My little one is dying

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by JamieP

Thank you for the suggestion. That sounds like a wonder drug!!! I will definitely ask her about this. As for the kidney diet, I have no problem giving her what she needs. I was going by what she suggested feeding her. Though I felt it strange, I did what she told me to do thinking I was helping her. I will go get her wet food Hill's (k/d) tomorrow. The good thing is that she is still eating. and she LOVES wet food!!! Thank you again!

Honestly, if I were going to purchase a prescription diet, I would get the Purina NF instead of Hills K/D. I have had two kidney pups and neither liked the K/D, but did like the NF.

Also, I would suggest you follow the link above for the yahoo group! The other person noted that phosphorous is also important...calcium is good to counteract it, but it is good to avoid high phosphorous in food as well.

I did cook for Cody. I had my vet do a consult with the vet nutritionist at Texas A&M. There are others...if you join that group, you will get lots of great information!

[Ringo1]

Oh, I hope you get to spend some wonderful time together doing all her favorite things!

[JamieP]

Originally Posted by manolos mom

This was posted by jp4m2 Post # 9.........DogAware.com Health: Kidney Disease in Dogs

Yes, I have been on this site more than any other site. All of this is just soooo confusing. I keep hearing 'lower protein' and yet, the DogAware site states otherwise. Here is an example of what I read and copied: "Because by-products of protein digestion are the main toxins that need to be excreted by the kidneys, an obvious assumption might be that all one needs to do is to cut out the protein and the kidneys wouldn't have any more hard work to do. . . . There is significant evidence, however, that the daily protein requirements actually increase slightly for dogs in chronic renal failure. Therefore, severely restricting the protein for such a dog is likely to result in protein malnutrition, in spite of the fact that the levels of blood urea nitrogen, or BUN (the primary by-product of protein metabolism) would be correspondingly lower."
Now, that being said.....what am I suppose to do. Give her the chicken, don't give her the chicken. I've read also that taking protein from them causes even more muscle loss than what they already are losing due to this disease, and that it should NOT be taken completely. The only thing that I do know about chicken is that it is easier to digest for them than any other meat so it's not so hard on the kidneys. That is what my vet told me. I don't know. It seems the more I read, the more conflicting articles can become and the more confused I get!!!! Ughhhhhhhh!

[JamieP]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Honestly, if I were going to purchase a prescription diet, I would get the Purina NF instead of Hills K/D. I have had two kidney pups and neither liked the K/D, but did like the NF.

Also, I would suggest you follow the link above for the yahoo group! The other person noted that phosphorous is also important...calcium is good to counteract it, but it is good to avoid high phosphorous in food as well.

I did cook for Cody. I had my vet do a consult with the vet nutritionist at Texas A&M. There are others...if you join that group, you will get lots of great information!

Yes, I did read about the phosphorous and the calcium as well and the yahoo group is a great idea. Thank you so much! I'm meeting up with my vet the 1st part of next week.....probably Monday if I can get in. I need to find out how much of the supplements she needs to be on. I read that there are an abundant amount of supplements that would do her a tremendous amount of good right now, but when I asked the vet about it she said that tho all of those were good and what she needs, she fears having too much work on the kidneys because it all has to filter thru them. I do have her on Omega 3 and CoQ10. she told me she needs iron but too much of that can be toxic to her and I need to find out the correct dosage before I attempt that.

[JamieP]

Originally Posted by Ringo1

Oh, I hope you get to spend some wonderful time together doing all her favorite things!

Thank you! Me tooooo!

[JamieP]

Originally Posted by blufshbaby

I am so happy to hear your baby is home and that she has perked up, I had such a big smile on my face when you said she was running around the Vets office .. you will both be in my prayers.. ~~~~~~HUGS~~~~~~
Isabella and her Mom

That's so sweet!!! Thank you very much!!

