the grocery store several times a day desperate to find anything she would eat. We tried wet dog food, yogurt, baby food, rice, eggs. Nothing appealed to her. In the end we went back to the vet and she told me "it was time". I knew that in my heart but just didn't want to face it. When the time comes you will know and will make the best decision for your baby.

143julz · 10-28-2008, 07:53 AM

So maybe a sign of not eating and weakness? we're struggling with eating but have found she likes cream of wheat in the morning and pasta and boiled chicken for lunch and dinner.
Intresting find for us....Since we were instructed to start SQ everyday now, this morning was the first in about 10 days or so that she wouldn't eat. Last night her treatment(SQ) didnt go so well and she didn't get the full amount. So we gave her the treatment and and about an hour later she was interested in eating and ate ALL her breakfast.....is that related to her getting her SQ, or am i pulling at strings?

IlovePepper · 10-28-2008, 09:49 AM

As far as pain goes, I don't believe Pepper was ever in pain. I know she didn't feel well, and the last few days she just lay curled up on the couch. The very last day she didn't even look at us, but kept her head tucked behind a throw pillow. We could pick her up and she did not seem to have any discomfort with that.

As far as knowing when the time is right and helping your pup if necessary, you will really know when if it comes to that. I didn't think it would be possible to know when the vet suggested that I take Pepper home and let her tell me when she was ready. But she did let me know, and I knew that it was the right decision. There was no way that she was going to get better and her quality of life was gone. She had completely stopped eating and drinking and going to the bathroom.

I think you still have hope, she is still eating, which is a very good sign. Keep your hopes up! I will keep praying for you both.

Wendy

xmasbaby75 · 10-28-2008, 09:57 AM

I am so sorry you are going through this. I went through this with an 11 yr old yorkie (years ago) and it was a very difficult time. We were giving her the SQ fluids so often she would just come and get into position for it.

We finally knew it was time to let her go when she started having these seizures. They became worse and worse until finally she could barely move, and we had to have her put down. I couldn't see her suffering any longer.

Patti · 10-28-2008, 09:59 AM

My little Dixie had congenital kidney failure and went down hill very fast, One day she was ok then the next she wouldn't eat, her breath was so bad I had to sleep with a perfumed cloth on my pillow to try and block out the smell as I couldn't not let her sleep on the bed. She kept doing this thing with her mouth and when the specialist saw her the day I had to put her to sleep, he said that was from the bad nausea the uremic posioning as was her horrible breath. She was put down a week after she was started on meds. While I don't think she was in pain the nausea had to be so bad. If I had known I would have sent her to the Rainbow Bridge 2 days earlier. I thought she would get better on the medicines. She was 7 months old. Myheart goes out to you.

143julz · 10-28-2008, 12:33 PM

Thanks for your replies...

Patti- you mentioned the smell and the thing she would do with her mouth.- I noticed she licks alot at nothing, like trying to clear her mouth and there's nothign in there, and i noticed her breath has a very distinct smell too. I've noticed that smell before when her BUN levels were elevated....You mentioned the uremic toxins.....could that be what it is???? Was your baby on Azdoyl? another YT member posted that Azdoyl will help with the uremic levels???? It just so happened that I orderd some today.
I know she can't have bad breath becaseu of her teeth, she just had a cleaning and 10 removed about 2 weeks ago. Interesting

IlovePepper · 10-28-2008, 01:22 PM

The bad breath is part of the disease. I would notice that when Pepper's levels went up (BUN, Creatinine) her breath would get worse. It's not doggy breath, but a distinct bad breath.

Patti · 10-28-2008, 02:06 PM

Yes the bad breath is from the uremic posioning and it is very distict and strong. That's exactly what she did with her mouth too. Her Bun was over 600 the day I had to put her to sleep.

ltret0294 · 10-28-2008, 02:23 PM

Harley also went very fast with kidney failure. No bad breath, just very high kidney values/BUN. He was on fluids for 2 days and when that did not lower his values any I had to make that difficult decision(first time in 57yrs). Little DJ had many kidney/liver problems and was protein loss ,GN-glounerii allowing protein lose into the stomach cavity. 2X Enalapril helped for several months but DJ died a week after Harley. Your little one will tell you with their eyes. Give them all the love you can.

