My fifteen year old miniature poodle appears to

[roody]

have renal failure. He blood tests in August showed lowered kidney functioning and the vet prescribed k/d prescription food. He has always been a picky eater and willingly fasts rather than eating something he doesn't like. For the past three months I have cooked him organic chicken, and ground beef, lamb, or pork. Now he is only eating every other day. He has been walking at half pace for a month. Last night he seemed to want to eat something, but he just couldn't get it into his mouth.
My goal has been to keep him comfortable and carry him or walk a little bit for stimulation. He will not walk away from the house, but if I carry him a ways, he will walk back slowly. He no longer barks or cries.
Should I allow him to fast until he dies? I am not interested in life prolonging treatments. He is elderly and has had a long and happy life. If we go to the vet, the vet will tell me what I already know. I need advice.

[Longhorn]

1. My 17-1/2 year old Cocker/Golden mix died that way.

He only quit eating on the last day or so but he lost control of his bowels. He didn't seem to be in pain but I did some checking around and found some information at the Texas A&M Veterinary School site (that I haven't been able to find since!) that offered advice about when to have a pet euthanized. One statement was that animals can be in pain without showing it so the lack of crying or groaning doesn't mean they aren't in pain. Sandy slept most of the time and took no interest in anything around him, though when we walked through the yard with him before we took him to the vet, he did seem to enjoy it, which, in a way, made it harder, since we started to have second thoughts.

I don't think it is ever easy to make the decision, not just because we're going to miss them, but because we don't want to lose them a minute too soon, nor let them suffer a minute too long. I think your vet will be honest with you about whether waiting will cause your dog to suffer. Whatever decision you make is clearly out of love for your little guy. I wish you the best. :hug:

[roody]

2. Thanks. I keep wondering if I should take him

to the vet and get the fluids, etc. to prolong his life or let things go their way naturally. This is his second day of refusing food, even plain chicken broth (homemade) and soy milk. He still drinks water.

[roody]

5. The vet came over and euthanized Roody this afternoon.

It was definitely time for Roody to have a rest from discomfort and pain. He is in the backyard now, very close to his old companeros, a cat and another dog he and I shared ten years with. It is very quiet here tonight.

[Longhorn]

7. I'm so sorry.

I think it's wonderful that the vet came to your house so that Roody didn't have to be stressed and could pass in his own home with those who loved him. I really feel for you. :hug:

[livetohike]

3. Wishing you both the best roody

:hug: I lost my 16 year old lab/shepherd mix Ranger to kidney failure. I thought I could save him.....and wish the vet would have told me what to expect - that is, that Ranger would starve to death. I thought I could turn him around. I was giving him subQ fluids myself and he was such a good boy, he never flinched. From the day he was diagnosed to the day he died was only three weeks.

He was eating very little. I tried everything and I think he only took a few bites to make me feel better. There is a yahoo group K9Kidneys (or something like that). There are people on that board who are/were treating their dogs and they were very helpful and supportive to me.

We knew it was the end when Ranger went outside and collapsed as he was trying to urinate. We took him to the vet and were with him when he was put to sleep. Looking back (it was 2003), I don't think I would have done it differently. I really felt I had to try and help him.

[roody]

4. Thanks. I've decided not to do the subQ

thing to have a few more weeks of Roody---that is HIS name. I'm sure that I will know when it is time for euthanasia. I am going to have the vet come to my house. This is only day 2 of no eating. 3 days ago he ate "a lot" of chicken and broth---homecooked.

[roody]

6. Roody was euthanized today in his own bed. He is now

buried in the backyard with his fellow pets who preceded him.

[Coyote_Bandit]

8. .

:hug:

I have a renal dog and I dread the day I will be called upon to make the same decision.

You did the best you could for him. Thank you.

[Suziq]

10. I Am SO Sorry

RIP Roody . . . . :cry:

[ginnyinWI]

11. sympathies.

We lost our 18 year old cat to heart/kidney failure a week ago this morning. He had been acting similar to your dog, in a decline for the last six months, no energy, losing a lot of weight, losing clumps of hair, and becoming a picky eater for the first time ever. He was on a heart pill twice a day. I had to get really creative finding things that he would enjoy eating. Finally, during the last several days, he had almost stopped eating and drinking even his favorite foods (raw chicken liver and Half 'n Half), and we found him dead last Thursday morning. By the looks of it he had just laid down on the floor, exhausted, and breathed his last.

This kitty was born in our house and lived all his life with us--18 years is a long time. Our youngest was in the first grade back then, and now is 25, out on her own. The house does seem very empty now. No pets except for the aquarium. We'll eventually get a new kitty after we do some long-delayed traveling. A pet makes a house feel like home.

[livetohike]

12. I'm sorry roody......

:hug: I hope all the good memories you have of roody's life will help ease the sadness.

[smokey nj]

14. I'm so sorry roody

:hug: RIP Roody :cry:

[blondie58]

9. I am so sorry for your loss

but 15 is a good age and I'm sure that you gave him many wonderful years of happiness. I think that we all second guess our decisions to put them down, but it sounds like it was time.

[Zoigal]

13. Loosing a beloved pet is never easy.

You have my sincere sympathy. z