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by JamieP

Yes, I have been on this site more than any other site. All of this is just soooo confusing. I keep hearing 'lower protein' and yet, the DogAware site states otherwise. Here is an example of what I read and copied: "Because by-products of protein digestion are the main toxins that need to be excreted by the kidneys, an obvious assumption might be that all one needs to do is to cut out the protein and the kidneys wouldn't have any more hard work to do. . . . There is significant evidence, however, that the daily protein requirements actually increase slightly for dogs in chronic renal failure. Therefore, severely restricting the protein for such a dog is likely to result in protein malnutrition, in spite of the fact that the levels of blood urea nitrogen, or BUN (the primary by-product of protein metabolism) would be correspondingly lower."
Now, that being said.....what am I suppose to do. Give her the chicken, don't give her the chicken. I've read also that taking protein from them causes even more muscle loss than what they already are losing due to this disease, and that it should NOT be taken completely. The only thing that I do know about chicken is that it is easier to digest for them than any other meat so it's not so hard on the kidneys. That is what my vet told me. I don't know. It seems the more I read, the more conflicting articles can become and the more confused I get!!!! Ughhhhhhhh!

Honestly, I believe in the prescription diets. I kept two dogs alive for years...Cody had renal failure for four years and was on Purina NF until the last six months of his life. At that point he had pancreatic issues so the NF was not good for that. Another one, my Sassy, also was on NF for many years. If you plan to home cook, I definitely feel a nutritionist should be consulted. You do not cut protein out completely .. it is the amount.

[chestermama]

sending you yorkie hugs and thinking of you

[107barney]

Hi Jamie
I am glad that your baby has had a little turn around. I hope this continues to go in the direction we are all hoping and that she makes a full recovery.

I concur that the diet is of the utmost importance. We use well respected vet nutritionist Dr. Remillard at Angell Memorial/MSPCA in Boston. She has greatly improved the quality of my 10 year old dog Daisy's life by formulating a diet for her. We also used her when Barney had his second bout of life threatening pancreatitis caused by eating a particular super premium dog food and we plan to use her for Teddy as he has had some urinary conditions since early puppy hood. We use her diets in conjunction with the all-in-one supplement "Balance It." I think the balance it easier - just my opinion having cooked for my dogs for the vast majority of their lives - than doing individual supplementation.

Whatever you decide for your baby, you have our well wishes for a happy outcome!!

[JamieP]

Originally Posted by brownminerva

Hello Dear Jamie:
How I feel for you and your little one, I have been there with my Nik and understand only too well how you are both suffering with this disease.
It is great that she is home with you and that the prognosis is good. The under-skin hydration is probably harder on you than the pet. My Nik improved immediately after hydration, but like you are finding, they can soon slip back into lethargy. This can happen so don't get upset.
We pray that the hydration-at-home therapy helps your baby to live a mostly happy life and that the good times far outweigh the bad times.
Praying for you and wishing you a happy outcome.
God Bless!

This was such a very nice message that you sent me, and how very well you dooooo understand. The thing with me is that I have never lost an animal....ever! and my little fur-babies are like my children....as they are to all of you I'm sure. So this, what I'm going thru is one of the toughest things I've had to deal with. Pain in my heart that is so great that it takes my breath. And she isn't gone yet!!!! Imagine when she does finally go!!! I can only hope and pray to God above that I find peace before that day comes. That she will tell me when she is ready and I'll be at peace to let her go. I'm bawling as I type this just thinking about how sad that day will be.

I agree about the hydration therapy. It'll be good for her. Tough on me but great for her. I'm anxious to learn about it and get her going on it. I read an article about it and know what it consists of (Gack!! Needles!!!!) but I'll do it for her. Whatever it takes!
Thank you so much for the kind message. God bless you!

