Knew it would come one day..

[Marylou62]

Our 13 and a half year old Springer boy has just been diagnosed as having kidney failure..Estimated only 50% of function..In early July he had a collapse and was diagnosed with ? a Vestibular episode..falling over, walking in circles..The vet thinks he's recovered as well as he's going too with his balance..we are trying to keep him calm as he is jumping erratically and slipping and falling over..I'm worried he's going to break something. He had a blood test that showed the failure then..He had had a test about a year ago which was clear..
Only the day before he was so well and people couldn't believe he was 13..He's gone deaf, doesn't seem to understand simple commands..(always so quick to before)and like my DD says..there doesn't seem to be anything behind his eyes and as DS says ..it's like he's lost...
I knew this day would come..the price you pay for loving..
Anyone had a dog in kidney failure? What should we look out for? Did a kidney diet work? (very expensive)..How long do we have left?
Any advice would be appreciated..

I'm so sorry, it's tough isn't it? I have springers too, they are just the best dogs, and 13 and a half is a good age. I have lost springers at a similar age, but not of kidney failure.

In your shoes I'd be thinking that his time has come, especially given what your DC have described. Springers are naturally bouncy and your old boy sounds like he's lost his bounce Think about his quality of life, and also remember that dogs are very good at hiding when they are in pain.

The old saying 'better a day too soon than a week too late' is worth remembering too.

It's such a hard decision, though

Thanks for your kind word Drama..Luckily our DD is a vet nurse (trainee)..We will, as a family never let him suffer..Thing is he hasn't lost his bounce!! He's just jumping and bouncing same as usual but misjudging all the time..making very daft jumps, falling/slipping..
As much as he is a family dog , he's my DHs shadow..God I don't want to think about that..
Compounded by my DM being very poorly..(human version of above)
I feel bad talking about the DDog to anyone else..

I have a Springer too and I concur. Amazing breed ! No advice really apart from make the most of each day you have with your beautiful boy and be there for him when the time comes. Thinking of you and wishing you all the best.

Thankyou Silly..We will.

Our dog had kidney failure - we only noticed when he went for a blood test to see if he could go on long term pain killers for his arthritis. He put him on a kidney diet and he had 6 months where he was the same as always - blood tests every 2 months showed his levels were ok. Then one day he just went off his food and looked very sad - blood test showed his kidneys were really struggling. The vet offered putting him on a drip and flushing his kidneys through, but this would only have postponed the inevitable and he would have been unhappy shut in the cage at the vets while he was on the drip, so we let him go. It was definitely the right time for him.

Sorry to hear you’re going though this with your boy. It can be hard to know what to do for the best.

My sisters JRT x got kidney failure at about 161/2 , the vet advised to pts as he was in a bit of a state and had a very low Hb but she declined due to external factors beyond our control . Anyway they couldn’t do a transfusion because he was too sick so they gave him a steroid injection and a vitamin cocktail injection and basically he plodded I for about 7/8 months having weekly vitamin jabs and steroids every few weeks . He actually improved and did start eating better until the day he really went downhill and I had him pts . I’m sure lots of people would have had him pts quicker but even our vet was amazed at how well he actually did on the regime and did say it would change his approach to future dogs in the same position .

Thanks Letsnot..I definately want to know what to look for..the thought of him suffering is filling me with dread..At the moment he seems quite happy. My DD has bought all the kidney support food..(gets a discount)..hopefully his insurance will pay some of it..13 yrs and £7,000+..but that's another thread!

My dog has just been diagnosed with kidney failure. He had lost weight and was drinking loads and was trembling with muscles spasms but no collapse as yet. Some times when he gets up he looks like he doesn't quite have control of his back legs. Started kidney diet 10 days ago and he seems better - trembling has stopped. It's very sad and at times we've all been sat round the dinner table crying our eyes out. I have come to terms with it a bit now and my only concern is for his welfare, can't bear the thought of him suffering. We will do what we can for now but based on his tests, I think we have 6 months max. 😭

Thanks for that Floral..yes it's such a balancing act..not wanting them to suffer but PTS too early is awful too..
14 yrs ago we had a poorly cat with suspected cancer put down..I still wonder if we did it too soon..

I'm so sorry janey..sounds similar..Haven't let myself cry yet as shed enough for my DM.. Rapid descent into Alzeimers.(sp) S**t time here as also living out of boxes as has a flood in the downstairs loo so ground floor laminate is being replaced..We live near the beach so still enjoying long walks but after such a long time we have to be on the ball because he keeps losing us..It's just so, so sad..

Interestingly my sisters dog had also had a couple of vestibular episodes in the year before his kidney failure but he was never a great one for running about even as a youngster . Most walks you ended up having to carry him whilst his sister ran around like a mad thing .

Here he is

Oh he's gorgeous. I do love a black & white springer

He's almost been the perfect dog.. never chewed, never left the garden even when both gates were open, could open and close doors, had amazing recall..all gone now.
We used to do a party trick where we would put food on his nose and make him wait.(not long, few seconds!)
My DD trained him to give hi 5 and to speak..
Listen to me..talking as if he's gone already..but part of him has..like myDM..sorry everyone ..feeling sad

@Marylou62 so sorry. Must be very hard with your mum Iill as well.

The fact you think the spark behind his eyes has has gone would make me think if he was mine id let him go. He's never going to get better, not really. I think id be preparing to say goodbye.

Thank you everyone.. Lots to think about...

I am also a trainee RVN and have worked in veterinary for many years. I have also lost a dog to kidney failure.

In my experience, animals will often plod along fairly ok for a good long while, especially with the renal diets we have now and medication to prevent nausea. Once their kidneys go past a certain stage of loss of function the end comes quickly.

It sounds like your boy has good quality of life at the present time, that is good news and the renal diet will buy him more of that, but by Christ, its expensive. Some insurance companies will cover the cost of prescription diets, however your DDs discount will be a godsend.

There is a saying in veterinary medicine, "better a week/month too early than a day too late" so please dont feel guilt when you have to make a decision. Loss of interest in food or walks are a good indicator but mist owners get a gut feeling . Its such a difficult time

Thanks LEM.. He's still loving walks and food.. Lost weight so lots of treats... 2 mile walk with DH yesterday.. But will watch out for any of the indicators you have suggested... Thanks everyone again...

Never in a million years did I think it would be this quick.. Kenny is being pts tomorrow at 9am..we are devastated.. We as a family have just had a quick walk on the cliffs.. A rainbow appeared! Kenny then developed the quivering again... In a way I'm glad he did because we were all beginning to doubt our decision.. He'd rallied a little.. But not now.. My Dd is cuddling him and her brothers are watching cricket.. My DH has gone to get ready for a night shift.. Can't believe this time tomorrow he won't be here.. But I keep telling myself it's the last thing we can do for him.. Thanks for listening and think about us at 9am tomorrow... X

Kenny

Very sorry to hear that tomorrow is the day and I’m thinking of you x

So sorry

Beautiful boy

So sorry to read this. Had exactly the same with my dearly loved 14 year old Labrador. She had been my rock through the worst times of my life, but I knew when it was time to let her go. Her collar is still on a shelf in the front room & she has been gone 3 years! You are doing the right thing, however hard it feels. Wish they could live for longer.

Give him all the cuddles and all the best snacks he is not normally allowed tomorrow. So sad and my heart goes out to you.