I haven't been here in a few years, but I'm asking for prayers yet again. Yesterday, my dog, Keesha, was diagnosed with kidney failure. Keesha is 15 (at least - I rescued her off the street in '95), and I noticed Monday that she wasn't eating, and she was drinking a lot of water. I knew those were signs of kidney failure, especially considering her age, so I took her to the vet yesterday. They gave her subcutaneous fluids, an injection for nausea, and ran bloodwork. The vet called this morning and told me it is kidney failure.

Vets make me so angry, because I feel like I can never get a straight answer out of them. I don't know if Keesha is actively dying, or if this is a "chronic" thing and she can be around for another six months! It is so infuriating. Keesha ate last night, and this morning, and she's still "here" if you know what I mean - we've had plenty of dogs that we just knew they were ready to go, and she doesn't look like that, but I know that time is short.

I guess, if you wouldn't mind, and if you're so inclined, would you please say a prayer for strength for me? This is our tenth dog death in 10 years (all due to old age except Phoenix died of mega-esophagus at 10 years (she's my avatar), and Pepper died of hemaniosarcoma at 14 years), and Keesha is the last of my rescued furbabies. She has gotten me through a lot, and now I'm going to lose her too. Her picture is below.

Thank you and God bless to all of us who are grieving our lost furbabies. I'm so tired of grief.

dear jan,

so sorry you are going thru this hard time. what a beautiful little girl keesha is. you and keesha are in my prayers.
god bless.
patricia

What a beautiful dog, Keesha is. I am so sorry for the news. Trust me when I tell you that vets are no different than doctors about getting straight answers. I won't leave their office untiil they completely answer my questions. In fact, I demand it. Sometimes they don't like it and sometimes they are o.k. with it but point being, that's their job. I would have a heart to heart with your vet at you earliest convenience. I think this is all hard enough anyway but the unknown is worse. You need to know what you and Keesha are up against. I am praying for you right now and will continue to I promise. I'm glad you came back to this site. We will all help you through. Keep the faith.
Melanie

I will be wishing and praying for strenght for you and your dog..
If I were you, I wouldn't really jump the gun yet, had that been Ceaser, I woul do all I could to make him comfortable and then I would look into what is really happening......
If 6 months is all she has...that is still a long time to take pics, bond, talk with and spend more quality time with. 6 months can be a long time....and is worth it to me.....as long as she is not in serious pain and that you can keep her failry comfortable with meds and other medical need at home, since you know your dog and you can tell that she is still "there"...then i would try to keep her comfy at home with close care ... should she get into severe discomfort then yes...but I would make the best of the last 6 months... In other words...I wouldn't put her down yet.....if that is what the vet is suggesting? I hope this is not coming across the wrong way but I am trying to be more posititve about it...sometimes positive energy CAN give out a better vibe and make the animal feel better even if it means just for a short while.

hang in there!

Rita

God is positive energy....he will bless you and your dog...my Ceaser passed in pain and so qucik...I wish I had 6 months or even an month!.
He died of acute peritonitis and pancreatitis....we prayed on the way to the vet in the car...and he hung in there until I reached him then he passed!
He waited for me and even the Vet agreed on that...even though they cannot get emotional with patients....she agreed that Ceaser waitied...sorry rambling on...I am also in grief....this site really helps me!

Im very sorry ,i do hope it goes well and hoping for the best ,its sure not easy thats for sure that feeling of not knowing how much time ,but knowing that shes getting fluids is good ,and may take some time for her to get better ,hope it ggoes well again THNAKS JAY

Dear Jan,

I'm so sorry about this bad news about Keesha and I will definitely pray. You and I have some things in common, that's for sure. I just lost my Jack, also 15, just a little over two months ago to kidney failure. Nasty nasty way to go. Megaesophagus took my beautiful Merlin back in 2005 so I know how that one goes too, also a horrific illness. One thing I can say is if your beautiful girl is still eating and drinking, she's still not feeling too bad. Is she keeping it down? Keep the fluids going in and be sure you trust your vet to guide you through feeding her the right kinds of food and monitering her, etc. Again, I will keep you both in my prayers. I really feel for you.

