Just Need To Talk, dobie dying Options

[monte]

I have a 2yr old dobie. His name is Monte. He was the only one out of 10 to live. He was tube fed. He has been my life. Growing up my life hasn't been that great. I lost my 21 year old cat buddy last year. If he wasn't here< I don't think I would be here either. He is so gentle and afraid of his own shadow. We hang out more than my husband and I. lol. I had his blood work done and his bun is at 164. red count 14. Creatinine 2.6 The vet said he has weeks to months to live. Which doesn't make since. He eats very well. He sucks a blanket. He done this since he was born. He loves to go on car rides. He doesn't like the cold. He has always been thin. I figured he has been getting bored inside due to the cold weather. But if I take him to the pet store he gets all excited, but you can tell he is just bummed. I would even try a transplant, but both kidneys are bad. I pray day and night. I am so scared. I don't think I can handle waiting and watching for him to start getting worse. Everyone calls him more human than a dog. We are to peas in a pod. He won't do or go anything or anywhere unless its with me. What hurts alot is you look at his eyes and he knows something is wrong, and tries to say ( hey what is going on). He is waiting for me to do something. I honestly don't think I can Handle this. He has made me open my eyes to life and love. I don't think I will make it without him. I got another appointment with another vet Thursday for a second opinion. I just don,t know what to do.

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[freddie]

Dearest Monte my heart goes out to you please don't think you are the only one going thru this horrible time .Try to take one day at a time and cherish everymoment you have together he knows how much you love him i can't tell you what to do as i have not been in your situation but i know the pain and worry you are going thru try to be kind to your self it sounds like you are in for a rough time but please remember that everyone here is to support you thru this difficult time please take care of your self and try not to be to upset around monte as he will pick up on your sadness i know this from the tragic death of our baby Freddie the other dogs where freaked out more because i was so upset it has taken me 5 weeks to sort myself out and be here for the rest of my babies .Make sure you go to another vet for a second opinion it can't hurt !. please let us know what happens we all care so much here !

Thinking of you always hear to talk if you need to

Love Freddies dad Warren *********

[toonie]

Monte is just gorgeous, slim but that is part of his charm and I can see all that you say about him, his enthusiasm for life, his 'good human' ways. You've come to the right place, we will try and see you through this, we will support whatever you want to or have to do. We don't all know how to deal with your dog's health issues but some here will and we will be there whenever you want to talk.
I think you are very wise to see another vet, see what that one has to say. And I think the way to go is one day at a time, not always easy but I think you sound like a very logical person, Monte is in good hands, why it is that you were assigned to see him through, this is one of the mysteries of life, but know that it will make you an even better person than the wonderful human being that you already are, life is mysterious that way. I am so so sorry that you lost your 21 year old cat only last year, I am sure that this soul is still and will be right by you to give you the strenght and courage that you need. May the rest of your life bring you a wonderful harvest of treasures and beauty, you deserve it already. Hug Monte and lead him like you always have, what a lucky dog, despite his issues. Hugs to you, such a beautiful person despite your own difficult childhood. When all will have been said and done, you will find that your harvest was more than you could ever hope for, meanwhile courage and take care.
WE care. Hang in there.

[katzen11]

your dog Monte is such an adorable "dobie"
i am sorry i cannot provide help with the medical treatment of renal disease of dogs, i am just learning more about that with cats ( my cat Jim`s creatinin is 1.6 since the year 2000, so i was very glad to hear about special treatment in the US )
good luck for thursday
Eva

[LoveThem]

That is a precious picture! It sounds as though his quality of life is okay right now. I would definitely be talking to vets and most of all I would be asking (since they see these things all the time).....what signs should I look for, what can we do for him, and if there is no cure....what symptoms are most important and how often should he see the vet to have his condition checked?

You could Google on the Internet about dogs and kidneys and see what information is out there. You might look in this forum under Sickness to see what animals had kidney disease and maybe see some information there.

And, most of all, you can ask the vet what he thinks might be a symptom that he feels would be the time to start thinking about Monte's future.