Missiemiss · 10-28-2008, 03:09 PM

I lost my baby Roscoe in June to Kidney disease. He was 8.

The bad breath is one thing to "smell" for. The end of his tongue started turning white. He lacked energy and even tried to eat.

I had him on my bed one night as I was very upset that I was going to lose him. I laid with him and just cried and cried. He came up to me, slowly and snuggled in with me and I continued to cry. He just wanted to be so close. I wiped my tears and looked into his brown eyes and he talked to me. He didn't talk but his eyes told me that it was time. He told me he was so tired and he wasn't going to get better and I knew.

I took him in to the vet the next day and we ran tests - his numbers were off the charts. I called my family home and told them about our little Roscoe. All of them came home to be with him. We were there when the Vet injected him. We cried and loved him all the way until he crossed to the Rainbow Bridge. I knew he was there because his eyes were completely dialated. I knew at that point he had energy again and the love of a strong and healthy body.

I still cry, and am even as I type this. Each day I am outside with the other pups I go to his stone and tell him how much I love him and how much we miss him.

RIP my little Roscoe.

I know it's painful for you. I truly believe that our babies tell us when it is time. That was the 2nd Yorkie that I assisted - the first one was full of cancer at 16 years old. It will never get easy and with the kind of love they give me, I wouldn't want it to be.

Sorry this got so long.

143julz · 10-28-2008, 04:10 PM

Hello Friends

Well this evening Julz was not interested in eating, much like this morning. I put two kinds of cooked meals in front of her and nothing. So i decided to give SQ (50ml), i just finished it so now she is in bed with a blanket she gets the chills after SQ. So in an hour I'll try her food once again, this morning she ate after SQ so fingers are crossed she will me again tonight.
I agree with the breath smell....It is present and it's one I've noticed before with elevated numbers.
Her BUN was 210 when blood was drawn last Sat. so i wonder what it is now, i don't recall teh smell then so i wonder if it's higher

143julz · 10-28-2008, 04:16 PM

I'm so sorry for your loss, i know how hard it must be for you....I cry all the time now and i just know the end is near, i feel it inside.
I know i would want another yorkie soon, but i feel i would be comparing to my Julz and it wouldn't be fair. I know Julz adn god will guide me when the time is right. How long before you got your new pups?

=Missiemiss;2303189]I lost my baby Roscoe in June to Kidney disease. He was 8.

The bad breath is one thing to "smell" for. The end of his tongue started turning white. He lacked energy and even tried to eat.

I had him on my bed one night as I was very upset that I was going to lose him. I laid with him and just cried and cried. He came up to me, slowly and snuggled in with me and I continued to cry. He just wanted to be so close. I wiped my tears and looked into his brown eyes and he talked to me. He didn't talk but his eyes told me that it was time. He told me he was so tired and he wasn't going to get better and I knew.

I took him in to the vet the next day and we ran tests - his numbers were off the charts. I called my family home and told them about our little Roscoe. All of them came home to be with him. We were there when the Vet injected him. We cried and loved him all the way until he crossed to the Rainbow Bridge. I knew he was there because his eyes were completely dialated. I knew at that point he had energy again and the love of a strong and healthy body.

I still cry, and am even as I type this. Each day I am outside with the other pups I go to his stone and tell him how much I love him and how much we miss him.

RIP my little Roscoe.

I know it's painful for you. I truly believe that our babies tell us when it is time. That was the 2nd Yorkie that I assisted - the first one was full of cancer at 16 years old. It will never get easy and with the kind of love they give me, I wouldn't want it to be.

Sorry this got so long.[/quote]

143julz · 10-28-2008, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patti

Yes the bad breath is from the uremic posioning and it is very distict and strong. That's exactly what she did with her mouth too. Her Bun was over 600 the day I had to put her to sleep.

