14 year old chihuahua with kidney failure

D

Disney Freak Numero Uno

Mouseketeer
Joined
Jul 7, 2000
We recently euthanized our dog and of course Im wondering if we should have hospitalized and treated him. My regular vet said that even with treatment (Iv fluids and anti nausea meds) he would not improve because his kidneys showed signs of chronic disease. The vet I went to for a second opinion said we should hospitalize him at a cost of at least $3,000 with no guarantee that he would feel better. He would not eat or drink and was miserable and that's why we decided to put him to sleep . I would welcome hearing from anyone who dealt with a similar situation . Did we do the right thing?
 
I think it was wise to trust your regular vet. Sending hugs as you work through the loss of your pet. :hug:
 
I would have done what you did. I know it's hard and it is easy to question it. Hugs.
 
No. It is very likely that the kidney problems were just the beginning of what was going to be feeling very sick and in pain from other problems. You might have given your dog a couple more months to live, but they likely would have been very sad and painful months. I know that losing a pet to old age is very painful. Just know that you gave him a very happy life and let yourself grieve without the guilt.
 
My darling fur baby, Happy, went to Rainbow Bridge last Saturday. My heart is breaking and I'm weeping as I type this. She was a 15 year old Tibetan Spaniel who had been struggling with degenerative disc disease for 5 years. With the guidance and support of my vet who loved Happy and whom I trusted completely, I finally knew I had to do what was best for her. Like your sweet angel she was suffering and any other decision would have been completely selfish on my part. Happy died in my arms as I sang to her and told her how much I loved her.

Although I know I did the right thing, it's easy to second guess because it just hurts so much. She was part of the fabric of my life and I will miss her till my dying day. But as sad as I feel, I know she's free now... it was the last gift I could give her. In time, I think I'll be able to think about all we shared together without so much pain. But I told her she needs to be watching for me when I pass over, because I want hers to be the first face I see.

You did the unselfish thing and your dear little one is now running free... maybe even with Happy, my sweet baby girl.
 
Disney Freak Numero Uno said:
We recently euthanized our dog and of course Im wondering if we should have hospitalized and treated him. My regular vet said that even with treatment (Iv fluids and anti nausea meds) he would not improve because his kidneys showed signs of chronic disease. The vet I went to for a second opinion said we should hospitalize him at a cost of at least $3,000 with no guarantee that he would feel better. He would not eat or drink and was miserable and that's why we decided to put him to sleep . I would welcome hearing from anyone who dealt with a similar situation . Did we do the right thing?
Click to expand...


You did the right thing. 2 years ago we dealt with the exact same thing in our 14 yr. old Corgi. We did admit her to the hospital the day she was diagnosed for 1 day of intensive IV treatment (I think it cost $250, so it was worth a try) and we administered some lighter doses at home for about a month through the skin in the back of her neck. However, nothing really got better, it only bought her a couple of weeks. Which is exactly what the vet said would happen. She finally got to the point where she wouldn't eat or drink, was having accidents in the house constantly, and what she did eat came right back up, despite the anti-nausea drugs. At that point, I knew it was time and we put her to sleep. Unfortunately, kidney failure in a dog that age just doesn't get better; much as is the case when it happens in an older human. If your dog was already to the point where he wouldn't eat or drink, then it was time and all the hospital treatment and money thrown at the problem wouldn't have helped. I'm sorry and I know it hurts, but you did exactly what you needed to do.
 
I'm so sorry about your dog. Please don't second guess yourself, you did what you thought was right at the time for him. I would have done the same thing in your situation. Its never an easy decision, you just have to know it was what was best for him :grouphug:
 
I have dealt with two dogs that had kidney failure. One was the slow, chronic failure and one had it very acutely. The vet knows the difference. Anyway, for the acute failure, my dog acted like yours: just out of it, not eating and miserable. We had to euthanize her. The dog that had the chronic troubles demonstrated more things like weight loss and thirst but was not miserable. We treated her at home for almost 2 years with subquetaneous fluids until the failure became more drastic and then it was euthanasia.

For the dog that had the more serious case, I ended up beating myself up because I didn't do something sooner and I feared she suffered too long.

You did the right thing.
 
I went through this same thing with my darling Tink on April 27th of this year. She was a Jack Russell, a month away from turning 13. She was playing and happy and being herself and then suddenly she wasn't. She wouldn't eat, and we knew she was in pain. I took her thinking it was just an infection or something. The vet ran the test and told me she was a very sick little girl. I was also given the option of hospital care, but with not much hope of it helping. I made the heart wrenching decision to help her go home. It was the most miserable day I can remember having in a long, long time. Even now I will cry because I feel guilty and think what if I had gotten her the treatment and she could still be here with us. But in my heart of hearts I know I did what was best for her. Just as you did.

A side note-my 2 darling dogs I've had as an adult was my Tink and a beagle, Phoebe(lost her when she was also 13). I mourned a lot after Tink. My DS,20 happened upon an add for a puppy -a Jack Russel/Beagle mix. He picked him up and brought him home to me on what would have been Tink's bday. I wasn't really ready for that, but my DS said "Mom, I think they sent him to you" So of course I kept him and love him, how could I not. His name is Willie and he's such a little charmer, he really has helped me.

Hugs to you-I know how heart breaking it is.
 
I have a similar story with my 12 year old beagle. He had prior problems with his teeth and had to have some removed. When he stopped eating again and moping around the house I figured it was his teeth again. He was in kidney failure and he declined even from when we walked in the door at the vet's office. It was one of the hardest days of my life, but I knew any other decision would just be selfish on my part. We rescued him years before and he lived a good life. Your baby did the same. It was time, but that doesn't mean you won't second guess everything. My heart hurts for you and others in this thread who have had the same experience.

Hugs to you & everyone who has had this kind of pain.
 
Of course you did the right thing. Please don't second guess.

I hope your heart heals soon and you can find another friend to love.
 
Disney Freak Numero Uno said:
We recently euthanized our dog and of course Im wondering if we should have hospitalized and treated him. My regular vet said that even with treatment (Iv fluids and anti nausea meds) he would not improve because his kidneys showed signs of chronic disease. The vet I went to for a second opinion said we should hospitalize him at a cost of at least $3,000 with no guarantee that he would feel better. He would not eat or drink and was miserable and that's why we decided to put him to sleep . I would welcome hearing from anyone who dealt with a similar situation . Did we do the right thing?
Click to expand...
So sorry for your loss. We experienced the same thing only our little Chi was only 3 years old. We spent over $3,000 + to save him only having to put him to sleep 2 weeks later. We're just wondering if chronic kidney disease is genetic in Chihuahuas.
 
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