My dog has kidney failure and is resisting care. Is it time for euthanasia?

I don't really have any insight into his lab work without being able to see the results, but it sounds like you're not ready to consider euthanasia. You may want to ask your vet if there's anything else that can be done for Baxter - depending on the cause of the kidney failure he might benefit from more intensive 24 hour care at a specialty hospital. Since he is still eating and drinking you could also ask about hospice care - he may be comfortable for a little while longer with fluids at home. At some point it sounds like you will need to make a decision regarding euthanasia - these links might help: https://www.petcoach.co/article/the-decision-of-euthanizing-your-pet/ https://www.ahelpproject.org/ https://www.iaahpc.org/images/BarkArticleSpring2014Goldberg

Poor girl. I would certainly consider at least getting her checked again and fluid therapy (IV or subcutaneously). If her values are not too bad, she may be able to be managed at home with subcutaneous fluids that you yourself give. That is if you are up to the task. Also I am not sure if she is on a prescription kidney diet. If not, then she needs to be transitioned right away. The vet can also prescribe some anti-nausea medication for her to help with her condition. And lastly, I would highly recommend a supplement called Azodyl, which is a natural way to help lower your pets kidney enzymes. Their toxic levels in the bloodstream are directly correlated with how sick your pet will feel, so focusing on lowering these values can improve your pets condition greatly. Here is a website link with more kidney therapy options --> https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952670 I hope that these additional treatment suggestions help Chloe stabilize and perhaps hold off the euthanasia talks for a while. Best of luck moving fowrard and take care. : )

Poor baby. Kidney failure is usually pretty bad news in dogs. The usual treatment is hospitalization for IV fluids to lower kidney values (since high kidney values make animals feel crappy) and treatment for whatever associated complications an animal has (such as nausea or anemia). Early in the disease, food changes and at home fluids can help. You mentioned that Priscilla has already been hospitalized for two days, so I'm going to assume she has two days of aggressive fluids and her kidney values haven't gone down. If you don't believe in euthanasia than I'd say you need to find a veterinarian who practices hospice in your area. A Google search should turn up an opinion or two. In your own, there isn't much you can do. I will warn you that kidney disease often ends in euthanasia because at the end stages it causes severe nausea, vomiting, severe weight loss, ulcers in the mouth, severe dehydration (even though they are drinking a lot, it just goes right through them). So it's not a good way to go without really really aggressive support from a local hospice vet. I'm so sorry and you are Priscilla are going through this. You'll be in my thoughts.

Hello, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I'm sorry to hear about Leo. The most important part of treatment when an animal has kidney failure is to give adequate fluids. It would be best to keep Leo at the vet to stay on IV fluids until his creatinine comes down - if the kidneys are not receiving adequate fluids, you are not likely to get him to improve. If you must have him home, then ask your vet if they would be comfortable teaching you how to give subcutaneous fluids at home (injecting an appropriate amount of saline under the skin) to help him stay hydrated and keep flushing his kidneys. If he is eating, then you can add extra water to his food to encourage more fluid intake. However, if he's not eating, he REALLY needs to continue getting fluids, either intravenously at the vet or subcutaneously at home. If neither of these is an option, and he's not eating, then unfortunately euthanasia should be considered. I hope this helps, and again I'm sorry Leo isn't doing well.

I think it is too early to think about euthanasia, however Bucky does need to see a vet/emergency vet again today. He will need to be put on fluids again the very least. Have a talk with the vet about his condition, ask what the chances of him having a good quality of life are and then this will make your decision based on facts rather than feelings. Sometimes it takes a while for a dog to get better and in the meantime we think he is suffering terribly. But there may be a chance to recuperate.

I am sorry to hear that Memi is so sick. You may want to discuss doing subcutaneous fluids at home with your veterinarian. Also anti nausea medication such as cerenia can also be helpful and appetite stimulants if needed as well. I hope you have some good quality time left with him. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.

Greetings. First, I'd like to say how very sorry I am for your loss. I know how hard it is to say goodbye to a pet, especially when we can never be sure what they're thinking or feeling. At 15 years old, it sounds like Rocky had a wonderful, long life with you. Without knowing his exact history, I'm afraid I won't be able to tell you a whole lot about what he might have experienced specifically, but what I can tell you is that chronic kidney failure is a debilitating, painful disease process that only gets worse with time. With 100% certainty, I can say that if Rocky was exhibiting the classic symptoms of kidney failure and not responding to the suggested treatment, you absolutely made the right decision to let him go. Euthanasia is, of course, and extremely personal and heart-wrenching decision to have to make, but it is, in all regards, the last great gift that we can give our beloved pets. Unfortunately, I can't have a proper back-and-forth discussion with you about Rocky in this particular format, but if at any time you would like to discuss his particular condition in more detail, please feel free to look me or any other of our pet experts up in the Consultation Center for one-on-one guidance. Please try to take comfort in knowing that Rocky can no longer experience any pain or distress from his chronic disease, and that he loved you for giving him the best of his life, and for the great gift of choosing to let him go during the worst of it.