From what you have said so far, it really sounds as if he is not in pain or suffering and that gives you the most precious gift of all.......time with him.

Hopefully, you will soon have more suggestions here and from your vet or vets.
Please keep us updated. Talking about it will help you and we are listening.

Take Care and give Monte a hug....a BIG ONE!

[Ramona]

For Monte -
It has been a little over a year since I lost my Nikki. She also was more human then dog. Her loss was sudden and unexpected. I know how you feel. Monte looks like a real sweetheart. This site was a real blessing for me as I hope it will be for you. At times like this you especially need people who understand your pain.

Take care and give Monte a big hug!

[Beaglegirl]

I lost my Tuff to chronic renal failure. There is no treatment, there is no cure, and transplants are not an option because they are rarely effective in dogs, and remember, for your dog to have a chance at surgery, they have to cause another animal pain to remove a kidney.
There are supportive things you can do, special diet limiting the phosphorus, phosphate binders, subcutaneous fluids, etc.
You are welcome to private message me if you want.
My dog went for two QUALITY years before I was forced to euthanize him. When he was whining in pain, couldn't get comfortable, and couldn't eat due to lack of appet*ite, OR if he did eat he vomited. When his quality of life wasn't up to what he was used to, I let him go.
But you can still buy some time. My dogs creatinine level was 10 and his BUN 176 before he really acted sick. BUT, every dog is different, some are miserable with lower numbers.
I also gave injections of flocillin during his beginning stages, and pepcid injections, oops, almost forgot, centrine injections as needed.

The most important thing for me was to make every day a special day. I hated poking him twice daily with his fluids during his last week, but I was desperate to get his numbers down. When the numbers didn't come down, and he was miserable, it was time.

You didn't cause this, you COULD NOT have prevented this, and this is NOT your fault.
Also get a second opinion, we would NEVER tell an owner to give up hope on their beloved pet. But at the office where I work, we are honest, and if a pet is dying we let the owner know the truth. In reality there really is nothing that can be done, but as an owner and veterinary worker I wanted to make an effort to keep my pet as happy as possible for as long as possible. We can not stop death, it is coming. But our hopes are to trick it for awhile ONLY if it buys quality, not a quant*ity of time.
Cats handle renal insufficiency MUCH better than dogs, and they can go longer. Unfortunately, dogs get to a point and crash. PM me if needed.
I'm so sorry!!!!!

[Hailey-Comet]

Hi Monte!
Your dobie is absolutely beautiful! I'm so sorry to hear about the scary diagnosis. Actually, I went through a similar situation...except it was with my cat and he was 3.


A few months before he turned 4, I noticed that he had lost a lot of weight and wasn't acting like himself. I hurried him to the vet where I was told that he had been born with kidnies that were too small. They worked as long as they could but now they were shutting down. He was given from weeks to 1 year to live. The vet recommended some perscription cat food (Science Diet K-D) that is easier processed by the kidnies. We switched him immediately and waited.

But then he started to gain the weight back. And he was playing and enjoying life again. Slowly his kiney function began to improve. Within 2 years him lab values were on the low end of normal range!

He was my miracle kitty. His 1 year to live was actually 7! The disease finally claimed him a few weeks before we would have turned 11.

I'm not an expert, but that food saved (significantly prolonged) Comet's life. I know they make a dog version too. It can't hurt to try.

In the mean time...enjoy your baby's life and try not to dwell on his death.

[myhrtisbrkn]

What a beautiful pup. By all means get a second opinion, and keep us posted. Meanwhile, hugs to you and your precious boy. I will be remembering you both in my prayers.

Mack and Sadies' Mom.
Dayna

[goliath]

Your love for Monte comes through your words of love and concern for him. When we seek for answers in how we can best provide care for our loved furry kids, a second opinion, or even more only shows just how much we love and care for them. Different vets often have different views on disease and how best to treat.

I hope the second vet you have sought can provide you with a more optimistic future for you and Monte to share. Enjoy and love Monte one day at a time. He knows how much you love him and he loves and trusts you as well.

Take care.