We just found out this weekend that our (almost) 12-year-old dog Alli now has Stage 3 kidney failure. Basically she is operating at 25 percent kidney function and we were told her life expectancy is now months. Her kidney issue was discovered this past summer when she went in to have a cancerous growth removed.
Our Vet has us feeding her a low protein dog food, she gets 20 mg of Pepcid, 10 mL of Aluminum Hydroxide and we will be starting daily subcutaneous fluids this week. We are awaiting results of a protein test and she may be starting another med for that (can't remember the name right now). We also have anti-nausea pills for days when she is throwing up.
She has definitely slowed down in the past several months but I attributed it to old age. She still likes her treats and she still likes to go for walks.
Anyway, I guess I am looking for anyone else who has gone through this with their dog -- even "try this it worked for us" stories. She's 12 and the reality is she won't live forever BUT I want to make her last months on earth as awesome as I can. She's been a great pup.
Our Vet has us feeding her a low protein dog food, she gets 20 mg of Pepcid, 10 mL of Aluminum Hydroxide and we will be starting daily subcutaneous fluids this week. We are awaiting results of a protein test and she may be starting another med for that (can't remember the name right now). We also have anti-nausea pills for days when she is throwing up.
She has definitely slowed down in the past several months but I attributed it to old age. She still likes her treats and she still likes to go for walks.
Anyway, I guess I am looking for anyone else who has gone through this with their dog -- even "try this it worked for us" stories. She's 12 and the reality is she won't live forever BUT I want to make her last months on earth as awesome as I can. She's been a great pup.
No advice, just the understanding of the pain of watching a beloved furry family member decline beyond the help of vet med. Just give her as much love as possible is the best I can recommend.
