NMR but would welcome advice.

[ParentsofVegas]

Our senior boy Lab Ninja is real sick. Really came on quick.
We had him in to vet for a look see for low appetite on thursday,
Found nothing but told us to bring him in for blood work
if unchanged or worse. Well today was worse.
He is probably dealing with Kidney failure, pending
blood results. Dam why does this stuff always happen
on the weekend. As of this AM he was still drinking on
his own, but this eve he is now refusing water.
Anyone with experience with this?
How best to get water in?
Can we use a syringe orally without him aspirating?

 

[ruthcatrin]

You can use a syringe, just be carefull and dribble it at first so you know how he's going to react.

If he'll allow you to syringe water try some home-made chicken broth (or meat of your choice) with little/no salt or other seasonings, cooled of course, to see if you can get some nutrients into him.

 

[ParentsofVegas]

Thanks Ruth.
Managed to get a few ounces in to him.
My biggest concern is to not miss if he is in pain.
He seems lethargic but fully cognisant but does not seem
to be hurting.
I know at his age we are probably headed for the bridge,
and I will do anything to help us have more time, but
not if he is in pain.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Yah, there comes a point where you just aim for his comfort.

I will say that my older cat survived for 2years with apparently little pain after her diagnosis of failing kidneys. It'll depend on how far gone they really are and if they've triggered anything else to go.

 

[musicdeb]

I'm sorry to hear about Ninja. One of pups died from kidney failure within 2 weeks of the diagnosis. His bun and creatinine were off the charts.

We, as humans, want to do what we can to prolong the inevitable. IMO, I should have let my pup go before the 2 weeks because it's a horrible death.

 

[ParentsofVegas]

He does not seem to be having pain right now,
Not to open a wound how was it bad,what where the signs.
Want to keep trying at least till we get blood results,
But don't wont to have him hurting.

 

[musicdeb]

First, he refused food and water. Then it progressed to he could not go potty. Eventually, he was unable to walk at all. I could see it in his eyes that he was asking me to let him go but I couldn't. I was being selfish and wanted him to stay just a little bit longer. He died in my arms as I laid on the living room floor with him. First time in my life I had a pup die in my arms. Pretty devastating experience.

Like I said, I should have euthanized him when the vet told me that it was time.

 

[ParentsofVegas]

Thanks Deb.
Really just trying to keep him as comfortable
as I can till we can get a confirmed diagnosis.
I know that he is not a happy boy right now,
but he has fought a good fight before, so I
don't want to pts only to find out that he could
have been helped.
He started out with us as a parvo pup and beat the
odds. He had a blockage at 3 yr and also came back strong
from acl tear. We will give him a chance for another day or two
but if the vet confirms the worst I will help him across the bridge
Quickly with his people around him as he goes.

 

[Penelope's Mom]

I have nothing to add except I'm sorry you're going through this.

 

[ruthcatrin]

if the vet confirms the worst I will help him across the bridge
Quickly with his people around him as he goes.

Sometimes its all you can do. And its hell.....

We were lucky enough with my cat that we caught her kidney problems early, as part of the diagnosis of her thyroid problems, so we were able to manage things to keep her comfortable. It was still hell when she deteriorated to the point of no return.

 

[ParentsofVegas]

Yea It pretty much feels like hell.
He still has strength to walk (mainly away from
me stuffing ice chips in his jowels), and even
claimed his ball from Vegas so I still have
to give him my best effort. I figure we will
get him to vet in the AM to IV Hydrate him
and then wait for blood result to come back.
Glad for the support of the folks on this board.
Thanks.

 

[JayHT]

I would ask about his creatin levels in his blood. If they are not good, he needs fluids...even salty fluids to help him retain a lil. Try some broth, maybe add a lil sea salt. Fluids before solid food. Also, let him rest. if he is uncomfortable, its ok to give him a lil benadryl to help him rest.

 

[musicdeb]

Yea It pretty much feels like hell.
He still has strength to walk (mainly away from
me stuffing ice chips in his jowels), and even
claimed his ball from Vegas so I still have
to give him my best effort. I figure we will
get him to vet in the AM to IV Hydrate him
and then wait for blood result to come back.
Glad for the support of the folks on this board.
Thanks.View attachment 28376

Just do the best you can do that will help the pup. Keep us posted.

 

[ParentsofVegas]

Well I switched to using a big syringe for the water and definitely
getting more in that way. Over the last 8 hours we have gotten
almost a qt of pedialyte in plus a small jar of baby food.
Going to start to alternate the broth in.
He seems a bit better. His gums and skin have some fill again.
He is also peeing more.
Thanks again all.

 

[angelbears]

Glad to hear about his progress. Wishing you all the best.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Good! Its a start!

 

[Iymala]

Glad to hear the progress. The pedialyte and baby food was a great idea.

Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

[ParentsofVegas]

Both me and Bernadette work in nursing homes and yet it took me till tonight
To think of grabbing some thickened water from work.

 

[musicdeb]

How's he doing this morning?

 

[ParentsofVegas]

Well the Vet Call did not go as expected.
His blood only shows elevated white cells
all other values normal. Low on the range
for thyroid but still in range. Meanwhile
Last night he gained ground on fluid intake and
this morning he lined up for the good morning treat.
Bottom line seems that we are dealing with some type of
infection. The glazed over look has disappeared and
I hopefully think that he is on the comeback trail.