Thank you so much, everyone. I always say, I hate that any of us need this website, but thank God it's here.

Keesha and I just got back from the vet. Keesha had to have more fluids, but hopefully that will hold her for awhile. I did talk to the vet, and I feel a lot clearer on what is going on now.

I asked the vet to tell me on a scale of 1-5 where Keesha is, and the vet said probably a 3, but they're hoping to get her down to a 2. She (vet) said that Keesha drinking a lot of water is now her new "normal". The vet said that we need to get Pepcid AC 20 mg and give that to Keesha once a day.

They also took Keesha's blood pressure - it's high. Apparently, her BP should be about 180 and it was 205, so they gave me meds for that.

The vet told me that she has seen many dogs (and cats) who have been diagnosed with kidney failure die of something else. I guess that's her way of saying that death is not imminent.

Merlin96 - I'm so sorry about Jack, and Merlin. We do have a lot in common.

Thank you Jay T!

ceaserthings - you are absolutely right - I treasure every second I have left with my Keesha. I know exactly what you mean.

Sammie girl's mom and patricia - (((hugs))) - thank you so much for the advice and prayers.

Sending love to all.

Thank you.

Jan

I am so sorry to read this, and I am sorry for your pain. I know the feeling you are having. My Gemini was diagnosed with kidney faliure. He stayed at the vets for a few days trying to get his numbers up but lost the battle on June 9th.
I will keep you both in my prayers.

May you find peace in knowing we are never alone in our grief.

I am so sorry about Gemini. Thank you so much for your prayers. You and Gemini are in mine.

dear Jan
I hope things r going well, it's so hard to know what to do, I'm glad u got some more information.
Sometimes we need to stop beating round the bush & ask the questions that are in our hearts as plain as possible (not as easy as it sounds I know). My Buddy has been gone now 16days and it sux, I am so pleased that for now you and your gorgeous Keesha are together.
I'm also glad you shared your story, thank you & I agree thank goodness we can come here & support each other
I will pray for you & your Keesha.
elaine

Oh, dear Elaine - (((hugs to you))) - I am so sorry about your beloved Buddy. Please believe me, I know what you're going through. It is the ultimate "suck"!!! Thank you for your prayers. Wow - all the way from Australia!!

im so glad you have gotten some answers and that you still have your sweet keesha. treasure every second. i would kill to have just one more day with my babies, but if i cant, im glad you can.
sweet keesha, i am praying for you and your momma.

big hugs
patricia

I know what your going thru........It's hard to let go.......You & Keesha are in my prayers.....I put down my Springer down on June 24.....I was there when she took her final breath........I looked into her eyes as she licked my face & then put her head down. I didn't want any stranger looking into her eyes. But my heart is breaking so.....

(((Felicia))) - I'm so sorry to hear about Springer. I wish there were words I could say that would help, but know that I'm sending you love and hugs.

This is the worst part for me. Watching my baby die; trying my best to prolong the inevitable, but knowing this is the end. It is the worst pain.

it sure is jan, i couldn't agree more

Keesha is being helped to the Bridge this morning at 10:30. Please pray for her and strength for me. Thank you.

ETA: Keesha is gone.

Jan,
You are in my prayers today and I will keep you in my thoughts. I am so sorry for your tremendous loss. I know the pain, I feel it for you. Know we are here and will continue to be here whenever you need us. Keep coming back.
Melanie

i am so sorry. i know how hard this is. i will pray that you will have the strength to get over some of the hardest days you will go thru. please know that keesha is with her maker now and he is giving her a big big hug and welcoming her back home.

a big hug to you from patricia

Jan a big {{{HUG}}} to you.
Remember to breathe a long breath out, then a breathe in.
I am so sorry for you, just cos we know it's the right thing doesn't make this any less traumatic....
go gently and let us bathe you in comfort if we can.
elaine xx