Oh my a BUN of 600, how long was it elevated for, do you know? It seems like the past 1 1/2 years she has never been below 40 and we have been "ok" until Sept and things haven't been the same since... That's really high. Do you recall teh highest the Creatinine was? Julz is 3.8, pretty high too....

Lisa and Pic · 10-28-2008, 04:40 PM

I am so sorry about your sweet furbaby.... Tinkerbell, my first Yorkie, had kidney failure at 3 years old. I still cry thinking about her and I really understand what you are going through. I keep her pictures and her ashes in an urn on my dresser. She did let us know when it was time. She did not want to eat or drink and just stayed on our lap.

You commented about thoughts of getting another Yorkie. I felt really guilty in the beginning, when I did this, because I loved Tinkerbell so much. I mourned for a couple of months, then decided that there was room in my heart for another sweet furbaby. After more months, we went to the breeder to pick up Piccolo, and I love her very much, also. Though, I will never forget Tinkerbell, and know I will see her at the Rainbow Bridge.

I know this is such a difficult time for you and you will be in my thoughts and prayers.

10-27-2008, 04:33 PM	#1
143julz Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 1,294	Pain and suffering... I would like to ask anyone who is going through kidney failure or has lost a baby to kidney failure this....Are there signs of pain or suffering that you see in your yorkie? I am curious how will you tell or when will you know when "it's time" is it something they would just "cross the bridge" in their sleep or would you have to take the step and do? Julz is such a trooper that i really don't know if she would make it known to me if she was in pain or suffering. Are there signs with Kidney disease? I never had a dog long enough to experience the loss of one and what to look for, i just don't want her to suffer and i don't want to be selfish either.... This is a hard for me but i really don't the answer to...Thanks __________________ Dudley Doo and Dexter too!!! RIP (12/93-10/08) MY LIL JULZ!!!

10-27-2008, 05:01 PM	#2
stovesj Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Kenmore, Washington Posts: 3,299	I'm so sorry you are going through this. It's a difficult situation. We went through this with our Sheltie and it was torture on us. We had taken her to our vet several times for treatment but in the end she was so weak and wouldn't eat at all. We tried everything, including going the grocery store several times a day desperate to find anything she would eat. We tried wet dog food, yogurt, baby food, rice, eggs. Nothing appealed to her. In the end we went back to the vet and she told me "it was time". I knew that in my heart but just didn't want to face it. When the time comes you will know and will make the best decision for your baby. __________________ JoanneGracie and Izzy Wag More...Bark Less

10-28-2008, 07:53 AM	#3
143julz Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 1,294	So maybe a sign of not eating and weakness? we're struggling with eating but have found she likes cream of wheat in the morning and pasta and boiled chicken for lunch and dinner. Intresting find for us....Since we were instructed to start SQ everyday now, this morning was the first in about 10 days or so that she wouldn't eat. Last night her treatment(SQ) didnt go so well and she didn't get the full amount. So we gave her the treatment and and about an hour later she was interested in eating and ate ALL her breakfast.....is that related to her getting her SQ, or am i pulling at strings? __________________ Dudley Doo and Dexter too!!! RIP (12/93-10/08) MY LIL JULZ!!!

10-28-2008, 09:57 AM	#5
xmasbaby75 YT Graphic Artist Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: RI Posts: 9,607 Blog Entries: 2	I am so sorry you are going through this. I went through this with an 11 yr old yorkie (years ago) and it was a very difficult time. We were giving her the SQ fluids so often she would just come and get into position for it. We finally knew it was time to let her go when she started having these seizures. They became worse and worse until finally she could barely move, and we had to have her put down. I couldn't see her suffering any longer. __________________ Shadow Dancer (RIP) , Gellica, Li'l Sapphire, Phantom, & Brandi Blu (RIP)