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by JamieP

No she's the one that suggested the chicken and rice!!!!! Ughhh! See, I'm trying to do what she asked me to do. These are the mistakes I don't need to make right now. She told me chicken and rice. Chicken breasts boiled and rice. She said that she needs to eat and keep the food on her stomach, and that her food intake is more important that the food going in. She told me I could put her on a wet food if I wanted, just whatever I wanted to give her as long as she was getting an adequate amount of fluids. I wanted to get her home and and get her eating and figured tomorrow that I would go after some Hill's k/d. This is where I need help and advice from anyone that knows and can give it to me. I asked if she tested her again and she said no. So.... By the time I got her, they were closing for the day sothere was no way to get the tests then... FRUSTRATING!!!

If your vet said chicken and rice, there may be a reason. I would not stop until I spoke with her about it. Just ask her for an explanation...I am sure she will be happy to explain it. Did she say how much chicken and how much rice? If not...maybe ask about that as well.

[brownminerva]

Hello again Jamie:
Giving the water shot sounds bad, but the little dogs seem not to mind as they know you are trying to help them. My Nik used to stand so pitifully quiet in the deep sink as we administered the injection and hydrated her, just taking it - as we cried for her.
It was our first dog and we had her for 6 wonderfully happy years. (We adopted her at 5 and she went to doggie heaven at 11.5 yrs.) She was the perfect dog and was with us all the time, we were devastated when this illness got to her so suddenly, and after 18 months the pain is still here with us.
The tears are coming to me now as I think of my poor little Nik and what she went through. Although it was so very hard to make that fateful decision, we had to do it as she was so uncomfortable and so NOT enjoying her little life. We could not watch her like that any longer.
You will know when the time comes, but we pray that for you it will be a long time from now.
Although we go through such pain while they are going through this sickness, I am sorry to say that peace did not come for me when she passed away. There was immediate relief as she was not in pain any more, but soon after the shock wore off and the reality of her being GONE hit us. The house was empty and life seemed pointless without her. But time does heal.
But enough of my pain, we must look on the bright side for your little baby and hope she will enjoy life for many years to come. All you can do is your best for her, and I can see you are a very devoted and loving petlover and will see that she is made as comfortable as is possible.
So hang in there and enjoy her all you can, and try and forget what sadness might come in the future. Dogs only think of today and I wish we humans could think likewise.
With prayers and good wishes for you all.
Please keep coming to this room and sharing your feelings with understanding people, it does help.
God Bless!

[manolos mom]

Originally Posted by brownminerva

Hello again Jamie:
Giving the water shot sounds bad, but the little dogs seem not to mind as they know you are trying to help them. My Nik used to stand so pitifully quiet in the deep sink as we administered the injection and hydrated her, just taking it - as we cried for her.
It was our first dog and we had her for 6 wonderfully happy years. (We adopted her at 5 and she went to doggie heaven at 11.5 yrs.) She was the perfect dog and was with us all the time, we were devastated when this illness got to her so suddenly, and after 18 months the pain is still here with us.
The tears are coming to me now as I think of my poor little Nik and what she went through. Although it was so very hard to make that fateful decision, we had to do it as she was so uncomfortable and so NOT enjoying her little life. We could not watch her like that any longer.
You will know when the time comes, but we pray that for you it will be a long time from now.
Although we go through such pain while they are going through this sickness, I am sorry to say that peace did not come for me when she passed away. There was immediate relief as she was not in pain any more, but soon after the shock wore off and the reality of her being GONE hit us. The house was empty and life seemed pointless without her. But time does heal.
But enough of my pain, we must look on the bright side for your little baby and hope she will enjoy life for many years to come. All you can do is your best for her, and I can see you are a very devoted and loving petlover and will see that she is made as comfortable as is possible.
So hang in there and enjoy her all you can, and try and forget what sadness might come in the future. Dogs only think of today and I wish we humans could think likewise.
With prayers and good wishes for you all.
Please keep coming to this room and sharing your feelings with understanding people, it does help.
God Bless!

What a Beautiful Post

[brownminerva]

Thank you Manolos Mom:

[saphire]

I am so pleased for you that you get to spend some more time with her.
I know you will make the most of it.
God Bless you and your little girl.
Sending more prayers and hugs.