Chronic kidney failure - what now?

[peanutbutterdog]

Hi, we have a 14 yo whippet cross. She had vestibular disease 2 years ago and as a result is now on heart, blood pressure tablets and librella (sp?) injections.

Since last Tuesday, she stopped eating, ate a bit on Wed then stopped again. Took her to vet early Sat who did blood test and confirmed she has stage 1 CKF. Bank holiday here today so have to bring urine sample tomorrow.

Dog, since Saturday, has eaten a few bits of boiled chicken and is refusing to take tablets. I know she's old but we're worried about her. How do we make her eat? What can the vet do to make her eat? What happens now? Anyone with experience of this who can advise me?

Thanks.

Stage 1 is early kidney failure, hopefully this can be controlled with diet, my dog is stage 3/4 and is on a renal diet and medication. My dog is a very picky eater and does not have a huge appetite at the best of times but she has adapted well to the renal diet and medication. There are tablets the vet can give you to stimulate appetite, we had them when my dog was initially diagnosed so might be worth trying them.

I think you have to face the truth. She has given you 14 years of unconditional love, adoration, happy memories, good walks, crazy times and funny moments. It is now time for you to repay that love by recognising that she has probably come to the end of her comfortable life and that it is time for you to hug her, love her and say goodbye. Remember that dogs and cats naturally hide their pain and distress when they are ill, so when you notice it has been going on for some time.

Stage one generally means they can have several good years left with a change in diet and medication @viques - certainly no need to say goodbye yet if the dog can get her appetite back, though I do understand your point.

A dog that's otherwise healthy and happy with stage one kidney disease doesn't need to be PTS. If it were stage four being diagnosed and the dog was unhappy it would be a different story.

Kidney disease makes the dogs feel very sick so if your vet can help with that, and you get on the correct diet your dog will feel much better. Many dogs live appily with stage 1 kidney disease.

Hi, thanks for your help. She is currently at the vet having fluid therapy. Turns out after another blood and urine test she is in later stage 2 and it is progressing quickly. She had a urine test 2 months ago with no signs. We will see how she responds to this treatment - if she can't rally or she deteriorates too quickly, we will make the decision to let her go as we don't want her to suffer.

My dog is stage 3/4 diagnosed 7 months ago, I don’t know how long she has left but she is living a contented happy pain free life at the moment, she has not needed fluid therapy and I’m surprised at stage 1 or 2 that your dog needs it, as I understand it fluid therapy is only needed in the very late stages of kidney failure according to my vet.