10-28-2008, 09:59 AM	#6
Patti Donating YT 30K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 35,509 Blog Entries: 6	My little Dixie had congenital kidney failure and went down hill very fast, One day she was ok then the next she wouldn't eat, her breath was so bad I had to sleep with a perfumed cloth on my pillow to try and block out the smell as I couldn't not let her sleep on the bed. She kept doing this thing with her mouth and when the specialist saw her the day I had to put her to sleep, he said that was from the bad nausea the uremic posioning as was her horrible breath. She was put down a week after she was started on meds. While I don't think she was in pain the nausea had to be so bad. If I had known I would have sent her to the Rainbow Bridge 2 days earlier. I thought she would get better on the medicines. She was 7 months old. Myheart goes out to you. __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

10-28-2008, 09:49 AM	#4
IlovePepper Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Riverdale, NJ USA Posts: 38	As far as pain goes, I don't believe Pepper was ever in pain. I know she didn't feel well, and the last few days she just lay curled up on the couch. The very last day she didn't even look at us, but kept her head tucked behind a throw pillow. We could pick her up and she did not seem to have any discomfort with that. As far as knowing when the time is right and helping your pup if necessary, you will really know when if it comes to that. I didn't think it would be possible to know when the vet suggested that I take Pepper home and let her tell me when she was ready. But she did let me know, and I knew that it was the right decision. There was no way that she was going to get better and her quality of life was gone. She had completely stopped eating and drinking and going to the bathroom. I think you still have hope, she is still eating, which is a very good sign. Keep your hopes up! I will keep praying for you both. Wendy

10-28-2008, 12:33 PM	#7
143julz Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 1,294	Thanks for your replies... Patti- you mentioned the smell and the thing she would do with her mouth.- I noticed she licks alot at nothing, like trying to clear her mouth and there's nothign in there, and i noticed her breath has a very distinct smell too. I've noticed that smell before when her BUN levels were elevated....You mentioned the uremic toxins.....could that be what it is???? Was your baby on Azdoyl? another YT member posted that Azdoyl will help with the uremic levels???? It just so happened that I orderd some today. I know she can't have bad breath becaseu of her teeth, she just had a cleaning and 10 removed about 2 weeks ago. Interesting __________________ Dudley Doo and Dexter too!!! RIP (12/93-10/08) MY LIL JULZ!!!

10-28-2008, 01:22 PM	#8
IlovePepper Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Riverdale, NJ USA Posts: 38	Bad Breath The bad breath is part of the disease. I would notice that when Pepper's levels went up (BUN, Creatinine) her breath would get worse. It's not doggy breath, but a distinct bad breath.

10-28-2008, 02:06 PM	#9
Patti Donating YT 30K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 35,509 Blog Entries: 6	Yes the bad breath is from the uremic posioning and it is very distict and strong. That's exactly what she did with her mouth too. Her Bun was over 600 the day I had to put her to sleep. __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

10-28-2008, 02:23 PM	#10
ltret0294 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Satellite Beach, FL Posts: 838	Harley also went very fast with kidney failure. No bad breath, just very high kidney values/BUN. He was on fluids for 2 days and when that did not lower his values any I had to make that difficult decision(first time in 57yrs). Little DJ had many kidney/liver problems and was protein loss ,GN-glounerii allowing protein lose into the stomach cavity. 2X Enalapril helped for several months but DJ died a week after Harley. Your little one will tell you with their eyes. Give them all the love you can.

10-28-2008, 03:09 PM	#11
Missiemiss Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Iowa Posts: 651	I lost my baby Roscoe in June to Kidney disease. He was 8. The bad breath is one thing to "smell" for. The end of his tongue started turning white. He lacked energy and even tried to eat. I had him on my bed one night as I was very upset that I was going to lose him. I laid with him and just cried and cried. He came up to me, slowly and snuggled in with me and I continued to cry. He just wanted to be so close. I wiped my tears and looked into his brown eyes and he talked to me. He didn't talk but his eyes told me that it was time. He told me he was so tired and he wasn't going to get better and I knew. I took him in to the vet the next day and we ran tests - his numbers were off the charts. I called my family home and told them about our little Roscoe. All of them came home to be with him. We were there when the Vet injected him. We cried and loved him all the way until he crossed to the Rainbow Bridge. I knew he was there because his eyes were completely dialated. I knew at that point he had energy again and the love of a strong and healthy body. I still cry, and am even as I type this. Each day I am outside with the other pups I go to his stone and tell him how much I love him and how much we miss him. RIP my little Roscoe. I know it's painful for you. I truly believe that our babies tell us when it is time. That was the 2nd Yorkie that I assisted - the first one was full of cancer at 16 years old. It will never get easy and with the kind of love they give me, I wouldn't want it to be. Sorry this got so long. __________________ Gracie Froto Blair and RIP Bear-Bear 12/31/08 & RIP Roscoe 06/12/08 Free Samples! All-Natural, High-quality Pet food for your Furbaby! http://www.trilogyonline.com/missiemiss

10-28-2008, 04:10 PM	#12
143julz Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 1,294	Hello Friends Well this evening Julz was not interested in eating, much like this morning. I put two kinds of cooked meals in front of her and nothing. So i decided to give SQ (50ml), i just finished it so now she is in bed with a blanket she gets the chills after SQ. So in an hour I'll try her food once again, this morning she ate after SQ so fingers are crossed she will me again tonight. I agree with the breath smell....It is present and it's one I've noticed before with elevated numbers. Her BUN was 210 when blood was drawn last Sat. so i wonder what it is now, i don't recall teh smell then so i wonder if it's higher __________________ Dudley Doo and Dexter too!!! RIP (12/93-10/08) MY LIL JULZ!!!

10-28-2008, 04:16 PM	#13
143julz Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 1,294	I'm so sorry for your loss, i know how hard it must be for you....I cry all the time now and i just know the end is near, i feel it inside. I know i would want another yorkie soon, but i feel i would be comparing to my Julz and it wouldn't be fair. I know Julz adn god will guide me when the time is right. How long before you got your new pups? =Missiemiss;2303189]I lost my baby Roscoe in June to Kidney disease. He was 8. The bad breath is one thing to "smell" for. The end of his tongue started turning white. He lacked energy and even tried to eat. I had him on my bed one night as I was very upset that I was going to lose him. I laid with him and just cried and cried. He came up to me, slowly and snuggled in with me and I continued to cry. He just wanted to be so close. I wiped my tears and looked into his brown eyes and he talked to me. He didn't talk but his eyes told me that it was time. He told me he was so tired and he wasn't going to get better and I knew. I took him in to the vet the next day and we ran tests - his numbers were off the charts. I called my family home and told them about our little Roscoe. All of them came home to be with him. We were there when the Vet injected him. We cried and loved him all the way until he crossed to the Rainbow Bridge. I knew he was there because his eyes were completely dialated. I knew at that point he had energy again and the love of a strong and healthy body. I still cry, and am even as I type this. Each day I am outside with the other pups I go to his stone and tell him how much I love him and how much we miss him. RIP my little Roscoe. I know it's painful for you. I truly believe that our babies tell us when it is time. That was the 2nd Yorkie that I assisted - the first one was full of cancer at 16 years old. It will never get easy and with the kind of love they give me, I wouldn't want it to be. Sorry this got so long.[/quote] __________________ Dudley Doo and Dexter too!!! RIP (12/93-10/08) MY LIL JULZ!!!

10-28-2008, 04:40 PM	#15
Lisa and Pic ♥ Piccolo & Vivi ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 14,311	I am so sorry about your sweet furbaby.... Tinkerbell, my first Yorkie, had kidney failure at 3 years old. I still cry thinking about her and I really understand what you are going through. I keep her pictures and her ashes in an urn on my dresser. She did let us know when it was time. She did not want to eat or drink and just stayed on our lap. You commented about thoughts of getting another Yorkie. I felt really guilty in the beginning, when I did this, because I loved Tinkerbell so much. I mourned for a couple of months, then decided that there was room in my heart for another sweet furbaby. After more months, we went to the breeder to pick up Piccolo, and I love her very much, also. Though, I will never forget Tinkerbell, and know I will see her at the Rainbow Bridge. I know this is such a difficult time for you and you will be in my thoughts and prayers. __________________ Lisa, Dixie, and Jazzy (RIP Piccolo and Vivi)